How to Reset an LG Dishwasher
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
The fastest way to reset an LG dishwasher mid-cycle is the Cancel function — holding Start for three seconds activates the drain pump and cancels the cycle, then shuts the unit off. If the display is unresponsive or an error persists after that, LG's documentation calls for a full power reset at the circuit breaker.
Which Reset to Use
| Situation | What to do | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle running, want to stop and clear it | Press and hold Start for 3 seconds (Cancel function) | Drain pump activates, cycle cancels, power turns off |
| Buttons not responding to presses | Check whether Control Lock is active; deactivate it | Control Lock must be off before any new cycle can start |
| Error code won't clear after Cancel | Full power reset at the circuit breaker | Clears the control board's held state |
| Need to verify a component after a repair | Enter Test Mode (Power, then Start) | Steps through parts one by one — see the error codes hub for the full sequence |
How to Reset It, Step by Step
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Try the Cancel function first
Press and hold the Start button for three seconds. Per LG's documentation, this activates the drain pump, cancels the running cycle, and turns the unit's power off.
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Check that Control Lock isn't active
If the panel doesn't respond to button presses at all, Control Lock may be engaged — deactivate it before trying to start a new cycle.
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If an error code stays on the display after Cancel, do a full power reset
Turn off power to the dishwasher at the house circuit breaker, wait a moment, then restore power. This clears the control board's held state in a way a simple Cancel doesn't.
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Start a new cycle to confirm the reset worked
Close the door and press Start (or press Start first and close the door within four seconds) to begin a normal cycle.
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If the error immediately returns
The fault is still present — go to that specific error code's own page rather than repeating the reset, since resetting only clears the display, not the underlying cause.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented across the LG LDF5545ST / LDT7808ST / LDF6810 dishwasher series. The Cancel-via-Start-hold behavior and Control Lock function are consistent across these models' service documentation.
See also: LG dishwasher OE · Kenmore dishwasher not draining. Full list: all LG dishwasher error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cancel a running cycle on an LG dishwasher?
Press and hold Start for three seconds. The drain pump activates, the cycle cancels, and the unit powers off.
My LG dishwasher buttons aren't responding at all — what's wrong?
Check whether Control Lock is active. It has to be deactivated before you can start (or cancel) a cycle.
Does resetting clear the error code for good?
Only if the underlying cause is already fixed. A reset clears the display and the control board's held state, but the same code will come back if the fault that triggered it is still present.
When should I do a full power reset instead of just Cancel?
If an error code remains on the display after using Cancel, cut power at the circuit breaker, wait, then restore it — this clears state that a simple cycle-cancel doesn't reach.
Based on the LG dishwasher service documentation (LDF5545ST / LDT7808ST / LDF6810 series). Last updated: .