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LG HE

LG Dishwasher Error HE: Dishwasher Heating Error

Clear meaning, realistic next steps, and safe guidance without turning the page into a long repair manual.

What it means

LG dishwasher error HE usually means the machine is not heating the wash water correctly.

Severity

High - stop using the LG dishwasher until the cause is understood or professional help is arranged.

Can you fix it yourself?

No — call a technician

Most likely cause

Heating element burned out — element has open-circuited and no longer heats

Estimated time for safe first checks: Professional service required.

Step-by-Step DIY Fix Guide

  1. SAFETY: Turn off power at the breaker before inspecting anything beyond routine supply checks.
  2. Run the nearby sink tap hot first and confirm hot water is actually reaching the dishwasher supply.
  3. Restart a normal cycle once after confirming the hot-water supply is available.
  4. If HE returns, stop at that point rather than forcing repeated cycles.
  5. Use your exact model manual before ordering any LG dishwasher heater or sensor parts.

If HE returns after the hot-water checks

  • If the sink hot water is normal but the dishwasher still shows HE, the heater or sensing path becomes more likely.
  • If wash performance has also dropped, treat the fault as active rather than just informational.
  • If the code appears immediately after starting, the control may be recognizing a known heating-path problem quickly.

What This Error Means

LG dishwasher error HE means the machine is not heating the wash water the way it expects. That can show up as poor cleaning, unusually short warm-up behavior, or a cycle that stops when the heater path fails to respond normally.

This is not usually a simple filter-cleaning code. The first useful consumer checks are whether the dishwasher is on a normal hot-water supply and whether the household hot water is reaching the sink correctly.

If basic hot-water conditions look normal and HE returns, the heater or temperature-sensor path becomes more likely.

Most Likely Cause by Symptom

The dishwasher seems to run, but dishes come out poorly cleaned or not very warm.

Likely cause: The heater path is not raising water temperature normally.

Check first: Confirm the nearby sink hot water is actually reaching temperature before restarting the machine.

HE appears quickly even after a restart.

Likely cause: The control is recognizing a repeat heater or temperature-sensor problem.

Check first: Stop at the supply checks and arrange service if the code returns.

Common Causes

  • Incoming hot water is too cool at the start of the cycle.
  • The heating element or heater circuit is failing.
  • The temperature sensor is reading incorrectly.
  • A wiring or control-side fault is interrupting normal water heating.

What Not to Do

  • Do not keep restarting full cycles if the dishwasher is not heating normally.
  • Do not assume a detergent issue when the code is pointing more directly to water heating.

Model and Display Variation Notes

Model-family notes

  • LG dishwasher heating layouts vary by family, but HE still points first to the heater and temperature-sensing path.
  • A dishwasher can still fill and circulate water even when the heating side is failing.

Display and panel differences

  • Panel wording can vary by series, so confirm the exact code pattern before buying parts.

Parts, Tools and Service Options

Service option

Service visit if HE returns after the hot-water supply checks are complete.

Manual and model check

Check your exact model and manual before ordering any LG dishwasher heater or sensor parts.

Common parts

  • Heating element if element has failed ($20–$60)
  • Thermal cutout/high-limit thermostat if tripped ($10–$30)
  • Main control board if heater relay has failed ($80–$200)

This section stays service-first because the page points more strongly toward support or professional repair than a routine parts purchase.

When Not to Keep Troubleshooting

HE returns after confirming normal hot-water supply.

  • Cleaning performance is poor and the dishwasher will not heat correctly.
  • You suspect a heater, thermistor, or control-side heating fault.

How to Prevent It Recurring

  • Run the dishwasher at least once a week — prolonged periods of inactivity allow water to sit in the sump and can accelerate element corrosion

Related Error Codes

Extra notes

  • This page is based on LG support material and stays conservative where model-specific guidance may vary.
  • The goal is to help you identify safe first checks before you move into parts, service, or model-specific manual lookup.

Source and model notes

Last reviewed: 2026-04-08

Based on: Based on LG dishwasher heating-fault guidance and edited to help users separate hot-water supply issues from a real heater-path fault.

View LG US Official Support

Model coverage note: Heating and thermistor layout vary by LG dishwasher family, so use this page as a safe first-pass guide rather than a model-specific service procedure.

Important: FixThisError is an independent guide, not the manufacturer. Use your model-specific manual when the panel wording or behavior differs.

Always disconnect power before inspecting appliances. If unsure, contact a licensed appliance technician.