Thermistor (Temperature Sensor) Error

Home Appliance Error Codes LG Dishwashers

Can you still use it? With care until repaired

Who can fix it? Needs a technician

Typical repair time 30 minutes – 2 hours

Typical cost SAR 80 to 1,500

What it means

This code appears on LG dishwashers with a digital display and means the main board is reading an impossible value from the water temperature sensor (thermistor), usually because the sensor or its connection is open or shorted. Without a correct reading the dishwasher cannot control heating, so it stops the cycle or washes without heat. The same code on LG washing machines has its own page, and it can mean something else on other brands.

Models covered: LG dishwashers with a digital display; the code shows on the display.

Symptoms4

TE shows at the start of the cycle or during heating.
Dishes come out cold or not fully clean.
Poor drying.
The code returns after a restart.

Possible causes5

Loose or corroded sensor connector from moisture.
Failed temperature sensor, open or shorted.
Broken or chafed sensor wire under the tub.
A failed heater on models where the sensor is part of the heater assembly.
A fault in the sensor input circuit on the main board.

How to diagnose5

Unplug the dishwasher for a few minutes and restart; if the code returns, the fault is real.
Check there is no water leaking under the unit that could reach the connectors.
A technician unplugs the dishwasher before opening it, then measures the sensor resistance against the LG temperature-resistance table.
The technician checks the sensor connector and wiring for corrosion and breaks.
If the sensor and wiring are good, the main board is at fault.

How to fix5

Clean and reseat the sensor connector.
Repair a broken or chafed sensor wire.
Replace the temperature sensor, or the heater assembly if the sensor is built into it.
Replace the main board only after the sensor and wiring are confirmed good.
Run a hot cycle and confirm the dishes come out warm without the code returning.

Repair cost

0–200

200–600

600–1,500

1,500+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

Most cases are solved with a new sensor or a connector repair at low cost; the price rises if the sensor is built into the heater assembly and is highest if the main board is at fault.

Prices are rough estimates including the part and the technician’s fee, and vary with brand, model and part source.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is the temperature sensor expensive?

Not on most models, but on some it is built into the heater, so the repair means replacing the assembly, which costs more.

Is TE on a dishwasher the same as on a washing machine?

Both relate to temperature, but on a dishwasher it specifically means a temperature sensor fault, and each appliance has different parts and checks.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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