Repairing AEG dishwasher: error codes, faults and solutions

Most common AEG dishwasher faults

Our technicians repair AEG dishwashers daily. These are the faults we see most often:

• i10 / F10 — water supply problem — tap closed, hose kinked or filter blocked
• i20 / F20 — drainage problem — filter or drain pump blocked
• i30 / F30 — leak detection (AquaStop) — water detected in the base
• i44 — drain pump fault — pump defective or blocked by foreign object
• i50 / F50 — heating problem — heating element or NTC sensor defective
• i60 — temperature sensor error — NTC sensor gives incorrect signal
• i70 / F70 — water softener or salt — salt container empty or sensor defective
• Dishwasher does not clean — filter blocked, spray arms obstructed
• Dishwasher does not start — door lock or electronic fault

Do you not recognise your problem? The technician will diagnose it on site.

AEG dishwasher error codes: what do they mean?

Newer AEG dishwashers display error codes when something is wrong — codes that start with i (or F on older models) followed by a number. Below you will find all common AEG dishwasher error codes with causes and what you can do yourself.

AEG dishwasher i10 / F10 — water supply problem

What does it mean?

The dishwasher is receiving insufficient or no water. The programme cannot start or is interrupted.

Possible causes:

• The water tap is not fully open
• The supply hose is kinked or flattened
• The mesh filter in the hose connection is clogged with limescale or dirt
• The water inlet valve (solenoid valve) is defective

What can you do yourself?

1. Check if the water tap is fully open.
2. Check the supply hose for kinks or bends.
3. Turn off the tap and disconnect the supply hose from the back of the dishwasher.
4. Remove the small mesh filter from the connection and clean it under the tap with an old toothbrush.
5. Reconnect the hose, turn on the tap and check for leaks.
6. Restart the dishwasher.

Does i10 remain? Then the water inlet valve is likely defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher i20 / F20 — drainage problem

What does it mean?

The dishwasher cannot drain the dirty water (quickly enough). Water remains at the bottom of the tub.

Possible causes:

• The filter at the bottom of the tub is clogged with food residues.
• The drain hose is kinked or incorrectly connected to the siphon.
• The drain pump is blocked by a foreign object.
• The drain pump is defective.

What can you do yourself?

1. Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it.
2. Remove the cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub (twist and lift).
3. Rinse the filter under warm running water — use a brush for stubborn dirt.
4. Also clean the filter area at the bottom of the tub with a cloth.
5. Check for foreign objects (bones, corks) in the pump area.
6. Check that the drain hose at the back is not kinked.
7. Reinsert the filter, connect it, and start a programme.

Does i20 keep coming back after cleaning? Then the drain pump is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher i30 / F30 — leak detection (AquaStop)

What does it mean?

The leak detection sensor has detected water in the base of the dishwasher. The AquaStop protection automatically switches off the machine to prevent water damage.

Possible causes:

• Leaking pump, water hose or connection inside the machine.
• Worn or damaged door seal causing water to drip into the base.
• Defective float in the leak tray.
• Too high foam level due to overdosing of dishwasher detergent.

What can you do yourself?

1. Unplug it.
2. Carefully pull the dishwasher away from the wall and tilt it slightly forward — this allows the water to drain from the base.
3. Let it dry for 30 minutes.
4. Stand it upright, reconnect and start an empty programme.

Does i30 disappear after this step? Keep an eye on it — the underlying leak must be found and repaired. Does i30 return immediately? Then there is a leak that needs to be professionally detected. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher i44 — drain pump fault

What does it mean?

The drain pump is not running or is insufficient. Difference with i20: i44 specifically points to the pump itself, not to a blockage upstream.

Possible causes:

• A foreign object (bone, cork) is blocking the pump impeller
• The drain pump is mechanically defective
• The control electronics are not correctly operating the pump

What can you do yourself?

1. Remove the filter and look in the pump chamber with a flashlight.
2. Check if the pump impeller can turn freely.
3. Remove any foreign objects with tweezers.
4. Connect, start a drain programme and listen for the pump making noise.

If the pump makes no noise, or if i44 remains? Then the pump is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher i50 / F50 — heating problem

What does it mean?

The dishwasher does not reach the desired water temperature. The programme pauses or stops. Your dishes may not be properly disinfected.

Possible causes:

• Heating element burnt out, often due to heavy limescale build-up
• NTC temperature sensor defective
• Problem in the control electronics

What can you do yourself?

