LG · Dishwasher
LG Dishwasher LE Error Code
Wash motor locked or stalled
What this error means
LE indicates the main wash motor stalled. LG's sump motor drives spray arms; if something jams the impeller or the motor overheats, LE appears and the cycle aborts.
How LE is detected
When LE appears on a LG dishwasher, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On LG LDF5545ST, LG LDP7808BD, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most LE calls are resolved without parts: turn off power at the breaker for 15 minutes to cool the motor. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If LE returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Glass shard or seed lodged in the wash impeller
- Motor thermal overload after repeated heavy loads
- Failed motor capacitor or winding
- Wiring harness corrosion at the motor plug
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Turn off power at the breaker for 15 minutes to cool the motor
- 2Remove the filter and inspect the sump for foreign objects—use flashlight only, not fingers
- 3Reinstall the filter and run a short Normal cycle with an empty tub
- 4Stop using the dishwasher if LE returns on an empty cycle
When to call a technician
LG lists LE as motor service—replacement is common when no debris is found after reset.
Affected models
- LG LDF5545ST
- LG LDP7808BD
- LG LDTS5552S
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use dishwashers to prevent LE from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when LE appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your LG dishwasher—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for LE; LG uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting LE; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.