LG Dishwasher Error Code AE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026

⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Also shown as: E1

Leakage detected — water found in base tray

The most common cause of the AE error on a LG dishwasher is door seal damaged or worn (~35% of cases); start with: find and drain the base tray.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$100 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$320 Save $150+ by doing it yourself

LG Dishwasher error code AE on the display panel — How the AE code appears on a LG dishwasher display

What Does Error Code AE Mean on a LG Dishwasher?

Leakage detected — water found in base tray.

AE (also shown as E1) fires when the anti-flood float in the base tray rises, tripping a microswitch that tells the control board water has collected under the tub. The board then runs the drain pump and locks out further cycles to prevent flooding. Unlike OE, which flags a drain-out failure, AE specifically indicates water escaping into the base — from a leaking seal, hose, overfill, or cracked sump — rather than water failing to leave the tub.

Models affected: LG dishwashers with a base-tray anti-flood float sensor (most full-size models, including LDFN4542S, LDTS5552S, and LDF5545ST)

What owners report: Owners commonly report AE appearing mid-cycle or at startup, sometimes after overfilling rinse aid, using too much or the wrong detergent (excess sudsing), or a one-time hose splash. A frequent quick win is drying the base tray fully and reseating a loose drain-hose connection; if it clears and doesn't return, the trigger was often minor.

What Causes Error Code AE?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Door seal damaged or worn 35% of cases
2

Loose water supply or drain hose connection 30% of cases
3

Overfill from stuck water inlet valve 20% of cases
4

Cracked tub or sump assembly 15% of cases

How to Fix LG Dishwasher Error Code AE

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Find and drain the base tray

Tilt the dishwasher slightly forward (with power off) to drain water from the base. Use towels.
2

Check the door seal

Run your hand along the entire door gasket. Replace if cracked, torn, or detached.

🔩 LG dishwasher door seal ($25–$55)
3

Check all hose connections

Inspect supply line, drain hose, and internal hose connections inside the door for looseness.
4

Inspect the tub

With the unit emptied, look for cracks in the plastic tub, especially at the sump area.

How to Reset Error Code AE

The AE code will clear automatically once the base tray is dry and the source of the leak is fixed. Run a short cycle to confirm no recurrence.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full LG dishwasher reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Dishwasher leaking →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If no external leak source is found, the tub or pump housing may have a hairline crack requiring professional inspection.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$320

Related Error Codes

Drain error — dishwasher not draining

⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code AE appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows AE →

Samsung Washing Machine AE

Communication error — main and sub control boards not talking

Samsung Dryer AE

Communication error — internal signal failure

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your LG Dishwasher:

🔩

Search PartSelect

LG Dishwasher repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More LG Dishwasher Error Codes

IE Water inlet error — not filling with water FE Water overflow — overfill protection triggered HE Heater failure — water not heating tE Temperature sensor failure LE Leakage detected — flood protection activated CE Motor/pump over-current error

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my LG Dishwasher when error AE appears? +

It is not advisable. The dishwasher may still power on, but running it while AE is active can worsen the leak fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.

What most commonly causes AE on a LG Dishwasher? +

Across reported LG dishwasher repairs, the most frequent is door seal damaged or worn (35% of cases), loose water supply or drain hose connection (30%), then overfill from stuck water inlet valve (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

AE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored AE fault; if it returns, the leak problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — find and drain the base tray, then check the door seal — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix LG Dishwasher error AE? +

A DIY repair typically runs $0–$100 in parts, versus $150–$320 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which LG Dishwasher models show error AE? +

AE is documented on LG dishwashers with a base-tray anti-flood float sensor (most full-size models, including LDFN4542S, LDTS5552S, and LDF5545ST). Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• LG Support — Help Library — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

← All LG Dishwasher Error Codes ← All LG Error Codes