LG Dishwasher Showing AE? Stop Using It Now
If your LG dishwasher is displaying AE and refusing to run, the machine has detected a water leak. AE — Aqua Error — appears when the float switch in the base pan rises because water has collected where it shouldn’t. The dishwasher locks the drain pump on, refuses to fill, and stops the cycle until the leak source is identified and fixed.
Unlike a load-balance or fill error you can clear with a quick check, AE means there is genuine water inside the chassis that needs investigation. Continuing to run the dishwasher won’t fix it and risks worsening the leak. Book a Brisbane LG dishwasher repair or call (07) 3062 2377.
What Does AE Mean on an LG Dishwasher?
AE is LG’s leak-detection error code. Inside the base of the dishwasher sits a small float switch. When the chassis stays dry, the float rests at the bottom and reports “no water”. When water collects in the base pan, the float rises, contacts trip, and the control board immediately halts the cycle, displays AE, and energises the drain pump continuously to pump out whatever is leaking.
This is anti-flood protection working correctly. The downside is that AE doesn’t tell you where the leak is — only that there is one. Finding the source is the first half of the repair; fixing it is the second.
Common Sources of an AE Leak
Door gasket failure. The rubber gasket around the inside of the door hardens or tears with age, particularly along the bottom edge where water sits longest. Water seeps past the gasket during the wash cycle and runs down the front into the base.
Inlet hose connection leak. The inlet hose connects at the rear of the dishwasher with a threaded fitting. If the fitting has loosened or the rubber washer inside has perished, water drips slowly behind the machine and tracks into the base.
Drain hose connection. The drain hose can split where it loops up to the standpipe, or the connection at the dishwasher pump can lose its clamp. Drain water leaks during the pump-out phase.
Pump seal failure. The wash pump and drain pump both have rotating seals that wear over time. A leaking pump seal drips into the base every cycle.
Tub crack. Hairline cracks at high-stress points (corners, drain sump) can develop on older units. Water seeps slowly during cycles, base pan eventually accumulates enough to trigger AE.
Float switch fault. Less common: the float switch itself has corroded or the wiring has shorted, causing a false AE. The base is dry but the switch reports water present.
Clearing AE Temporarily
You can clear AE long enough to drain the dishwasher and inspect for the source — but the error will return within one cycle if the leak isn’t fixed.
1. Switch the dishwasher off at the wall and turn off the water supply tap.
2. Pull the dishwasher forward from the cabinet (it usually slides out easily once you’ve disconnected the kickboard or undone the upper mounting brackets).
3. Tilt the machine backwards slightly. Any water in the base pan will drain out the front. Catch with a towel.
4. Inspect with a torch underneath for water tracking — wet patches on the floor under specific components tell you where the leak is coming from.
5. Restore power. If AE clears immediately and stays clear during a Rinse Only cycle with the water still off, the float switch is working correctly and a real leak existed. If AE returns immediately with the dishwasher empty and tilted, the float switch may be faulty.
When to Call a Technician
AE always means the dishwasher needs a technician unless you’ve found and fixed the leak source yourself (a visibly loose inlet hose, for example). Specific situations that need professional repair:
- Door gasket damage or perished seal
- Pump seal failure (water visible around the wash or drain pump)
- Tub crack or split in the chassis
- Float switch testing reveals a faulty switch
- AE keeps returning despite drying the base pan repeatedly
Continuing to run an LG dishwasher with an unresolved AE risks expanding the leak, damaging cabinetry below, and accelerating the failure of any electronics that get wet. The drain pump may also burn out from running continuously.
How Always Prompt Repairs Can Help
Always Prompt Repairs services LG dishwashers across Greater Brisbane, Ipswich and the Northern Gold Coast. We are not an authorised LG service agent — we are an independent Brisbane appliance repair business. Our technicians carry common LG dishwasher parts including door gaskets, drain pumps, inlet valves, and seal kits.
If your LG is still inside the LG manufacturer warranty period, contact LG Australia first. For out-of-warranty repairs, visit our LG service centre Brisbane page or dishwasher repairs Brisbane hub. Related guides: LG LE error, dishwasher leaking, dishwasher not draining, other LG fault codes.
LG Dishwasher Repair Pricing
Our callout fee is $219, which includes the first 30 minutes of on-site labour and full fault diagnosis. Additional time is $45 per 15-minute block. Parts are quoted separately before any work proceeds. Seniors, pensioners and students receive a $20 discount on the callout fee.
All prices are estimates only. Under Australian Consumer Law, you may have additional consumer guarantee rights if your dishwasher has failed prematurely.
Service Area
We service LG dishwashers across Greater Brisbane, Ipswich and the Northern Gold Coast, including North Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and Northern Gold Coast. No travel surcharges.
Book Your LG Dishwasher Repair
Book online in under two minutes, or call (07) 3062 2377 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AE mean on an LG dishwasher?
AE stands for Aqua Error — LG’s code for leak detection. A float switch in the base pan has been triggered by water that should not be there. The dishwasher stops running and locks the drain pump on to prevent further water entry until the leak is addressed.
How do I clear the AE error temporarily?
Switch the dishwasher off at the wall, tilt it backwards slightly to drain water from the base pan, and turn it back on. AE clears momentarily but will return within one cycle if the leak source is not fixed.
What causes an AE leak on an LG dishwasher?
Common sources include a worn door gasket allowing water past the door seal, a loose or split inlet hose connection, a leaking drain hose or pump seal, a cracked tub, or condensation buildup from a clogged drain channel. Each needs a different repair.
Can I keep using my LG dishwasher with AE?
No. AE means there is genuine water inside the chassis. Running the dishwasher with an active leak risks expanding water damage, harming cabinetry, and burning out the drain pump which runs continuously when AE is active. Stop using the dishwasher and book a repair.
How much does it cost to fix an LG AE error in Brisbane?
Our callout fee is $219, which includes the first 30 minutes of on-site labour and full diagnosis. Additional time is $45 per 15 minutes. Parts are quoted separately. Seniors, pensioners and students receive a $20 discount. All prices are estimates only.
How do I book an LG dishwasher repair in Brisbane?
Book online at /book/ 24 hours a day, or call (07) 3062 2377 during business hours.
For more guidance, see LG Australia’s support page.