LG LDFN4542S dishwasher
- Category
- Dishwashers
- Model number
- LDFN4542S, LDFN4542S.ASSESNA, LDFN4542W, LDFN4542W.ABWESNA, LDFN4542B, LDFN4542B.ABPESNA, LDFN4542D, LDFN4542D.ABDESNA
- Region
- United States and Canada
- Verified
- Rating label
- On the right edge of the door, or on the right side of the tub liner, visible with the door open. Source: support page
- Error AE
- Error OE
- Error bE
- Error IE
- Error LE
- Error FE
- Error HE
- Error tE
- Error NE
- CL
- P1–P4, L0–L4, N:#, U:#, d:#, t#
- Dishwasher is not draining well
- Cycle does not start and the time flashes
- Spots, streaks or poor drying
- Foam in the tub or poor washing
- White spots or odor inside the tub
- How to clean the filters
- How to clean the spray arms
- How to run Machine Clean
- How to clean the air gap
- How to change the rinse aid setting
Nothing on this page matches. Search all models
Error codes
| Code | Meaning | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| AE | Water leakage. The dishwasher keeps draining and switches itself back on if power is turned off, until the AE error is resolved. | 2 causes |
| OE | Drainage problem: water is not pumping out. | 3 causes |
| bE | Oversudsing, usually from the wrong detergent. LG also lists an unlevel dishwasher as a cause. | 2 causes |
| IE | Water inlet problem: water is not coming in. | Checks |
| LE | Wash motor error. LG gives no owner check. | Checks |
| FE | Too much water was supplied. LG gives no owner check. | Checks |
| HE | Heater circuit failure. LG gives no owner check. | Checks |
| tE | Water temperature sensor error. LG gives no owner check. | Checks |
| NE | Vario motor error. LG gives no owner check. | Checks |
| CL | Not an error. Control Lock is on, so every button except Power is locked. It does not lock the door. | Checks |
| P1–P4, L0–L4, N:#, U:#, d:#, t# | Not errors. P1 to P4 show the selected Download Cycle (default P1, Pots & Pans), L0 to L4 show the rinse-aid level setting, and N:, U:, d: or t with a number means test mode. | Checks |
IE
IE in the display. Water inlet problem: water is not coming in.
- Check the water inlet hose for clogs, kinks and ice.
- Check that the water supply to the dishwasher is on.
LE
LE in the display. Wash motor error. LG gives no owner check.
FE
FE in the display. Too much water was supplied. LG gives no owner check.
HE
HE in the display. Heater circuit failure. LG gives no owner check.
tE
tE in the display. Water temperature sensor error. LG gives no owner check.
NE
NE in the display. Vario motor error. LG gives no owner check.
CL
CL in the display. Not an error. Control Lock is on, so every button except Power is locked. It does not lock the door.
- Press and hold Half Load and Energy Saver together for 3 seconds to switch Control Lock off. Switch it off before starting a new cycle.
Source Source: Troubleshooting: Error Messages; Control Panel, p. 38
P1–P4, L0–L4, N:#, U:#, d:#, t#
A letter with a number in the display. Not errors. P1 to P4 show the selected Download Cycle (default P1, Pots & Pans), L0 to L4 show the rinse-aid level setting, and N:, U:, d: or t with a number means test mode.
- Turn the dishwasher off and on again; the code disappears.
Problems
- Dishwasher is not draining well2 causes in the manual. First: the air gap or the in-sink garbage disposal is clogged. Both are household plumbing, not part of the dishwasher, and the warranty does not cover cleaning them.
- Cycle does not start and the time flashes2 causes in the manual. First: the door was not closed within 4 seconds of pressing Start, or the door was closed without pressing Start. A tone sounds and the white time LED flashes.
- Spots, streaks or poor drying2 causes in the manual. First: the rinse aid is empty (the Rinse Aid icon flashes) or the dispenser setting is too low.
- Foam in the tub or poor washing2 causes in the manual. First: the rinse aid setting is too high.
- White spots or odor inside the tubResidual soil, detergent build-up or hard-water deposits inside the dishwasher.
White spots or odor inside the tub
Residual soil, detergent build-up or hard-water deposits inside the dishwasher. Source: Maintenance: Cleaning the Interior, p. 33
- Run the Machine Clean cycle with citric acid. See Run Machine Clean.
- Or run an empty cycle without detergent, with 1 cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the upper rack. Vinegar is an acid; constant use can damage the dishwasher.
Dishwasher chimes when the door is opened
Normal. The chime warns that the inside is hot when the door is opened during or just after a cycle, and stops once the dishwasher cools. Source: Operation: Quick Start, p. 24
Fan runs after the Normal cycle ends
Normal. After Normal the fan runs for an hour to vent warm, moist air. Opening the door stops it. Source: Wash Cycles: Normal, p. 26
How-to
- How to clean the filtersAfter each load for best results. With hard water, at least once a month with a soft brush. Also when OE appears or water drains poorly.
- How to clean the spray armsEvery two weeks, and when dishes come out dirty because spray holes are blocked.
- How to run Machine CleanOnce a month or every 30 cycles, when the Machine Clean icon flashes, or after a long period unused (then without any cleaning agent).
- How to clean the air gapWhen the dishwasher drains poorly or shows OE, if the sink has a drain air gap.
- How to change the rinse aid settingRaise it for spots, streaks, calcium build-up or poor drying; lower it if the dishwasher foams.
