PE2
LG Dishwasher
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
The PE2 error on LG dishwashers indicates a problem with the drain pump — specifically, it's not draining water as expected. Your dishwasher should pump out water after each wash and rinse phase. If the pump doesn't drain the water within the allotted time, PE2 triggers. This is usually caused by a clog in the drain system, not necessarily a broken pump. Clearing the drain is the first step and fixes most PE2 errors.
Affected Models
- LDF5545ST
- LDT5678SS
- LDFN4542S
- LDP6810SS
- LDT7808SS
- LG EasyRack Plus models
Common Causes
- Food debris clogging the filter basket at the bottom of the dishwasher tub
- Clogged or kinked drain hose preventing water from exiting the dishwasher
- Blocked air gap (if installed on the sink) restricting drain flow
- Garbage disposal knockout plug still installed, blocking the dishwasher drain connection
- Failed drain pump motor that is no longer spinning with enough force to remove water
How to Fix It
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Remove and clean the filter assembly at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Twist the cylindrical filter counter-clockwise and lift it out. Remove the flat mesh filter beneath it. Rinse both under running water and scrub with a soft brush to remove grease and food debris.
LG recommends cleaning the filter monthly. A clogged filter is by far the most common cause of drain errors including PE2.
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Look inside the filter housing in the tub floor after removing the filter. Use a flashlight to check for any hard debris — a broken bone, a small piece of glass, or a chunk of food — that might be blocking the drain opening. Remove any debris you find.
Wearing rubber gloves here is smart — you might encounter sharp objects or broken glass.
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Check the drain hose. It runs from the back of the dishwasher up to the cabinet and connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Make sure it forms a high loop (the top of the loop should be near the underside of the countertop) and isn't kinked or crushed.
A drain hose that hangs too low without a high loop can allow sink water to flow back into the dishwasher and trigger drain errors.
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If your sink has an air gap fitting on the countertop (a small chrome dome), unscrew and clean it. Debris builds up inside air gaps and can restrict drain flow significantly. It's one of the most overlooked causes of dishwasher drain problems.
Air gap cleaning takes 5 minutes and is free. Check it before assuming the pump is broken.
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If the filter and drain path are clear but PE2 persists, the drain pump is likely failing. You can confirm by pressing Cancel/Drain and listening for the pump to hum — if you hear nothing, the pump motor has failed. A technician can replace it, or an experienced DIYer can follow the service manual procedure.
Run Cancel/Drain immediately after the error appears to attempt an emergency drain before calling a technician.
When to Call a Professional
If cleaning the filter and drain path doesn't resolve PE2, the drain pump motor has likely failed. Drain pump replacement is a moderately complex repair requiring the dishwasher to be tilted and partially disassembled. A replacement LG drain pump costs $40-$90. Expect $150-$280 for professional repair including labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between PE and PE2 on LG dishwashers?
PE typically refers to the wash pump (which circulates water during cleaning). PE2 refers specifically to the drain pump (which removes water after each phase). Both share similar troubleshooting steps initially, but if cleaning doesn't help, different pump motors are involved in each case.
There's standing water in my dishwasher — is that PE2?
Very likely yes. Standing water after a completed or failed cycle is the classic symptom of a drain problem. Try pressing Cancel/Drain to force a drain cycle. If the water doesn't drain within 2 minutes, proceed with the filter cleaning steps above.
I just had a garbage disposal installed — now I'm getting PE2. Why?
This is very common. New garbage disposals come with a plastic knockout plug covering the dishwasher drain inlet. If the installer forgot to knock out this plug, your dishwasher has nowhere to drain. Disconnect the drain hose from the disposal, use a screwdriver and hammer to knock out the plug, remove it from inside the disposal, then reconnect the hose.