Kenmore Dishwasher Error Code LO

LO on a Kenmore dishwasher means the rinse aid dispenser is low and needs to be refilled. The control board reads a signal from the dispenser's level sensor and displays LO to alert you before the rinse aid runs out completely. Open the dispenser cap on the inside of the door, fill it with rinse aid, and the code should clear on its own.

Yes, the dishwasher will continue to run and complete wash cycles when LO is displayed. LO is a low-supply alert, not a fault that disables the machine. However, running without rinse aid will likely result in water spots on dishes and slower drying times, so refilling the dispenser is recommended before your next wash.

If LO stays on after you have filled the rinse aid dispenser, the level sensor inside the dispenser assembly is likely stuck in the low position or has failed. Check that the dispenser cap is fully closed and that you filled the correct compartment, not just the detergent cup. If the compartment is genuinely full and the code persists across multiple cycles, the dispenser assembly should be inspected and likely replaced.

Open the rinse aid dispenser door located on the inside of the dishwasher door, typically near the detergent cup. Fill the compartment with standard dishwasher rinse aid until the indicator shows full, then close the cap securely. Run a cycle and the LO code should clear automatically. If LO remains after a confirmed refill, the dispenser level sensor may be faulty and the dispenser assembly may need to be replaced.

If the LO code is caused by a low rinse aid level, the only cost is a bottle of rinse aid, which typically runs between $4 and $12. If the LO code persists after refilling and the dispenser level sensor or dispenser assembly is defective, a replacement dispenser assembly for a Kenmore dishwasher generally costs between $20 and $60 in parts, and the repair is accessible to a confident DIYer with basic tools.