Maintenance
| Task | When | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clean the filters | After each load; at least monthly with hard water | Source: Maintenance: Cleaning the Filters, p. 34 |
| Clean the spray arms | Every two weeks | Source: Maintenance: Cleaning the Spray Arm, p. 35 |
| Run Machine Clean with citric acid | Monthly or every 30 cycles; the icon flashes every 30 cycles | Source: Maintenance: Using Machine Clean; Control Panel, p. 33 |
| Wipe the interior with a soft, damp cloth or sponge | Periodically | Source: Maintenance: Cleaning the Interior, p. 33 |
| Clean the exterior with a soft damp cloth and mild soap; polish stainless steel along the grain; no scrub pads or abrasive cleaners | As needed; wipe off cooking oil at once | Source: Maintenance: Cleaning the Exterior, p. 33 |
| Close the water valve, disconnect power or switch off the breaker, and clean the filter, tub and dispenser | Before a long absence in warm months | Source: Seasonal Maintenance and Storage, p. 36 |
| Have the supply lines and the dishwasher winterized by qualified service personnel (professional service) | Before a long absence when it may freeze | Source: Seasonal Maintenance and Storage, p. 36 |
Settings
| Setting | Options | Default | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinse aid level | L0, L1, L2, L3, L4 | L2 | Higher for hard water and spots; too high causes foaming. At L0 the Rinse Aid icon no longer warns when the dispenser is empty. | Source: Rinse Aid Dispenser Adjustment, p. 31 |
| Control Lock | Hold Half Load and Energy Saver for 3 seconds | Locks every button except Power; does not lock the door. CL shows in the display. | Source: Control Panel: Control Lock, p. 25 | |
| Button sounds | Hold Dual Zone and Energy Saver for 3 seconds | The error alert sound cannot be switched off. | Source: Control Panel: Chime On/Off, p. 26 | |
| Machine Clean reminder | Hold Delicate for 3 seconds to switch on or off | The Machine Clean icon flashes every 30 cycles. | Source: Control Panel: Display, p. 25 | |
| End display | Hold High Temp. for 3 seconds | ENd stays until the door is opened or Power is pressed | When changed, ENd turns off automatically a few minutes after the cycle. | Source: Operation: Quick Start, p. 24 |
| Night Dry | Hold Extra Dry for 3 seconds | On for every cycle that offers it except Normal | Runs the vent fan from time to time so steam does not condense on dishes left overnight. | Source: Options and Extra Functions: Night Dry, p. 27 |
| Delay Start | 1 to 12 hours, in 1-hour steps | Source: Options and Extra Functions: Delay Start, p. 27 | ||
| Cancel | Hold Start for 3 seconds | The drain pump runs, the cycle is cancelled and the power turns off after draining. | Source: Control Panel: Cancel Button, p. 26 |
Parts and consumables
| Item | Replace or refill | Specification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rinse aid | Depends on use and the rinse aid setting | Dishwasher rinse aid; the Rinse Aid icon flashes when it needs refilling | Source: Refilling the Rinse Aid, p. 31 |
| Detergent | – | Detergent made for automatic dishwashers only. Add it before every cycle except Rinse. | Source: Adding Detergent to the Dispenser, p. 30 |
| Citric acid | Monthly or every 30 cycles | 3 tbsp (40 g) per Machine Clean cycle, in the detergent dispenser | Source: Maintenance: Using Machine Clean, p. 33 |
Specifications
Built-in dishwasher covered by LG's LDF554 and LDFN454 owner's manual (MFL69261755). Faults appear as two-character codes in the control-panel display. Source: Troubleshooting: Error Messages, p. 37
Rated 120 V, 60 Hz AC on a 15 A circuit breaker; water pressure 20–80 psi (140–550 kPa); inlet water 120–149 °F (49–65 °C). Source: Product Specifications, p. 9
CL, P1 to P4, L0 to L4 and test-mode codes in the display are not faults. They show Control Lock, the downloaded cycle, the rinse-aid level and test mode. Source: Troubleshooting: Error Messages, p. 38
| Electrical | 120 V, 60 Hz AC only, 15 A circuit breaker | Source: Product Specifications, p. 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Water pressure | 20–80 psi (140–550 kPa) | Source: Product Specifications, p. 9 |
| Inlet water temperature | 120–149 °F (49–65 °C); connect to the hot water supply only | Source: Product Specifications; Operation: Before Using, p. 9 |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 23 3/4 × 24 5/8 × 33 5/8 in (603 × 625 × 854 mm) | Source: Product Specifications, p. 9 |
| Net weight | 75–89 lb (34–40 kg) | Source: Product Specifications, p. 9 |
Recalls
No exact-model match for LDFN4542S, LDFN4542W, LDFN4542B, LDFN4542D in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database, checked . Recalls can name model families, so also check current recalls for LG.
Service contact
LG Electronics Customer Information Center: 1-800-243-0000, lg.com/us/support. United States (Canada: 1-888-542-2623). Source: Troubleshooting: Error Messages, p. 38
Sources
- Owner's Manual, Dishwasher LDF554 and LDFN454 models (abridged edition). LG Electronics Inc. Document MFL69261755, revision Rev.00, 2023-09-04, 48 pages, en-US. gscs-b2c.lge.com. Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.
All LG handbooks. Report an error to hello@modelhandbook.com.