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Dishwasher Pressure sensor and flow meter: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

Sensors that tell the control how much water is in the machine. A pressure sensor (also called a water level sensor) reads the level in the tub or sump; a flow meter sits in the fill path and counts how much water comes in.

How it works

Most pressure sensors read the air pressure in a small chamber or tube connected to the sump, which rises as the water level rises, and the board converts that into a level. Flow meters usually use a tiny spinning impeller that sends pulses as water passes, so the control can count how much came in.

Signs it is failing

• Fill or water-level codes with good water pressure at the sink
• The machine overfilling or underfilling
• Cycles that stop right after the fill
• Codes that point at a sensor signal fault

Pressure sensor, water level and flow meter codes show up on a handful of brands, among them Bosch, GE, LG and Miele. Rule out a closed shutoff, low house pressure and a kinked line before blaming the sensor.

Can you replace it yourself?

A breaker reset is worth trying once. Beyond that, these parts are inside the base or attached to the sump with wiring and small tubes, and the maker usually treats the code as a service call.

Buying the right part

These sensors are specific to model families. Let the tech order the OEM part by full model number.

Error codes linked to the pressure sensor and flow meter

• E14Flow meter or filling problemBosch
• PrSPressure sensor signal faultGE
• FEToo much water in the tubLG
• PEWater level sensor problemLG
• F14Circulation pump stuck or water level faultMiele
• F19Flow meter faultMiele
• OC / 0C / OEToo much water in the tub (overfill)Samsung
• 9E / 1CLow water levelSamsung

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.