LG tE Error Code: Temperature Sensor Reading Out of Range

Low severity

A tE on the display doesn't mean the water is too hot or too cold — it means the sensor reporting that temperature back to the control board can no longer be trusted.

Applies to: Most LG dishwasher models with a digital control panel that manage wash and dry temperature electronically rather than with a simple mechanical thermostat.

What it means

The temperature sensor inside the dishwasher is reporting a reading outside the range the control board expects.

LG describes this as a thermal-error condition, triggered either when the sensed water temperature reads above roughly 194°F or when the thermistor itself is drifting or failing — either way, the control board would rather stop the cycle than keep heating water based on a reading it doesn't trust.

The short list of homeowner checks below isn't an oversight on LG's part. Confirming whether a thermistor has actually drifted out of range takes a multimeter on a live circuit, which puts real diagnosis squarely in technician territory even though the reset and descale steps are safe for anyone to try first.

Common causes

A failed or drifting temperature sensor/thermistor
A loose or corroded wiring connection to the sensor
Heavy mineral scale buildup affecting the sensor

What you can check yourself

Power-cycle the dishwasher at the breaker and run a normal cycle
Run a dishwasher-safe descaling treatment if you have hard water and haven't descaled recently

Call a professional when

If tE returns after a reset and a descale, the temperature sensor itself typically needs professional testing and replacement. That's a sensor-level part, so expect a bill closer to the $150–$400 band industry guides cite for a single-component fix rather than a full control-board replacement. Many independent repair companies also charge a $70–$130 diagnostic visit on top of that to confirm the thermistor is really the culprit, though most will credit the fee toward the repair if you go ahead with it.

LG HE — a heater fault that shares the same temperature-control circuit
LG PE — a different sensor, this one reading water level instead of temperature
Dishwasher Not Heating, Drying, or Sanitizing — the symptom this code often shows up alongside

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.