Dishwasher
LG
Updated Jul 18, 2026
LG Dishwasher IE Error — Water Inlet Fault & How to Fix It
IE
LG · DishwasherIE on an LG dishwasher means the machine did not fill with enough water within 10 minutes.…
Quick answer
IE on an LG dishwasher means the machine did not fill with enough water within 10 minutes. The water supply is blocked, too slow, or the inlet valve is faulty.
What IE means
When you start a wash cycle, the LG dishwasher opens its inlet valve and expects the tub to reach the correct water level within about 10 minutes. If it does not, the machine stops and displays IE (Inlet Error). The cycle will not proceed until the water supply issue is resolved.
IE is one of the most common LG dishwasher codes, and in most cases the fix is outside the machine — a closed tap, kinked hose, or low water pressure.
Quick check: Before opening anything, make sure the water supply shut-off valve under the sink is fully open (turn counterclockwise as far as it goes). This is the number one cause of IE.
Step-by-step fix
- Check the water supply valve. Located under the kitchen sink — turn it fully counterclockwise (open). On new installations, the installer may have closed it.
- Check the supply hose. The braided hose connecting the valve to the dishwasher must not be kinked, bent, or crushed by anything. Straighten any bends.
- Check water pressure. LG dishwashers require 20-120 PSI. Open the kitchen faucet — if flow is weak, pressure is too low. Wait for off-peak hours or call a plumber.
- Clean the inlet filter screen. Turn off the water supply. Disconnect the supply hose at the dishwasher end. Inside the inlet connection is a small mesh screen — remove it and clean debris with a toothbrush under running water.
- Check the drain hose height. If the drain hose outlet is lower than the dishwasher base, water may siphon out during fill. The drain hose end must be at least 25 cm above the dishwasher base.
- Check leveling. An unlevel dishwasher can cause fill issues. Use a spirit level on the door and adjust the front legs.
- Reset and test. Press POWER off, wait 10 seconds, press POWER on, and start a new cycle.
What does the IE code mean?
IE indicates the dishwasher did not receive enough water within the fill time (approximately 10 minutes). The water inlet system has a fault.
Common causes
- Water supply valve closed or partially closed (most common)
- Kinked or crushed supply hose
- Low water pressure (below 20 PSI)
- Clogged inlet filter screen (sediment, debris)
- Drain hose too low causing water to siphon out during fill
- Dishwasher not level
- Faulty water inlet valve solenoid
- Frozen supply line (cold climates)
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How to fix the IE error
Check supply valve
Under the kitchen sink — turn fully counterclockwise (open).
Check supply hose
Straighten any kinks or bends.
Check water pressure
Kitchen faucet should have strong flow. Minimum 20 PSI required.
Clean inlet filter
Turn off water, disconnect hose at dishwasher, clean the mesh screen.
Check drain hose height
Must be at least 25 cm above the dishwasher base.
Level the dishwasher
Use a spirit level on the door.
Reset
Power off 10 seconds, restart cycle.
Safety first: Always turn off the water supply valve before disconnecting any hoses. Have towels ready to catch residual water.
Part you may need: Water inlet valve / inlet filter screen
If the inlet valve solenoid has failed, it will not open even with good water pressure. A technician can test it with a multimeter.
Frequently asked questions
IE on a new installation?
The installer likely left the supply valve closed. Open it fully.
IE only happens sometimes?
Intermittent low water pressure (common during peak hours) can cause occasional IE. Try running during off-peak times.
Can I bypass IE?
No — the dishwasher will not proceed without the correct water level. Fix the supply issue.
✎ Written by
REZAUL Karim (Riad)
REZAUL Karim (Riad) is the founder of ErrFixHub and a hands-on electronics and home-appliance repair specialist with over 15 years of experience diagnosing and fixing air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, inverters and other household appliances. He built ErrFixHub to turn cryptic error codes into clear, step-by-step fixes anyone can follow — cross-checking every code against manufacturer documentation and real repair-bench experience.
