LG PE Error Code: Water Level Sensor Fault

Medium severity

PE means LG's control board has lost confidence in its own water-level reading, whether the tub is actually over-full, under-full, or looks completely fine to the eye.

Applies to: Most LG dishwasher models with a digital control panel that use an electronic pressure or float-style sensor to track water level instead of a simple timed fill.

What it means

A fault with the water level sensor, meaning the control board can't get a reliable reading of how much water is in the tub.

LG's own error-code guide lists PE alongside HE, tE, and LE as one of the handful of faults it doesn't offer homeowner troubleshooting steps for at all — its only listed step is requesting service, which tells you how deep in the electronics this particular sensor usually sits.

That matches how sealed this component tends to be on newer LG tubs: unlike a drain or fill fault, there's rarely a filter, hose, or valve you can pull out and inspect yourself, which is why the checks below are limited to a reset rather than a physical inspection.

Common causes

A stuck or dirty water level (pressure) sensor
A kinked or blocked sensor tube/hose inside the unit
Wiring issues between the sensor and the control board

What you can check yourself

Power-cycle the unit at the breaker and run a normal cycle
Empty the dishwasher fully before restarting in case an item is interfering with a float-style sensor

Call a professional when

If PE persists, the water level sensor or its tubing typically needs to be inspected and possibly replaced by a technician, since it isn't easily user-serviceable. Sensor-level repairs like this generally land in the $150–$400 band industry cost guides cite for a single-component fix, plus the roughly $70–$130 diagnostic fee most companies charge to confirm whether it's the sensor or the wiring behind it before ordering a part.

LG IE — a fill problem that can trigger a similar-looking level reading
LG LE — a wash-motor fault that can also stall a cycle without a clear cause
Dishwasher Won't Start — worth checking if PE keeps a cycle from beginning at all

Sources

LG USA Support – LG Dishwasher Guide to Error Codes

This site is an independent reference, not a substitute for a licensed appliance technician or electrician, and is not affiliated with Bosch, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or any other manufacturer named here. Dishwashers combine mains-voltage electrical parts with water. Always shut off both power and the water supply before opening the tub, pump, or heating element housing, and if a repair goes beyond checking filters, hoses, detergent, and visible debris, call a licensed technician.