LG dishwashers have been around for decades – and they remain one of the most reliable brands in the market – but they are not without their faults. The LG dishwasher code OE is one of the commonest errors you can encounter with your LG dish-washing machine, but this can be resolved without issues.
In this detailed guide, you will learn what the code OE means in LG washing appliances and how to fix the error without paying any technicians. You will understand the factors responsible for the OE error code and how to deal with such factors. You will also learn when it might be necessary to contact your local repairman, and you will get a link to a helpful YouTube video about resolving OE error codes in LG dishwashers.
LG Dishwasher Code OE: How Does It Happen?
If your LG dishwasher displays the OE code on its screen, it means your appliance is having a difficult time draining water. The error code is indicative of a drain issue which you must troubleshoot for a quick resolution. Sometimes your dishwasher drains water, but not entirely; leaving the tub or underneath pan with significant amount of undrained water.
But you do not have to call in the repairman yet, try out the hacks outlined in this guide and you’ll be fine. You must understand what caused the draining issue and how to them. Some of the problems associated with this issue are food clogs, blocked filter, kinked drain hose, inadequate air gap, and faulty drain pump among others. We shall examine each of these factors closely in the next section.
What Causes the LG Dishwasher Code OE?
Here are some of the reasons your dishwasher is not draining water, and why the OE error code is displayed on your LED screen:
1. Food clogs
Your LG dishwasher is basically used to wash dishes after meals, so there is always the probability that debris of food will clog the drain hose or inlet filter valve.
And how do you expect sewage water to pass through if the hoses and valves are clogged? It is best to not allow large food debris to enter the dishwasher since it could clog the hoses and trigger an OE code notification.
2. Blocked filters
If your inlet filter valves and drain hose are blocked with food debris and heavy detergent suds, there is no way the dishwasher can function optimally.
Once your dishwater detects a blockage in any of its components, it will flag an OE error to alert you of the problem. If the problem is not resolved in time, the washing machine will not be able to drain properly and this can impact the overall functionality of the appliance.
3. Kinked drain hose
Twisted and kinked drain hoses can trigger the LG dishwasher code OE. Water supply hoses, drain valves, and other outlet sources must not bend, leak, or be twisted out of shape. All the hoses and valves must be properly positioned so that clogs will not occur easily.
4. Inadequate air gap
Many dishwasher models do not have a high drain loop or air gap to facilitate complete water drainage. Lack of air gap or high drain loop causes water to remain in the tub or pan of the dishwasher after draining – meaning that the machine drains, but not completely.
You must install the air gap or high drain loop in your appliance and ensure that they are properly done – or your machine may flash the OE error code and not drain water as expected.
5. Faulty drain pump
If you have the LG dishwasher code OE staring you in the face, you may have a dysfunctional drain pump. The pump exerts the pressure or suction power that moves water along the drain channel; if the pump is faulty, the machine will not drain properly. The drain pipe can be repaired or replaced to clear the OE error code and to get your appliance to drain satisfactorily.
LG Dishwasher Code OE: How to Fix It
Your LG dishwasher code OE can be cleared without hiring a paid technician. Try out the hacks outlined below for starters:
1. Force the drain
One of the ways to clear debris from your dishwasher and get the machine to drain efficiently is to perform a drain-only operation. This is done by pressing the Delicate and Dual Control buttons simultaneously – you can access these buttons from the Cancel & Drain option. Let the operation run for 60 seconds and then switch off the machine before powering it on again.
Depending on the model of your appliance, the two buttons may be named differently. If you do not have the Delicate and Dual Control buttons, then you might have the Spray and Half Load buttons which must be pressed down simultaneously to launch a drain-only cycle. Let the cycle run for 60 seconds before switching off the unit and then on again for normal operations.
2. Check the air gap
The air gap and in-sink disposal system must be examined and cleaned properly to remove debris and clogs blocking efficient water drain. This operation will clear the OE screen notification and enable your appliance to function properly.
3. Clean the inlet filter mesh/drain hose
More often than not, unintended clogs in the inlet filter mesh and in the drain hose trigger the LG dishwasher OE code. Located inside the hose and valve, you can remove the inlet filter mesh for cleaning under running water before replacement.
The filter under the long spray arms below the lower rack can also be removed for cleaning to remove debris. The same must be done with the drain hose, and the hose must be straightened and not bent or kinked out of shape.
4. Check out the pressure switch
The pressure switch is responsible for triggering a drain event, but it can fail and cause water to remain in the dishwasher. This water-level sensor can fail if you have been using the appliance for many years and the machine is getting old, and if the connector contacts are oxidized.
The pressure switch can be repaired or replaced to correct your OE error. It is also a good idea to check out the drain pump for repairs or upgrades.
When Do You Call a Repairer?
Although you can get your LG dishwasher to drain efficiently by implementing the hacks outlined in this guide, it might be sensible to hire a repairman if you come to a dead end. It will cost you a few hundred bucks to hire a technician and servive your appliance, but the investment will be worth it if the OE is no longer in your face and the machine drains superbly.
Conclusion
The LG dishwasher code OE occurs when the dishwasher is not draining or taking forever to drain. This problem will trigger the OE error code to display on the screen of your appliance and it will impact its overall functionality. This OE drainage problem is usually caused by clogs of food particles in the drain hose, inlet filter valves, and mesh filter. It can also be caused by a faulty drain pump, water-level sensor, and pressure switch.
Without calling a professional technician, you can correct this problem by cleaning the drain pump, ensuring there is adequate air gap, installing a high drain loop, repairing or replacing faulty drain pump and water-level sensor among others. But if you are not able to resolve any of these issues by yourself, then you might as well hire a skilled technician for assistance.
