LG Dishwasher AE Error Code – Meaning, Causes & Fixes
The AE error code on an LG dishwasher stands for 'Aqua Error' — a water leak detection signal. When the dishwasher's flood sensor at the base detects water where it shouldn't be, it immediately stops the cycle and displays this code to prevent water damage to your floor or cabinetry. LG's flood protection system uses a float switch in the base drip tray: as soon as water rises in the tray, the float lifts, activates a microswitch, and the machine shuts down. While the AE code may sound alarming, it does not always indicate a serious internal failure. In many cases the cause is a one-time event — an oversudsing episode, a machine that was recently moved, or a minor door seal drip. Understanding how the protection system works helps you diagnose and clear it correctly the first time.
What it means
Water leak detected by the base sensor (Aqua Error). The dishwasher has halted to prevent flooding.
Severity
ModerateCan you fix it yourself?
Often yes — check for overfilling, door seal issues, or tipped machine first.
Call a technician when
If the base is visibly wet and no external cause is found, or if the pump seal is damaged.
What Does AE Mean?
The AE code (Aqua Error) is triggered when LG's leak detection sensor — located in the drip tray at the bottom of the dishwasher — detects the presence of water. This is a safety mechanism designed to stop the machine before water can escape onto your kitchen floor or damage surrounding cabinetry. The sensor is a float switch: when water collects in the base tray, the float rises and activates the fault signal to the control board. The machine halts mid-cycle, locks the controls, and waits.
Critically, the AE error may persist even after the root cause of the water ingress has been resolved. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the AE code: the water still sitting in the base tray keeps the float switch elevated. The control board sees an active fault and will not clear it until the base tray is physically drained. Simply unplugging the machine, waiting, and plugging it back in will not resolve AE if there is still standing water in the base — the float is still raised.
This is why the primary fix for AE is always to drain the base tray first, then investigate where the water came from. The sequence matters: drain first, diagnose second.
What Causes This Error?
- Water sitting in the base drip tray from a previous minor overflow or suds event — the most common and often overlooked cause; the water did not escape the machine but triggered the sensor regardless
- Overfilling caused by a faulty or stuck-open water inlet valve allowing water to rise beyond the tub and spill into the base
- Damaged, cracked, or compressed door gasket allowing wash water to escape from the door perimeter and drip into the base during high-pressure cycles
- Loose or cracked internal hose connections — supply hoses, drain hoses, or the sump housing connections that can develop slow drips over time
- Detergent oversudsing — using non-dishwasher detergent (hand dish soap, laundry detergent) creates excessive foam that overflows from the tub into the base cavity
- Drain pump seal failure allowing water to seep past the pump shaft seal and accumulate in the base
- Machine was tilted, moved during delivery, or recently installed — residual water in hoses can slosh into the base during transport
How to Fix AE
- 1
Cancel the current cycle and turn off the dishwasher at the control panel. Open the door fully to release any remaining steam pressure and let the interior cool for 2–3 minutes before handling.
- 2
Place old towels generously on the floor in front of the dishwasher. Carefully tilt the entire machine forward at approximately 45 degrees — you may need a second person to do this safely, especially on built-in models. Hold the tilt for 30–60 seconds. This allows water in the base tray to run forward and out onto the towels.
- 3
Return the machine to upright. Remove the lower kick plate at the front bottom of the machine (usually two screws or press-and-pull clips). Use dry towels or a sponge to absorb any remaining moisture in the base cavity. The float switch must be able to drop back to its resting position for the code to clear.
- 4
Wait 15–20 minutes with the machine unplugged for the base to dry further. Then restore power and run a short rinse-only cycle while standing by to watch for any visible dripping from the door, under the machine, or from the hose area at the back.
- 5
If the machine ran only with standard dishwasher detergent and you had AE for the first time, oversudsing is unlikely. But check the detergent you used — if it was hand soap, multi-purpose cleaner, or any non-dishwasher product, that is the cause. Run a plain rinse cycle with no detergent to flush suds from the system.
- 6
Inspect the door gasket by running a finger slowly around the full perimeter of the rubber seal. Press on different sections — it should feel uniformly firm and pliable. Any cracked, torn, hardened, or noticeably compressed section needs replacement. Door gaskets for LG dishwashers typically cost $15–$40 and are model-specific.
- 7
If AE clears after the tilt-and-drain procedure and does not return on the test cycle, the repair is complete. If AE returns within one or two cycles, water is actively entering the base from an internal source and requires component-level investigation.
When to Call a Professional
Contact an LG-authorized technician if AE returns after draining the base and running a test cycle, if you observe water actively dripping into the base during a live cycle (visible through the kick plate opening), or if door gasket replacement does not resolve the issue. A damaged drain pump seal, cracked sump housing, or faulty inlet valve requires diagnosis with the machine operating — the only way to identify a slow active drip. Expect $100–$200 for a diagnostic visit; individual parts like pump seals or inlet valves typically add $50–$150 in parts cost.
Can You Still Use the Device?
No. Do not run the dishwasher while the AE error is active. The machine halts specifically to prevent water from reaching your kitchen floor and the surrounding cabinetry. Running it manually or resetting it repeatedly without addressing the root cause risks real water damage. Drain the base first, identify the source, then resume use.
See Also
Official Resources
Related Error Codes
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional repair advice. CodeExplain is not affiliated with LG or any other brand mentioned. Always consult a qualified technician for complex repairs.