LG Microwave Error Code E-44

E-44 means the LG microwave's PH humidity sensor detected a dry-up condition, meaning it received no moisture signal during a sensor cook cycle. The control board interprets this as the cavity being empty or the sensor being unable to detect steam. This is a protective fault to prevent the microwave from running a cook cycle without proper feedback from the sensor.

The microwave will not operate while E-44 is active, so there is no immediate safety risk from the error itself. The unit halts the cook cycle to prevent operating without sensor feedback. Once you place food inside and restart, normal operation resumes. Do not attempt to bypass or ignore a persistent E-44 that keeps returning, as repeated sensor faults can indicate an underlying component problem.

If the cause is an empty cavity or dirty sensor, the repair costs nothing. If the PH humidity sensor has failed, the replacement sensor part typically ranges from $15 to $40 depending on the model. A technician labor charge for sensor replacement generally runs $75 to $150. Because microwaves involve high-voltage capacitors that retain charge even when unplugged, professional service is advisable if you need to open the cabinet and are not experienced with appliance repair.

Start by placing food inside the microwave and restarting the cooking cycle. If E-44 appeared because the unit was run empty, this clears the error immediately. If the code returns during normal cooking, clean the PH sensor window with a damp cloth to remove grease buildup. If the error persists after cleaning with food in the cavity, the sensor likely needs to be tested and possibly replaced.

Yes, in the majority of cases. If the error was triggered by running the microwave empty or using a sensor cook mode on very dry food, simply adding food and restarting clears E-44 with no parts needed. Cleaning a grease-coated PH sensor also costs nothing. Only if the PH sensor itself has failed or wiring is damaged will a physical repair and parts be required.