Dishwasher stops mid-cycle and displays AE; sometimes continuous beeping and drain pump runs constantly.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker, and turn off the water supply before working on the unit.
This code means the leak sensor in the base has detected water.
- Check for over-foaming: If you recently used regular dish soap or too much detergent, open the door and look for excessive suds. Scoop out suds with a container and wipe the tub with a towel. Run a short rinse cycle with no detergent to clear remaining suds.
- Drain the base pan: Carefully pull the dishwasher out from under the counter (remove mounting screws at the top). Tilt the unit slightly backward (about 30°) and place towels under the front. If water drains from the base, dry the base pan thoroughly with towels or a sponge.
- Inspect hoses and connections: With the unit pulled out and power still off, remove the lower side panels (if accessible). Check the inlet hose, drain hose, and circulation pump to sump hose for cracks, loose clamps, or drips. Tighten hose clamps and replace any visibly damaged hoses.
- Check door seal: Inspect the door gasket and bottom door seal for tears, warping, or debris. Clean the gasket and replace it if it is cracked or flattened.
- Reset and test: Reassemble, restore power and water, and run a quick cycle while watching the base area with a flashlight to confirm there are no new leaks.
If AE returns and no obvious leak is found, the leak sensor / float switch or the main PCB may be faulty and should be tested or replaced by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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