LG Dishwasher Not Draining — What’s Happening
When your LG dishwasher won’t drain, water stays pooled in the bottom of the tub at the end of a cycle. The unit has detected that water is not exiting the tub as expected. LG ties this drain problem to issues in the hose, filter, air gap, disposal connection, or drain pump. You may see standing water after the wash or rinse, and the door may show an OE error code on some models.
Most Likely Causes
- Kinked or pinched drain hose The hose behind or under the unit is bent sharply or crushed, blocking water flow.
- Clogged drain hose or sink connection Food debris, grease, or other blockage has built up inside the hose, air gap, or the branch at the sink drain or garbage disposal.
- Knockout plug not removed at disposal If you recently installed or replaced a garbage disposal, the plastic inlet plug inside the disposal inlet may still be in place, blocking the dishwasher drain line completely.
- Dirty or clogged filter The filter at the bottom of the tub is full of food particles or debris, restricting water flow to the drain pump.
- Incorrect hose routing or installation The drain hose is routed to a floor drain or trapped flat behind the unit, preventing proper drainage during the cycle.
- Blocked or failed drain pump The pump is jammed with debris or has failed electrically, so it cannot move water out of the tub.
How to Diagnose and Fix
- Turn off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker or unplug the unit before you open any panels or touch any hoses.
- Pull out the lower rack and remove the filter assembly from the sump at the bottom of the tub, then rinse it under running water to clear any food or debris.
- Pull the dishwasher forward enough to inspect the entire drain hose from the pump outlet to the sink or disposal connection, looking for kinks, pinches, or crushed sections.
- Check the air gap on your countertop (if installed) by removing the cap and clearing any debris inside, and inspect the sink drain or garbage disposal inlet for clogs or a forgotten knockout plug.
- Confirm the drain hose is routed in a high loop or through an air gap and is not connected to a floor drain, which LG does not support for proper operation.
- If all drain paths are clear, access the drain pump under the tub, check for debris blocking the impeller, and test the pump for electrical continuity or listen for motor hum during a drain cycle.
- Run a short rinse or drain-only cycle (if your model supports it) after clearing any blockage to verify water drains completely and the error does not return.
Parts You Might Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| LG dishwasher drain pump | Amazon | Required if the pump does not run or is mechanically jammed and cannot be cleared. |
| LG dishwasher drain hose | Amazon | Needed if the original hose is crushed, cracked, or permanently kinked. |
| Dishwasher filter assembly | Amazon | Replace if the filter screen is torn or the housing is cracked and cannot be cleaned. |
Related Error Codes
If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:
- Lg Dishwasher Ae error code
- Lg Dishwasher Be error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ce error code
- Lg Dishwasher Cr error code
- Lg Dishwasher E1 error code
- Lg Dishwasher Fe error code
- Lg Dishwasher He error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ie error code
- Lg Dishwasher Le error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ne error code
- Lg Dishwasher Oe error code
- Lg Dishwasher Pe error code
When to Call a Pro
Call a pro if you have verified the hose, filter, and disposal connection are all clear but water still will not drain, or if the drain pump runs but no water moves. A technician can test pump voltage, check for control board faults, and replace the pump or wiring harness safely. Also call for help if you are uncomfortable working under the sink, moving the dishwasher, or accessing electrical components inside the unit.