LG Dishwasher nE Error Code? (here’s why & what to do)
If your LG dishwasher is displaying the nE error code, you might wonder what’s wrong with it. This is because it’s not always obvious at first glance.
The wash, rinse and drying cycles will run as normal and there will be no interruption in the cycles at all. The only way you’ll know that there’s a problem is when you come to unload the dishes and notice that they’re not clean.
In this article we describe exactly what the nE error code means, what causes it and how to remedy the problem.
What Does The nE Error Code Mean On A LG Dishwasher?
The nE error code indicates a fault has been detected in the diverter that distributes water between the spray arms during the wash and rinse cycles. The diverter is controlled by an electric motor, known as the vario motor which powers the diverter switch.
The diverter diverts water from one spray arm to the next at roughly 90 second intervals. Running from the lower spray arm to the middle then to the top and then back down to the middle and onto the lower again.
The diverter switch sends messages to the control board on the changes in location of the valve. If the control board doesn’t receive the right message, the error code nE will be displayed and water won’t flow properly resulting in dirty dishes.
What Causes The nE Error Code To Be Displayed?
| Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Electrical Glitch | Reset the dishwasher |
| Wiring Fault | Contact an expert |
| Defective Vario Motor | Replace vario motor or contact an expert |
| Faulty Diverter Switch | Replace diverter switch or contact an expert |
| Defective Control Board | Contact an expert technician |
There are several things that could cause the LG dishwasher to display the nE error code which include;
Electrical Glitch
All electrical devices can suffer from a glitch at some point. Sometimes described as a hardware malfunction, an electrical glitch can happen at any time.
The best way to clear the glitch is to disconnect the appliance from the power supply for around 10 to 15 minutes.
This should clear any glitch and allow the dishwasher to operate properly again. If the problem persists, then it’s a mechanical and not electrical issue.
Wiring Fault
It is possible that one of the wires connecting to the diverter switch or vario motor have become detached or burnt out. These can be checked by a competent DIYer but we recommend contacting an expert to check and replace any damaged wires.
If you do want to have a go yourself, you will need to disconnect the appliance from the power supply first.
Then remove the bottom kick plate from the dishwasher and inspect all of the wiring. Pay particular attention to the wires connected to the vario motor.
Tighten any loose connections and resemble the appliance before giving it a trial run to see if you’ve solved the issue.
Defective Vario Motor
If the wires appear to be intact, you should check the vario motor. You will need a multimeter to test the vario motor which should read around 4000 ohms. If you get a very different reading, the vario motor will need to be replaced.
This is a relatively easy task for someone with good DIY skills but is probably best left to an expert in the interests of safety. It involves dismantling the lower back panel of the appliance to gain access.
You will then need to disconnect any wires attached to the vario motor before removing the vario motor and installing a new one. Take particular care when installing the new motor to put the wires on correctly.
Faulty Diverter Switch
If the vario motor is OK it could be the diverter switch that is faulty. This can also be checked using the multimeter. The readings should be different with the piston in different positions.
If the resistance is the same in both positions, the diverter switch will need to be replaced.
Defective Control Board
If everything else checks out, the fault is probably caused by a defective control board. The control board is responsible for controlling every aspect of the functionality of the dishwasher.
This will almost certainly need to be replaced, which is a job best left to an expert.
SEE ALSO: LG Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power? Here’s why
Frequently Asked Questions
Error code nE on a LG dishwasher means there’s a problem with the vario motor which controls the water flow to the spray arms. In some cases this is just an electrical glitch that can be cleared by disconnecting the power supply for 10 to 15 minutes.
The nE error code could be caused by an electrical glitch, wiring fault, defective vario motor, faulty diverter switch, or a defective control board.
In some cases, it’s possible to solve this problem by disconnecting the appliance from the power supply for 10 to 15 minutes. If that doesn’t work, inspect the wiring particularly the wiring connected to the vario motor. Other causes could be a faulty vario motor, a faulty diverter switch or a defective control board.
Use a multimeter to test the vario motor, and it should read around 4000 ohms. If the reading is significantly different, the vario motor may need replacement.
The nE error code should be displayed on your dishwasher’s LED screen. If you have this error, you will notice that the dishes are not clean after the wash, rinse, and drying cycles have completed. There won’t be any immediate interruption during the cycles.
