An LG dishwasher showing AE has triggered its leak-detection system. The drain pump may keep running because the machine thinks water is sitting in the base pan under the tub. Sometimes there is a real leak; often, the cause is too many suds.
These steps apply to LG dishwashers with digital displays, including QuadWash and standard US models.
Does this affect you?
AE stands for Aqua Error. LG uses it when the base-pan leak sensor detects water or a leak-like condition. Over-sudsing from the wrong detergent is one of the most common triggers, so check that before assuming the tub or pump is leaking.
Rule out over-sudsing and detergent issues
Foam can reach places normal wash water should not and trip the leak sensor.
- Confirm nobody used hand dish soap. Regular dish soap creates far too many suds for a dishwasher.
- Use less dishwasher detergent if the home has soft water or if the dispenser was overfilled.
- Check the rinse-aid setting. Too high a setting can contribute to foaming on some loads.
- Open the door and look for foam in the tub. If present, remove as much sudsy water as you can, then run rinse-only cycles until it clears.
- Turn the breaker off for about one minute, then restore power to clear the code after the suds are gone.
Turn off power at the breaker before checking underneath the dishwasher or near the base pan. Shut off the water valve under the sink if you suspect a real leak, and mop up floor water promptly.
Check for an actual leak
If there is no foam and AE returns, look for water reaching the base pan.
- With power and water off, pull the dishwasher slightly out if you can do so safely and look underneath for water or wet insulation.
- Inspect the door gasket all the way around for tears, gaps, or food debris that keeps the door from sealing.
- Check the water supply and drain hose connections for loose fittings or cracked hoses.
- Inspect the float switch on the tub floor for debris or sticking.
- After fixing any visible leak, restore power and run a supervised test cycle.
A base-pan sensor can occasionally false-trigger from condensation or a defect, but that is less common than suds or a true leak. Do not assume the sensor is bad until foam and visible water sources have been ruled out.
On older dishwashers, a hairline crack in the tub, pump housing, or internal seal can leak slowly enough that it is hard to spot without removing the lower access panel and watching a cycle.
If detergent and suds are not the cause and AE keeps returning, schedule service. Finding a slow leak or confirming a sensor fault usually requires lower-panel access and a supervised cycle.
Sources
- LG Electronics – Dishwasher Error Codes Explained (2025)
- LG Electronics – AE Error Troubleshooting (2024)
- LG Support – Dishwasher Leak Sensor Reset (2025)