1. Perform a thorough cleaning and descaling (see our cleaning page).
2. Reset the dishwasher: unplug, wait 5 minutes, plug back in.
3. Start a programme at high temperature and listen for the machine heating up.

Does i50 keep coming back? Then the heating element or the sensor is faulty — you cannot fix this yourself. Book a repair with We.repair.

Tip: prevent heating problems by running the Machine Care programme every 2 to 3 months. Limescale is the main cause of faulty heating elements.

AEG dishwasher i60 — temperature sensor error (NTC)

What does it mean?

The NTC sensor that measures the water temperature is sending a faulty signal or is defective. The dishwasher may stop or not heat the water correctly.

Possible causes:

• Temporary electronic fault
• NTC sensor faulty
• Damaged wiring to the sensor

What can you do yourself?

1. Unplug it.
2. Wait at least 30 minutes.
3. Reconnect and start a new programme.

Does i60 disappear? Then it was a temporary fault. Does the error code keep coming back? Then the sensor needs to be replaced. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher i70 / F70 — water softener or salt tank sensor

What does it mean?

The ion exchanger is not functioning properly, or the salt tank is empty or the sensor is faulty.

Possible causes:

• Salt tank empty
• Salt tank sensor faulty
• Ion exchanger worn out

What can you do yourself?

1. Check the salt level: the salt reservoir is located at the bottom of the tub, next to the filter.
2. Top up with special dishwasher salt — no table salt.
3. Use a funnel to prevent spillage.
4. Then run a short programme to activate the salt.

Does i70 remain after the salt has been refilled? Then the salt tank sensor is likely defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher does not wash clean — no error code

Possible causes:

• Filter blocked — the most common cause
• Spray arms blocked by limescale or food residues
• Incorrect loading of the basket (plates block the spray arms)
• Too little dishwasher detergent or outdated dishwasher detergent
• Programme chosen is too short or too cold

What can you do yourself?

1. Clean the filter thoroughly (see steps for i20).
2. Remove the spray arms, check the holes for blockages and clear them with a toothpick.
3. Rinse the spray arms and reattach them — check that they can turn freely.
4. Reload the basket: plates vertically, bowls facing up, nothing blocking the spray arms.
5. Use enough dishwasher detergent and check the expiry date.
6. Choose a more intensive or warmer programme for heavily soiled dishes.

Does the dishwasher still not wash clean after these steps? Book a diagnosis with We.repair.

AEG dishwasher does not start — no error code

Possible causes:

• Plug not properly in the socket or circuit tripped
• Door does not close completely
• Child lock activated
• Door lock or control electronics defective

What can you do yourself?

1. Check if the plug is properly in the socket.
2. Check in the fuse box if the circuit has not tripped.
3. Close the door with a clear click.
4. Check if the child lock is activated (refer to your manual — often hold down two buttons).
5. Unplug the machine, wait 1 minute and try again.

Is the machine still not starting? Book a repair with We.repair.

Reset AEG dishwasher

A reset sometimes resolves temporary electronic faults:

1. Press and hold the start button for 3 to 5 seconds until the running programme cancels.
2. Open the door, wait 1 minute and close it again.
3. Select a new programme and start again.

No start button on your model: turn off the main switch (or unplug it), wait 30 seconds and restart.

Note: if the error code returns immediately after the reset, there is a mechanical or electronic fault. A reset will not resolve that.

Cleaning and maintenance of AEG dishwasher

Regular maintenance prevents many faults. AEG recommends running the Machine Care cleaning programme every 2 to 3 months — this removes grease, limescale and food residues from the water channels and extends the lifespan of your appliance.

Read our complete step-by-step guide: how to clean the filter, spray arms and door seal, and how to activate the Machine Care programme on your AEG dishwasher.

➡ AEG dishwasher cleaning programme — step-by-step guide

Frequently asked questions

Other AEG appliances that we repair

An AEG dishwasher easily lasts fifteen years — and often the same applies to the rest of your AEG appliances. If something else breaks, the same technician will come, with the same fixed price.

A complete overview of our approach per appliance, the most common AEG faults and answers to questions about warranty and parts can be found on our AEG repair service.

• Repairing AEG washing machines — error codes E10 to E34
• Repairing AEG tumble dryers — heat pump and condenser, series 6000 to 9000
• AEG repair service at home — all appliances, rates and service area