LG Dishwasher AE — What It Means & How to Fix It
The leak sensor in the base of the dishwasher detected water — the unit goes into a protective drain mode, and the cause ranges from oversudsing to a genuine seal failure.
What this code means
AE is LG's leakage error: moisture reached the float or leak sensor in the drip pan under the tub. The dishwasher typically responds by running its drain pump continuously to protect your floor. Real leaks (hose joints, sump gasket, a cracked spray-arm path) cause it — but so do foam overflows from the wrong detergent and water sloshed into the base when the unit was tilted during a move.
AE is the leak code on LG dishwashers; some models show E1 for closely related leak/overflow conditions. If you see E1 instead, the checks below still apply, but confirm against your model's manual.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Oversudsing — wrong detergent or hand dish soap used | Common | Yes — purge the foam |
| Residual water in the base after moving or tilting the unit | Common | Yes — dry out |
| Loose hose connection at the supply or drain | Occasional | Partly — visible fittings |
| Failed sump seal, door gasket, or internal hose | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Switch the unit off at the breaker and close the supply valve under the sink. If the drain pump is running nonstop, cutting power stops it.
- Check around and under the front of the unit. If the floor is dry and the code began after the unit was moved or after someone used the wrong soap, suspect a false-positive in the base pan.
- If suds were involved, scoop visible foam from the tub, then restore power and run a rinse-only cycle once or twice to purge residue.
- Hand-check the supply connection under the sink and the drain hose clamp for snugness — only what's reachable without pulling the unit out.
- Leave power off overnight so the base pan evaporates dry, then run a test cycle and watch for fresh water beneath the unit.
When to call a technician
- Fresh water appears under the unit during the test cycle — close the valve and book a repair; an internal seal or hose has failed.
- AE returns after every complete dry-out with no suds in the story.
- The drain pump self-activates repeatedly over days, meaning the sensor keeps finding new water.
Typical professional repair cost: Expect $75–$150 for diagnosis; internal seal or hose repairs commonly total $150–$350.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my LG dishwasher keep running a pump even when the cycle is off?
That's the anti-flood response to the AE condition — the unit drains any water the leak sensor finds. It stops once the base pan is dry, or immediately if you cut power at the breaker.
Can I tilt the dishwasher to empty the base pan?
Pulling and tilting a plumbed-in dishwasher risks straining the supply line and scratching floors, and on some models the panels expose sharp edges. Letting the pan dry with power off — overnight, usually — is the safer route. If you must move it, get the supply disconnected first.
Someone used regular dish soap in the machine — is that really enough to cause AE?
Absolutely. Hand soap foams up enormously, escapes the tub through vents and seals, and lands in the base pan where the sensor sits. It's one of the most common 'mystery leak' stories technicians encounter.
Related LG codes
- LG Dishwasher OE The dishwasher can't drain its water — check the internal filter, the drain hose, and (after a new disposal install) the knockout plug everyone forgets to remove.
- LG Dishwasher HE The dishwasher's water heating system isn't working as expected — and because it involves a high-wattage heater on mains power, this is one to hand to a technician.
- LG Washer OE Your LG washer couldn't pump the water out within its time limit — start with the drain pump filter behind the lower front panel, which fixes most OE errors.
- LG Washer IE Water isn't reaching the drum fast enough — usually a tap, hose, or inlet-screen issue you can sort out in a few minutes rather than a failed component.
More: all LG dishwasher codes · all LG codes · search by symptom