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LG dishwasher AE code no leak: why it happens and what to check

You may see an AE code on your LG dishwasher even though there’s no puddle in front of it. The leak can be hidden under the tub, caused by foam overflow, or left over from a small drip that already stopped. This page shows the safe checks to do first, then what a technician tests if the code comes back.

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Straight answer

An LG dishwasher AE code with no leak visible usually means the dishwasher has detected a leak or overflow condition, often in the base area under the tub, so water may be hidden behind the toe kick or already evaporated. Easy causes to rule out early are detergent over-sudsing and leveling, since too much detergent or a tilted tub can let water overflow without a steady door drip.

Check these first

Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.

  1. Cancel the cycle and dry the area

    If water is still coming out, cancel the cycle if you can, turn off power at the breaker, and close the hot-water shutoff under the sink. Dry the floor so you can see any new water; don’t keep running a wash cycle with AE active.

  2. Check for detergent foam

    Open the door after the machine stops. If you see a lot of suds, use no more than one pod next time, or fill liquid or powder only to the marked dispenser line. Too much detergent can make foam spill into the base without an obvious stream of water.

  3. Check whether the tub is level

    Remove the lower rack, then place a level inside the empty tub. You can also pour about a gallon of water into the bottom; if it pools to one side, the dishwasher is tilted. LG lists leveling as an early check for door-side leaks.

  4. Clean the door gasket and tub lip

    Wipe food grease or buildup from the rubber door gasket and the metal or plastic surface it seals against. A torn, stiff, missing, or shifted gasket needs a technician or a replacement part.

  5. Inspect the spray arms

    Spin each spray arm by hand. Clean blocked holes with warm soapy water and a soft brush. A cracked or warped arm can shoot water at the lower door area, where the seal is limited.

  6. Look for easy water-line clues

    If you can reach the supply line under the sink or near the dishwasher without removing covers, press a dry paper towel around the connection. A wet spot points to a loose fitting, damaged hose, or valve connection that needs attention.

Dishwasher front: door latch at the top, float in the front corner of the tub, inlet valve behind the kick panelDoor latch: listen for the clickFloat (front corner of tub)Inlet valve, behind kick panelDoor gasketSpray arm
Water comes in through a valve behind the lower kick panel. A float in the front corner of the tub floor shuts it off, so a stuck float stops the fill. The door latch has to click shut or the cycle won't start.
When it's a repair

If the safe checks don’t stop the AE code or the leak returns during wash, a technician usually dries the base pan, confirms the float isn’t stuck, then runs the machine while watching for the first drip. Likely leak points include the door gasket, lower corner baffles, spray arms, inlet valve, 90-degree elbow, fill hose, drain hose clamps, sump or pump seal, and overflow paths. Replacement tends to make less sense on an older dishwasher if the tub or door is distorted, the sump motor is leaking, or several leak sources show up together; at that age I wouldn’t push a major repair.

Error code lists

Every LG dishwasher error code in one table, with what each means and what to check first →

Have the model number ready

The company will ask for it first. It's on a sticker or metal plate, usually in one of these spots:

Where the model tag usually is on a dishwasher12
  1. Open the door: on the left or right edge of the tub or door
  2. Some models: on the top edge of the door
Worth knowing

Conditions that make this more likely

Inlet screens clog quietly

The small mesh screens where the hoses meet the machine catch sediment and scale. On hard water or an older supply line, a screen can block enough within a few years to trigger a fill error. Cleaning them is a common fix.

What a technician tests

Most likely part first. These are for a technician with a meter and the tech sheet, not a weekend project.

PartHow it's tested
Base pan leak floatRemove the lower cover, pull the insulation back, then check the base pan for standing water. If the pan is wet, dry it and run a cycle while watching for the first drip; if AE returns with a dry pan, check the float and wiring path.
Leveling, door gasket, and lower corner bafflesCheck the cabinet opening and tub with a level, then look for water pooling to one side after the initial fill. Inspect the gasket and lower baffles for tears, hardened rubber, missing pieces, or a door corner that doesn’t seal flat.
Spray armsInspect each arm for clogged holes, cracks, warped plastic, wobble, or contact with a rack. A bad arm can redirect wash water toward the bottom of the door, which can look like a door leak even when the gasket is intact.
Water inlet valve, 90-degree elbow, and fill hoseWith the lower cover off, check the valve body, elbow threads, Teflon-taped joint, and hose end for cracks or stripped threads. A dry paper towel touched to the joint during fill will show small seepage; some LG models use a fixed 90-degree elbow on the valve.
Wash pump and pump sealLook under the sump while the wash motor runs; a pump or sump seal leak can show near the middle underside during wash. With power off, inspect the pump casing, seal area, harness, and connector, then compare any motor readings with the tech sheet for that exact model.

Don't see your symptom?

Describe it on the phone. The company on the other end works on these every day and will know what to ask.

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Common questions about appliance repair

Can I reset an LG dishwasher AE code?

You can cancel the cycle and cut power briefly, but AE often comes back if water remains in the base pan. A reset won’t fix a leaking valve, spray arm, hose, or door seal.

Why is my LG dishwasher leaking from the bottom of the door?

Common causes are a tilted dishwasher, a dirty or damaged gasket, a blocked spray arm, a cracked spray arm, or excess suds. A warped spray arm can aim water at the lower door area where the seal is limited.

Can I run it with no detergent to test for suds?

If there is no active spill and the machine will run, a short cycle with no detergent can show whether foam caused the overflow. Stop if water appears.

Is the AE code covered by warranty?

Coverage depends on the age of the dishwasher, the part that failed, and the terms for that model. If it is still within coverage, contact LG before authorizing parts replacement through a repair company.

Should I replace the door gasket first?

Only replace it if it’s torn, hardened, missing, or out of place. If the gasket looks sound, the issue may be leveling, suds, spray-arm spray pattern, or a hidden leak under the machine.

Still showing the problem after the checks?

Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.

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