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LG Dishwasher Error Code HE

Call a professionalReviewed November 2026Checked against manufacturer documentation
What this code means
HE: Heater circuit failure — wash water is not heating normally

The water is either not getting hot or the machine thinks it got far too hot, so it stopped for safety. Dishes usually come out cold, wet and poorly cleaned when this is brewing. The heater and its wiring live underneath the tub, so beyond a reset there is little to fix from the front.

Fix level
Call a professional
The checks on this page are preliminary. The likely fix involves a part, wiring or the control board.
Time to run the checks
About 20–40 minutes
For the 4 checks on this page — not a full repair.
You may need
Multimeter
Named in the checks below.
Parts that may be involved
Heating element, Heater assembly wiring (+1 more below)
Parts are model-specific; see the note below before ordering.

Common causes

  1. Failed heating element
  2. Damaged wiring or connector in the heater circuit
  3. Temperature reading fault making the control think the water overheated
  4. Electronic control board fault

What to check, in order

Safety first. Switch the dishwasher off and unplug it (or turn off its breaker) before checking hoses or filters. Expect water in the bottom of the tub and around the filter; keep a tray and towel ready. If you are not comfortable with any step, stop and call a technician.
  1. Switch the machine off at the wall for ten minutes, then run a hot cycle to see whether the code returns
  2. Open the door right after a cycle and check whether the inside is warm and steamy; cold dishes support a real heating fault
  3. Make sure your home water heater is supplying hot water normally, since very hot or very cold supply can confuse diagnosis
  4. If the code comes straight back, stop here — heater testing needs the machine opened up and a multimeter, which is a technician's job

Clear the code and test

  1. Fix what the checks above found first — a filter cleaned, a hose straightened, the spray arms freed. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
  2. Close the door, plug the dishwasher back in (or restore its breaker) and make sure the water tap is open.
  3. Run the shortest programme and stay nearby for the first minutes, watching for leaks and listening for the drain pump.
  4. If the programme finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write down the code and when it appeared before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.

When to call a professional

This code usually points to a faulty part, wiring or the control board on a LG dishwasher. Run the checks above to rule out the simple causes, then book a technician — and book one straight away if any of these apply:

  • The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
  • You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
  • Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
  • The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.

When you call, give the brand, the code HE, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.

Repair or replace?

This fault is in professional territory: the fix usually means a major part or board-level work, and the labour adds up. If your machine is already well into its service life, get the repair quote first, then compare it with the price of a current equivalent model before you decide. Paying a large share of a new machine's price to repair an old one is rarely the better deal; replacing a machine over one cheap fault is wasteful too.

Parts that may be involved

Heating elementHeater assembly wiringElectronic control board

Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.

Questions people ask about HE

What does HE mean on a LG dishwasher?

HE means: Heater circuit failure — wash water is not heating normally. The water is either not getting hot or the machine thinks it got far too hot, so it stopped for safety. Dishes usually come out cold, wet and poorly cleaned when this is brewing. The heater and its wiring live underneath the tub, so beyond a reset there is little to fix from the front.

Can I fix LG HE myself?

Only the preliminary checks. Code HE usually means a part, wiring or the control board has failed, which is a technician job. Run the checks to rule out simple causes before you book.

How do I clear LG HE?

Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.

Sources checked

The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.

Other LG dishwasher codes

LG AEWater leak detected in the base of the machineLG CEMotor operation errorLG CLChild lock / control lock is on — not an errorLG CRTest mode is active — not an errorLG FEToo much water has entered the tubLG IEWater is not filling, or is filling too slowlyLG LEWash (circulation) motor problem — motor stalled or not runningLG OEWater is not draining out of the tubLG PFPower failure — the cycle lost powerLG bEToo many suds (bubble error) or machine not levelLG dEDoor is not registering as closed and latchedLG nEVario (diverter) motor fault — spray is not switching between armsLG tEThermistor (water temperature sensor) failure