LG dishwashers display OE (Outlet Error) when the drain cycle can't complete within the expected time. Like Bosch's E24, this error is common in NYC apartments — and like E24, the cause is usually outside the dishwasher itself.
Step 1: Check the Filter (Resolves ~30% of OE Errors)
LG dishwashers have a cylindrical mesh filter at the bottom of the tub. In NYC apartments where the dishwasher runs daily, food particles and mineral deposits from NYC water clog this filter within weeks if not cleaned regularly.
To clean: Remove the lower rack. Turn the cylindrical filter counterclockwise and lift out. Rinse under running water with a brush. For heavy calcium scale (common in NYC apartments), soak in white vinegar for 15 minutes.
Clean the filter monthly in a NYC household — more often if you skip pre-rinsing dishes.
Step 2: Check the Drain Hose (Resolves ~20%)
The drain hose runs from the LG dishwasher to your sink drain. In under-counter NYC installations, this hose is typically routed through the cabinet wall — it can kink at the cabinet cutout or become crimped if the dishwasher was pushed back too hard after installation.
Also confirm the high loop: the drain hose must rise to the underside of the countertop before descending to the drain connection. Without this loop, water can siphon back into the dishwasher tub, causing the OE error to repeat even after a successful drain.
Step 3: Check the Sink Drain (Resolves ~25%)
Run your kitchen sink faucet at full flow for 30 seconds. If the sink drains slowly or backs up, the building's drain line is the problem. NYC's older plumbing — cast iron drain stacks in prewar Brooklyn and Queens buildings — accumulates grease, scale, and debris over decades. A slow building drain creates back-pressure that prevents the dishwasher pump from completing the drain cycle.
A plumber snaking the P-trap and the drain stack resolves this without any appliance service.
Step 4: Drain Pump Failure (If Steps 1–3 Don't Resolve It)
If the filter is clean, hose is clear, and the sink drains freely — the LG drain pump has failed. Signs include: - A humming sound during drain cycle with no water movement - Complete silence during drain cycle (pump motor failed) - OE error that appears at the start of every cycle, not just occasionally
LG drain pump replacement: $150–230 parts and labor.
LG-Specific: Drain Solenoid
Some LG dishwasher models use a drain solenoid valve in addition to the drain pump. If the solenoid fails in the closed position, the pump runs but water can't exit. This is less common than pump failure but worth checking if the pump tests operational and OE persists.
NYC Maintenance to Prevent OE
- •Clean the filter monthly
- •Run the garbage disposal (if present) before starting the dishwasher
- •Annually: snake the kitchen drain P-trap to remove grease buildup from building plumbing
LG Dishwasher Error Codes Related to Draining