LG Dishwasher Error Code dE: Drain Error Fix

The Logic Verdict

Chris from Appliance Helper runs through four quick checks that point straight to a dying drain pump. He forces a drain by turning the dishwasher on, tapping Normal, then holding Normal + Delicate for three seconds. When the tub only half-empties, the dishes stay dirty, the pump squeals, and the windings test above 5 Ω, he calls the pump bad and swaps it. Every symptom ties back to a weak EAU62043401 pump, so he jumps right to replacement once blockages are ruled out.

What It Means

dE (which looks like OE on some displays) = the dishwasher couldn’t move water out during the drain stage. The control expects the tub to empty within a timed window. If the sump still shows water after a forced drain or the hall-effect sensor never sees the water level drop, the board stops the cycle and flashes dE until the restriction or failed pump is fixed.

Common Causes

• Worn drain pump motor. LG pumps should measure roughly 3–4 Ω; anything higher means weak windings that can’t spin the impeller under load.
• Partial clogs in the drain hose or garbage disposal knockout. Food sludge or an uncleared knockout keeps water in the tub and mimics a failed pump.
• Kinked or elevated drain line. If the line loops too high behind the cabinet, the pump has to fight gravity and stalls mid-cycle.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Force a drain test. Power the dishwasher on, tap Normal, then hold Normal + Delicate for three seconds just like the video. The machine should start pumping water out immediately. If the cycle times out and water still covers the filter screen, the control is detecting a drain failure and will flash dE/0E.
2. Check for blockages. Pull the lower rack, inspect the sump screen for seeds or broken glass, and make sure the drain hose isn’t kinked or clogged where it meets the garbage disposal/air gap. Clearing a blockage that lets the tub empty will clear dE without parts.
3. Listen for pump noise. A healthy pump hums quietly. The video’s failing motor emits a high-pitched squeal as it struggles; that noise plus standing water almost always means the pump bearings or windings are shot.
4. Test pump resistance. Kill power at the breaker, remove the toe-kick, unplug the two pump leads, and meter the terminals. Readings between 3–4 Ω indicate a good motor. Anything above ~5 Ω or OL matches the bad pump shown in the clip and confirms replacement.
5. Swap the pump assembly. Lay a towel under the sump, release the two hose clamps, twist the old pump counter-clockwise, and lift it out. Install the new EAU62043401 pump, making sure the O-ring seats, reattach the hoses/clamps, and plug the leads back in.
6. Reassemble and verify. Reinstall the toe-kick, restore power, and rerun the manual drain command. The tub should empty completely, the squeal disappears, and the control will stop throwing dE once it senses the water level drop.

Parts & Tools

• LG EAU62043401 drain pump assembly (restores full drain power and clears dE/0E)
• Klein MM400 multimeter (confirms the pump stays within the 3–4 Ω spec)

Resources