LG Dishwasher E13 Error Code: What It Means & What to Check

Q: My LG dishwasher is showing an E13 error code. What does it mean?

A: On many LG dishwashers, E13 indicates a drain problem—often a kinked, clogged, or frozen drain hose or a sump draining issue. In plain terms, the dishwasher is trying to pump water out, but it is not draining the way the control expects.

This can be caused by a simple hose restriction, an extension hose issue, debris in the drain path, or a failing drain-related component. There are several homeowner-safe checks you can try before scheduling service.

Common Symptoms You May Notice

• E13 error code appears during or near the drain portion of the cycle
• Water left in the bottom of the tub after the cycle
• Dishwasher stops mid-cycle
• Drain pump sound but little or no water leaving
• Slow draining or repeated drain attempts
• Musty odor from standing water

Safety First (Homeowner-Safe)

• Turn off power to the dishwasher before inspecting hoses or the drain path.
• Use towels to catch water spills when checking the drain hose.
• Be careful around sharp edges under the sink and behind the dishwasher.
• Do not force hoses or fittings if they are stuck.
• If you see active leaking, stop troubleshooting and shut off power/water as needed.

Quick Checks You Can Try First

1. Check the drain hose for kinks or pinching
   Inspect the hose behind the dishwasher and under the sink. A crushed or sharply bent hose can cause E13.
2. Clear obvious clogs in the drain hose path
   If the hose is blocked with debris or buildup, drainage can slow enough to trigger the code.
3. Remove unnecessary drain hose extensions (if present)
   Extra hose length or poor routing can reduce drain performance and cause drain errors.
4. Check for freezing (if the hose runs through a cold area)
   In some installations, a frozen section of drain hose can block water flow.
5. Inspect the sink drain / disposer connection
   A blocked sink drain or disposer connection can prevent proper dishwasher draining.
6. Restart the dishwasher after correcting the drain path
   After unkinking/clearing/thawing, run a short cycle and monitor drainage.

Common Causes of an LG Dishwasher E13 Error

• Kinked or pinched drain hose
• Clogged drain hose or drain path
• Frozen drain hose (installation/environment dependent)
• Drain hose extension or routing problem
• Drain pump not moving water properly
• Sump draining issue / sump restriction
• Sump sensor fault (if equipped/applicable by model)
• Wiring connection issue in the drain circuit

Likely Parts / Components Involved

• Drain pump
• Drain hose
• Sump / sump components
• Sump sensor (model-dependent)
• Wiring harness / connectors
• Main control board (less common)

When to Call Beacon Services & Appliances

If the E13 code returns after you unkink/clear the drain hose, remove extension issues, and restart the dishwasher, it’s time for a service-level diagnosis. A technician can test the drain pump, inspect the sump, and verify whether a sensor or wiring issue is causing the drain fault.

At Beacon Services & Appliances, our friendly technicians in yellow can diagnose LG dishwasher drain issues and help get your dishwasher draining normally again.

Request service online or call (352) 726-7530. You can also visit www.BeaconSaves.com.

📍 Contact Beacon Services & Appliances
📞 (352) 726-7530
🌐 www.BeaconSaves.com