LG Dishwasher AE Error Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
The AE error code on an LG dishwasher means Leakage Error — the safety float switch in the base detected water where it shouldn't be, and the machine stopped to prevent flooding. The most common causes are a dishwasher that isn't level, a loose door gasket, or the wrong detergent causing oversudsing — all checkable without a technician.
What Causes the AE Code
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher not level | Common | Easy — adjust with a digital level | — |
| Door gasket came loose or fell off | Common | Easy — reseat gasket | Door liner assembly |
| Wrong detergent used (dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent) | Common | Easy — switch detergent | — |
| Too much water in the tub (inlet valve or air guide fault) | Less common | Moderate | Inlet valve / air guide |
| Leak at drain hose, pump casing, or vario motor seal | Less common | Moderate — inspect seals | Pump casing assembly |
| Safety float switch stuck | Rare | Moderate — check switch | Floater / safety switch assembly |
| Main control board fault | Rare | Pro repair | Main PCB assembly |
How to Fix the AE Error, Step by Step
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Check that the dishwasher is level
Use a digital level on the tub opening, front-to-back and side-to-side. An unlevel unit is one of the most common causes of AE and can also make the water level look wrong on the Normal cycle indentations.
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Check the door gasket
Open the door and inspect the door liner gasket for any section that has come loose or fallen off its track — reseat it fully around the frame.
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Confirm you're using dishwasher detergent
Regular dish soap oversudses and can trigger a leakage-like water event. Use dishwasher-specific detergent only.
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Tilt-check the base for standing water
If the customer reports the door was opened mid-cycle, or AE keeps appearing, technicians drain and inspect the base: check the seals on the drain hose, pump casing, and vario motor for the actual leak point.
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Check the safety float switch
If water is found flooding the base with no visible external leak, the safety switch assembly itself may be stuck and needs replacement.
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Check for overfilling
If there's too much water in the tub itself (not the base), the inlet valve or air guide may be letting in more water than the cycle calls for — replace the inlet valve/air guide, or the main PCB if that doesn't resolve it.
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Document the pattern before calling for service
LG's own repair checklist asks: is the unit level, is the mounting bracket installed correctly, what detergent and rinse-aid are used, how many cycles since AE first appeared, which cycle is used most, water supply temperature, and whether the door was opened mid-cycle. Having these answers ready speeds up a technician visit.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the LG dishwasher service manuals covering LDF5545ST (2015+) and LDT7808ST — both use the identical AE/leakage diagnostic tree.
Related codes on the same platform: OE — drain error; IE — inlet/water-fill error; BE — a separate oversudsing ("bubble") condition, distinct from the detergent-related suds cause listed above under AE. Full list: all LG dishwasher error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to run the dishwasher again after an AE error?
Not until you've found and fixed the cause. AE means water was detected in the base — running another cycle risks the same leak recurring or worsening before it's addressed.
Can using the wrong detergent really cause an AE code?
Yes. Regular dish soap oversudses, and excess suds/water behavior can trigger the same leakage-style detection as a real leak — always use dishwasher-specific detergent.
Why does AE keep coming back after I level the machine?
If leveling doesn't clear it, check the door gasket next, then the drain hose/pump casing/vario motor seals — those are the next most common sources in the service manual's own diagnostic order.
How do I clear the AE code once the leak is fixed?
Dry out the base, power the dishwasher off and back on, and run a normal cycle while watching the base for any recurrence.
Based on the LG service documentation for the LDF5545ST and LDT7808ST dishwasher series. Last updated: .