LG Dishwasher Not Draining? The OE Code and How to Fix It
Quick answer: OE on an LG dishwasher means it isn't draining. LG's fixes, in order: turn the mesh filter counterclockwise, lift it out and brush it clean under running water, straighten any kink in the drain hose, clear the air gap on the sink, and on a new install make sure the garburator knockout plug was removed. LG also says the hose should be no longer than 3.6 m (12 ft), with its end 30 to 100 cm (12 to 40 in) above the floor.
Once it drains, we pick BLITZ: one tablet in the empty dishwasher on a normal cycle breaks down the grease and food film left in the sump, filter and spray arms, for about $1.04 a clean. Septic-safe, like every BLITZ product, from a Québec company in Laval, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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Before you start: power off and get the water out
Turn off the power at the breaker or unplug the dishwasher first, and lay towels in front of it. Bail the water into a bowl, then use a turkey baster or a sponge for the last of it in the sump, the low well around the filter.
OE is LG's drain code. LG's help library says it usually comes from food, debris or a foreign object in the tub or the filter, or from a clogged air gap. Pull out the lower rack and pick out the large debris before you go further.
How to fix an LG dishwasher that won't drain, step by step
- Turn the mesh filter counterclockwise and lift it out of the tub floor.
- Clean it under running water with a soft brush, both sides of the mesh.
- Put it back and turn it clockwise until it clicks.
- Check the hose under the sink for crushed spots or kinks, and straighten any bend.
- Clear the air gap: dishwasher off, remove the air gap cover on the sink and clean out the debris with a toothpick or a brush.
- Run a cycle. OE gone? Clean the inside (below).
The LG drain hose, high loop, air gap and garburator
- Length and height: LG says the drain hose should be no more than 3.6 m (12 ft) long, with its end 30 to 100 cm (12 to 40 in) above the floor.
- Kinks: a kinked hose keeps the dishwasher from draining properly, LG says.
- Knockout plug: if the garburator is new, or the dishwasher is connected for the first time, the opening for the drain hose may still be plugged. LG says an installer or plumber must remove it.
LG dishwasher still showing OE?
If it drains, but slowly or with a smell, clean the filter and the spray arms, then LG suggests a cycle in the empty dishwasher with a cleaner. That's where one BLITZ tablet goes, in the detergent dispenser.
If OE keeps coming back after all of this, LG says a part may be faulty: contact LG customer support or book a repair. Machine Clean, which LG suggests once a month or every 30 cycles, keeps the sump from building up again.
Once it drains: clean out the grease that caused it
The food and grease that blocked the filter also coat the sump, the spray arms and the walls. Left there, they slow the next drain and smell. One BLITZ Dishwasher Cleaner tablet clears them:
- Put the clean filter back and lock it.
- Put one tablet in the detergent compartment of the empty dishwasher.
- Run a normal cycle, then one tablet every two weeks.
A box of 24 is $24.95, about $1.04 a clean, a year at one tablet every two weeks. The rest of the routine is in how to clean an LG dishwasher, and every brand's drain checks are in dishwasher not draining: 6 causes.
When to call LG or a technician
- No sound from the pump at the end of a cycle, with a clean filter and a clear hose.
- A steady hum but no water moving: something may be stuck in the pump.
- Water on the floor or under the cabinet.
- A burning smell, damaged wiring or a breaker that keeps tripping: stop using it.
Have the model and serial number ready: they're on a label on the edge of the door or the tub opening.
Frequently asked questions
What does OE mean on an LG dishwasher?
The dishwasher isn't draining. LG points to food or debris in the tub or filter, a clogged air gap, a kinked hose or, on a new install, a knockout plug left in the garburator.
How do I clear OE on an LG dishwasher?
Fix the drain: clean the mesh filter, straighten the hose, clear the air gap, then run a cycle. If OE returns with everything clear, LG says a part may be faulty.
How high should an LG dishwasher drain hose be?
LG says its end should sit 30 to 100 cm (12 to 40 in) above the floor, on a hose no longer than 3.6 m (12 ft).
Is OE on an LG dishwasher the same as on an LG washer?
Same meaning, different machine: on both, OE means water isn't draining, but the washer's checks are its pump filter and drain hose.
Sources
LG help library: “How to fix an LG dishwasher that is not draining (OE error)” and LG regional support on the OE error; BLITZ Dishwasher Cleaner product page and directions. Checked October 30, 2026.
LG is a trademark of its owner. BLITZ is not affiliated with LG.
KEEP THE SUMP CLEAN
BLITZ Dishwasher Cleaner & Deodorizer
One tablet in the detergent compartment of an empty dishwasher removes grease, grime and limescale from the sump, walls, racks and spray arms. 24 tablets for $24.95, a year at one every two weeks.
Free shipping across Canada on orders of $40 or more, 10% back in store credit, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
