What AE means (lg ae error)
An lg ae error on an LG dishwasher (shown as AE or E1) means a leak has been detected — water has reached the float in the base pan and tripped the safety system, or the Aquastop has acted. The control raises AE and stops to prevent water damage, so it should be treated as a real leak until proven otherwise.
Symptoms to look for
The signs below help confirm you are dealing with this condition rather than a different fault on your LG Dishwasher. You may see one of them or several together, and they can build up gradually or appear suddenly after a power event, a long door opening, or recent service.
- The display shows “AE” or “E1”
- Water is visible under or around the dishwasher
- The cycle stops and the dishwasher may keep draining
- A damp smell near the base or cabinet
Common causes
Several different faults can produce these symptoms. Working through the most likely causes in order helps separate a quick, owner-level check from a problem that needs trained service and the correct LG parts.
- Hose or connection leak — a loose or split hose drips into the pan
- Tub or door seal leak — water escapes the wash chamber
- Pump or sump leak — a cracked housing or loose clamp
- Float/Aquastop fault — less commonly, the safety trips without water
Troubleshooting steps you can try
Work through these checks in order before calling for service. Stop wherever you are unsure, or where high-voltage parts, gas, the sealed refrigeration system, or a heat-pump compressor are involved, and hand the rest to a qualified technician.
- Turn off the water supply and switch the dishwasher off at the breaker.
- Look for water under and behind the unit and around the hoses.
- Do not keep running cycles while a leak is present.
- Because a leak can damage cabinets and floors, arrange service to find and seal the source.
Parts a technician may replace
Depending on what the diagnosis shows, a technician may inspect, test, or replace the base-pan leak float, tub/door seal, hoses/connections, and aquastop valve. The correct part for your LG Dishwasher is matched from the model and serial number, and genuine LG components are fitted rather than generic substitutes so that performance, safety, and the appliance’s long working life are all protected. Confirming the failed part before ordering avoids replacing more than the fault actually requires.
When to call a technician
AE needs a technician to find the leak, replace the failed seal, hose, or pump, and confirm the float and Aquastop reset. When the fix calls for trained service, book a visit through our scheduling page and an experienced, qualified technician will diagnose and repair it. For manufacturer documentation and model lookup, see the manufacturer at lg.com/us.
Prevention and care
Regular care keeps this condition from returning on your LG Dishwasher. Keep filters, vents, and the condenser or exhaust path clean, avoid overloading or blocking airflow, check that doors and seals close cleanly, and follow the LG maintenance guidance for your model. Because this unit relies on electronic control, protect it with a stable, correctly rated power supply and have any built-in or laundry installation done to LG specification so the control never sees an out-of-range condition. If a code appears, note exactly what was shown before you reset the appliance — that record helps the technician reach an accurate diagnosis and avoid replacing parts unnecessarily. Where stored food, a sealed refrigerant system, gas, or a safety lockout is involved, treat the condition as a reason to act quickly rather than wait.
Related help and LG resources
Browse other LG Dishwasher diagnostics, read about professional LG Dishwasher repair, look up your unit in the LG models reference, or the related FE overfill error, or schedule a service visit. For LG manufacturer documentation and model lookup, visit the manufacturer at lg.com/us.
