LG Dishwasher tE — What It Means & How to Fix It
The unit measured water at an impossible temperature or its sensor failed outright — beyond one reset, this is heater-circuit territory that belongs to a technician.
What this code means
tE is LG's thermal error for dishwashers, raised when the water reads above roughly 194°F (90°C) or when the thermistor returns out-of-range values. Either the heater is overrunning or the measurement is broken; both sit on mains wiring in the base of the unit, which closes the DIY conversation quickly.
tE differs from HE: HE flags the heating circuit failing to heat, tE flags temperature readings beyond plausibility. Both end at the same place — a professional with a multimeter.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Faulty thermistor returning extreme readings | Common | No — technician job |
| Heater relay stuck, genuinely overheating the water | Occasional | No — technician job |
| One-off sensor glitch | Occasional | Yes — one breaker reset |
| Control board fault | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Cut power at the breaker for two minutes, restore, and run a short cycle — a lone glitched reading clears here.
- If tE returns, stop using the unit and book service. Genuinely overheating water warps plastics and stresses every seal in the machine.
- Note for the technician whether recent loads came out unusually hot or steamy — history separates a lying sensor from an overrunning heater.
- Resist running repeat test cycles; if the heater really is overrunning, every run cooks the tub a little more.
When to call a technician
- A second tE after the reset — the single user-side check is spent.
- Visible steam, a hot door, or warped items on the racks.
- tE alternating with HE, confirming the fault lives in the heating circuit.
Typical professional repair cost: Thermistor replacement typically runs $120–$230 with labor; heater or board work $200–$400.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature triggers the LG tE error?
Around 194°F (90°C) — hotter than any cycle legitimately runs. Sanitize peaks sit comfortably below it, so the threshold only trips when sensing or heating control has genuinely failed.
Could very hot supply water set off tE?
Household water heaters top out near 140°F, well under the threshold, so supply alone can't do it. No adjustment to your home's hot water will clear a recurring tE.
Why can't I just replace the sensor myself?
The thermistor sits at the sump alongside the heater on mains wiring, reached by tipping and opening the sealed base. The part is cheap; the access and the live-circuit testing are why this one goes to a professional.
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 AE 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.
- 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 Dishwasher IE Ten minutes of filling didn't raise the water level enough — almost always a supply problem between the shut-off valve and the unit rather than a failed part.
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