LG Dishwasher Diagnostic Mode. How To Enter?

When many people face trouble with their LG dishwashers, their first instinct is to call a qualified technician to troubleshoot and fix the problem. However, that doesn’t have to be the first step you take. Instead, you can use the machine’s diagnostic mode to narrow the problem to its root cause.

You can enter the diagnostic or ‘test’ mode on an LG dishwasher by pressing the Power and Start buttons simultaneously. There are 7 tests in total, and you can cycle through them manually by pushing the Start button when you’re ready to move to the next stage.

So, before you spend money calling a technician, use the test mode to troubleshoot the problem yourself. This guide will show you how to do that and also explain what each of the 7 tests does.

Here are the 5 steps you’ll want to follow to enter diagnostic mode on your LG dishwasher and cycle through its many tests:

Step 1: Enter Test Mode

The diagnostic mode on LG dishwashers is commonly called ‘test mode’. So, don’t be confused if you see that term used in the user manual and other technical materials.

Entering the test mode is incredibly straightforward. You only have to press the Power and Start buttons simultaneously.

There are 7 tests will be explained to you in the second half of this guide.

Read: 5 LG Dishwasher Problems You Need To Know

Step 2: Close Dispenser Door And Machine Door

When entering the test mode, close the detergent dispenser door and then close the dishwasher door.

All the lights on the display will turn on while you’re in test mode. You’ll also see the display flashing with numbers or alphabets related to the current test being run.

Step 3: Begin First Test

Next, press Start again to begin the first test. For LG dishwashers, that first one will test your detergent dispenser to ensure it’s working.

Again, you’ll learn about each of the 7 tests in the next section.

Step 4: Cycle Through Tests

Each of the 7 tests in your LG dishwasher’s diagnostic mode will run continuously until you cycle through to the next one.

You can cycle to the next test by pressing the Start button again.

By having to do that manually, you can control how long each test runs. It also allows you to skip to the specific test you want to perform instead of waiting.

Read: How To Fix LG Dishwasher Which Has No Power?

Step 5: Finish Diagnostic Tests

Finally, you can end and exit the diagnostic mode by pressing the Start button again while the seventh and final test is running.

Earlier, you saw the 5 steps to enter diagnostic mode and cycle through the different tests.

Here is what you need to know about each of those 7 tests:

Test #1: Detergent Dispenser

About this part: The detergent dispenser is responsible for distributing dishwasher detergent during a wash cycle. 

This first test ensures that the solenoid can correctly open and close that dispenser door.

What appears on the display: While running the first test, the display will show the sump temperature in Celsius.

Read: How To Fix LE Error Code On LG Dishwasher?

Test #2: Door Vent Blower Motor

About this part: Your LG dishwasher relies on a blower motor to drive air through the door vent. Doing so helps remove excess moisture, speeding up the drying process for your dishes inside.

The second test ensures that the blower motor is working as it should.

What appears on the display: The display will only show that you’re in the second test in the dishwasher’s test mode. It won’t display any other diagnostic information at this time.

Test #3: Soil Sensor

About this part: LG dishwashers also have a soil sensor that measures how dirty the items inside still are. With that information, the dishwasher can lengthen or shorten the cleaning cycle time as needed.

What appears on the display: During this test, the dishwasher will show the current soil level inside the machine.

Test #4: Drain Motor

About this part: Gravity helps to remove used water from the dishwasher. However, there’s also a drain motor that helps to drive water out more efficiently.

The fourth test ensures the drain motor is functioning without clogs, jams, or other problems.

What appears on the display: While the fourth test is running, the display will show the drain motor’s turning speed, measured in revolutions per minute or RPMs.

When many people face trouble with their LG dishwashers, their first instinct is to call a qualified technician to troubleshoot and fix the problem. However, that doesn’t have to be the first step you take. Instead, you can use the machine’s diagnostic mode to narrow the problem to its root cause.

You can enter the diagnostic or ‘test’ mode on an LG dishwasher by pressing the Power and Start buttons simultaneously. There are 7 tests in total, and you can cycle through them manually by pushing the Start button when you’re ready to move to the next stage.

So, before you spend money calling a technician, use the test mode to troubleshoot the problem yourself. This guide will show you how to do that and also explain what each of the 7 tests does.

Here are the 5 steps you’ll want to follow to enter diagnostic mode on your LG dishwasher and cycle through its many tests:

Step 1: Enter Test Mode

The diagnostic mode on LG dishwashers is commonly called ‘test mode’. So, don’t be confused if you see that term used in the user manual and other technical materials.

Entering the test mode is incredibly straightforward. You only have to press the Power and Start buttons simultaneously.

There are 7 tests will be explained to you in the second half of this guide.

Read: 5 LG Dishwasher Problems You Need To Know

Step 2: Close Dispenser Door And Machine Door

When entering the test mode, close the detergent dispenser door and then close the dishwasher door.

All the lights on the display will turn on while you’re in test mode. You’ll also see the display flashing with numbers or alphabets related to the current test being run.

Step 3: Begin First Test

Next, press Start again to begin the first test. For LG dishwashers, that first one will test your detergent dispenser to ensure it’s working.

Again, you’ll learn about each of the 7 tests in the next section.

Step 4: Cycle Through Tests

Each of the 7 tests in your LG dishwasher’s diagnostic mode will run continuously until you cycle through to the next one.

You can cycle to the next test by pressing the Start button again.

By having to do that manually, you can control how long each test runs. It also allows you to skip to the specific test you want to perform instead of waiting.

Read: How To Fix LG Dishwasher Which Has No Power?

Step 5: Finish Diagnostic Tests

Finally, you can end and exit the diagnostic mode by pressing the Start button again while the seventh and final test is running.

Earlier, you saw the 5 steps to enter diagnostic mode and cycle through the different tests.

Here is what you need to know about each of those 7 tests:

Test #1: Detergent Dispenser

About this part: The detergent dispenser is responsible for distributing dishwasher detergent during a wash cycle. 

This first test ensures that the solenoid can correctly open and close that dispenser door.

What appears on the display: While running the first test, the display will show the sump temperature in Celsius.

Read: How To Fix LE Error Code On LG Dishwasher?

Test #2: Door Vent Blower Motor

About this part: Your LG dishwasher relies on a blower motor to drive air through the door vent. Doing so helps remove excess moisture, speeding up the drying process for your dishes inside.

The second test ensures that the blower motor is working as it should.

What appears on the display: The display will only show that you’re in the second test in the dishwasher’s test mode. It won’t display any other diagnostic information at this time.

Test #3: Soil Sensor

About this part: LG dishwashers also have a soil sensor that measures how dirty the items inside still are. With that information, the dishwasher can lengthen or shorten the cleaning cycle time as needed.

What appears on the display: During this test, the dishwasher will show the current soil level inside the machine.

Test #4: Drain Motor

About this part: Gravity helps to remove used water from the dishwasher. However, there’s also a drain motor that helps to drive water out more efficiently.

The fourth test ensures the drain motor is functioning without clogs, jams, or other problems.

What appears on the display: While the fourth test is running, the display will show the drain motor’s turning speed, measured in revolutions per minute or RPMs.