LG AE washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What AE actually means

Water has been detected in the base of the machine, so LG's anti-flood sensor has shut the wash down to stop a leak spreading across your floor.

There's a float-type flood sensor sitting in the bottom of the drum tub area. If water collects there, the machine stops filling and locks out with this code rather than carry on and empty itself onto the kitchen floor. It's not a guess by the machine ay - something upstream has genuinely leaked, even if you can't see a puddle yet.

What AE looks like on a LG washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a LG washing machine, AE usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

A split or perished door seal letting water run down the front
Heavy limescale on the door glass breaking the seal against the rubber
A loose or leaking fill hose connection at the back
A leak from the pump, sump hose or drum seal inside the base
Overfoaming from too much detergent forcing water past a seal

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on u the sensor won't clear until the water has gone, so the code often comes straight back
Pull back the door seal and feel round it for splits, grit or trapped coins, and look for stain trails running down the glass or the front of the drum
Check the tap and fill hose connections at the back for damp or drips, and look under the sink unit where the hose joins
Look under the machine with a torch for pooled water n if there's water on the floor, turn the tap off and leave it
Cut back on detergent for the next wash if you've been using more than the dose recommended

Common questions about LG AE

What does AE mean on a LG washing machine?

Water has been detected in the base of the machine, so LG's anti-flood sensor has shut the wash down to stop a leak spreading across your floor. There's a float-type flood sensor sitting in the bottom of the drum tub area. If water collects there, the machine stops filling and locks out with this code rather than carry on and empty itself onto the kitchen floor. It's not a guess by the machine ay - something upstream has genuinely leaked, even if you can't see a puddle yet.

Can I fix LG AE myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on u the sensor won't clear until the water has gone, so the code often comes straight back.
Pull back the door seal and feel round it for splits, grit or trapped coins, and look for stain trails running down the glass or the front of the drum.
Check the tap and fill hose connections at the back for damp or drips, and look under the sink unit where the hose joins.
Look under the machine with a torch for pooled water n if there's water on the floor, turn the tap off and leave it.
Cut back on detergent for the next wash if you've been using more than the dose recommended.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair LG AE?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing AE?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other LG washing machine codes

All LG fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

LG AE error — washing machine