EN

Severity: Moderate

LG Dishwasher Error LE – Wash Motor Error – Motor Not Running Normally

The main wash motor isn't turning as the control expects. Check wiring and a jammed impeller first.

At a glance

Severity: 3/5 – Moderate3/5

Severity: Moderate

Meaning
Wash Motor Error – Motor Not Running Normally
Typical repair cost
$0–$550
DIY difficulty
Hard

LG calls LE a cleaning motor error: the brushless Inverter Direct Drive motor that spins the wash impeller isn't reaching or holding its speed. The control drives the motor electronically and reads its rotor position back, so it knows immediately when the motor stalls, stutters or loses its position signal. Typically the dishwasher drains and fills normally, then stops with LE right when washing should begin, sometimes after a hum or a click. LG's position is that a code which survives a power reset needs a technician; in the field the harness plug at the motor and a jammed impeller are found about as often as a failed motor.

How it looks on the display

LG Dishwasher display showing error LE

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
Top-control QuadWash modelsLEShown on the door-edge display after the fill phase.
Front-control modelsLEReplaces the time readout; the cycle stops.
Kenmore Elite dishwashers built by LGLESame motor and code list; searches for Kenmore LE lead to the same fault.

Safety first · Consult a professional

Turn off the breaker before removing the lower panel. The motor is driven by the control board with high voltage pulses, so never probe the motor plug with power on.

  • Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.

Symptoms

  • LE on the display shortly after the fill, when washing should start
  • Hum, buzz or single click from under the tub, then silence
  • Water sits in the tub with no spraying sound
  • Code sometimes clears after a reset, then comes back a few cycles later
  • Grinding noise before the code first appeared

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. Loose, corroded or damaged harness connector at the motor 30%
  2. Wash motor winding or rotor position sensor failed 25%
  3. Impeller jammed by glass, a fruit pit or hardened residue 20%
  4. Main control board motor driver failed 15%
  5. Motor overheated after a blocked or starved pump 10%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: LE1Power reset, as LG recommends2Clean the filters and sump3Inspect the motor connector4Measure the motor windings5Decide motor or board

  1. Power reset, as LG recommends

    Press Power to turn it off, switch the breaker off, wait at least 10 seconds (a few minutes is better if the motor may be hot) and switch back on. Start a new cycle and listen when the fill ends.

  2. Clean the filters and sump

    Remove the multi filter and the mesh filter and check the sump for glass, bones or fruit pits that could have reached the impeller. A blocked filter can also starve the pump and overheat the motor.

    Tools: Flashlight, Gloves, Soft brush

  3. Inspect the motor connector

    With the breaker off, remove the lower access panel. Follow the harness to the motor under the sump and check the plug for corrosion, burn marks or a latch that isn't fully engaged.

    Tools: Screwdriver, Flashlight

  4. Measure the motor windings

    Unplug the motor and measure between each pair of the three winding pins. All three readings should be low and almost identical; one open or clearly different pair means the motor is damaged.

    Tools: Multimeter

  5. Decide motor or board

    If windings and plug check out and the impeller isn't blocked, the fault is usually the rotor sensor or the board's motor driver. That diagnosis needs a technician with LG test mode access.

How to reset LE

  1. Press Power to turn the dishwasher off.
  2. Turn the breaker off, wait at least 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
  3. Press Power and start a new cycle. If LE reappears when washing should start, service is needed.

Where the parts are

Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump – LE123456789
Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump
  1. 1Door lock
  2. 2Water inlet valve
  3. 3Filter
  4. 4Circulation pump
  5. 5Heating element
  6. 6Drain pump
  7. 7Float switch
  8. 8Temperature sensor
  9. 9Water level sensor

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Power reset and filter/sump cleaning Yes $0
Re-seat or repair motor connector Yes $0–$30
Wash motor or sump-and-motor assembly by a technician No $300–$550
Main control board replacement No $250–$450
Technician diagnostic visit No $110–$200

Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.

When to call a technician

Call LG service or a technician when LE comes back after a power reset and clean filters, as LG itself advises. Check your warranty paperwork first: LG advertises longer parts coverage on its Direct Drive motor than on the rest of the machine.

Frequently asked questions

Is LE on an LG dishwasher a leak?

No. On LG dishwashers the leak code is AE. LE is the wash motor. On some other brands LE does mean leak, which causes a lot of confusion online.

Can I fix LE myself?

You can safely reset it, clean the sump and check the connector. Motor and board replacement are possible for experienced DIYers, but the unit usually has to come out of the cabinet.

Why does LE show up only on some cycles?

An intermittent connector or a motor that overheats after a long heavy cycle can pass on one run and fail on the next. Note which cycle and stage it happens in for the technician.

Is the motor covered under warranty?

Often longer than the rest of the dishwasher, since LG advertises extended parts coverage on the Direct Drive motor. Labor may not be included, so ask before booking.

Sources