What you might notice with a TE code

• Cycle stops mid-wash or won’t complete
• Dishes come out cool or not as clean (reduced heating performance)
• Longer-than-normal cycle times
• TE appears soon after starting, or during the heating portion of the cycle

Safety first

• If you smell burning, see smoke, or notice melted wiring/plastic, turn the dishwasher off and switch the breaker off.
• Do not attempt internal electrical repairs unless trained. Dishwashers combine electricity and water — safety matters.
• If there is standing water and the unit won’t drain, avoid repeated restarts. Address drainage first.

Common causes of LG dishwasher TE

• Thermistor failure (temperature sensor reading out of spec)
• Loose or corroded connection at the thermistor or harness
• Heater circuit issue (heater not warming water properly)
• Wiring harness damage (pinched, broken, or heat-damaged wiring)
• Control board issue (not powering the heater correctly or misreading the sensor)
• Incoming water not hot enough (less common, but it can contribute if the machine can’t reach target temperature)

Quick checks you can do at home

1) Do a proper power reset

1. Turn the dishwasher off.
2. Switch the dishwasher breaker OFF for 5 minutes.
3. Switch it back ON and start a new cycle.

If TE was triggered by a one-time glitch, it may clear. If it returns, keep going.

2) Run your kitchen sink hot first (helps the dishwasher start with hot water)

Before starting the dishwasher, run the hot water at the sink closest to the dishwasher until it’s fully hot. Then start the cycle.

This is especially helpful if your dishwasher is far from the water heater, or if the hot water line takes time to warm up.

3) Check for basic flow issues that can affect heating

• Make sure the dishwasher has normal water fill (you should hear it filling early in the cycle).
• Clean the filter area if it’s accessible and safe to do so (follow the owner’s manual).
• Avoid heavily overloading; poor circulation can make heating performance look worse.

4) Look for repeat patterns

• If TE appears at the same time every cycle (often during heating), that points more strongly to a heater/sensor circuit issue.
• If TE appears randomly and clears sometimes, loose connections or a failing sensor can be involved.

5) (If you’re comfortable) verify wiring to the thermistor is seated

Because this can require opening panels, only do this if you are trained and the breaker is off. Otherwise, skip this step and schedule service. A technician can safely check connectors and harness continuity.

When TE usually means you need service

Schedule service if:

• TE returns after a power reset
• The dishwasher repeatedly stops mid-cycle
• Dishes come out consistently cool or poorly cleaned
• You’ve tried starting with hot water and the code still returns

At that point, the likely repair involves testing the thermistor and its wiring, verifying the heater circuit is functioning, and confirming whether the control board is powering and reading the system correctly.

Local Help in Citrus County, FL

If your LG dishwasher is showing TE, Beacon Services & Appliances can help. Our friendly technicians in yellow can diagnose the thermistor and heater circuit, check wiring connections, and get your dishwasher running reliably again.

Request service online or call (352) 726-7530.

Beacon Services & Appliances
(352) 726-7530 • www.BeaconSaves.com.