Champion Dishwasher Wash Display Lo: Wash Tank Under 100F
Lo on the wash display of a Champion UH-series dishwasher means the wash tank water is below 100F. Let the tank heat up. If the display still reads Lo after a normal heat-up time, the wash heater circuit needs service.
Medium: the machine runs but cannot wash at the proper temperature until the tank heats.
- Code
- Lo (wash display)
- Maker
- Champion
- Equipment
- Dish machines
- Applies to
- UH130/UH130B/UH230/UH230B/UH330B M4 digital temperature board
What does Champion error code Lo mean?
The wash display on the digital temperature board reads the wash tank thermistor and shows the tank temperature in degrees. When the tank water is under 100F, the board has no number worth showing and shows Lo instead. This is normal right after a fill, because cold water has to climb through the heating range before it reaches wash temperature. The manual's instruction is simple: let the tank heat, and if it stays low, service the wash heater circuit. The code therefore separates two situations. If Lo clears within the usual heat-up, nothing is wrong. If Lo lingers while the machine is filled and the heater should be working, the water is not gaining heat, and a washing cycle at that temperature will not clean or sanitize as intended. The thermistor, the heater elements and their controls all sit in that circuit, which is why a technician measures them rather than guessing.
Affected models and control systems
UH130, UH130B, UH230, UH230B and UH330B M4 series dishwashers with the digital temperature display board; the code is in the Digital Temperature Display Codes, printed pp. 54-57.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Lo showing on the wash side of the display
- Wash water cool to the touch through a shift
- Dishes coming out dull, greasy or not sanitized
- Long wait before the machine is ready to run
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code Lo on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Tank freshly filled with cold water and still heating
- Wash tank water under 100F
- A tripped heater breaker or a switched-off heater supply
- A wash heater element that is open or burned out
- A heater contactor that does not pull in
- A wash tank that was filled with water much colder than normal and has not caught up
Safe checks before calling for service
- Check that the tank is full to its fill level and that the machine has finished its fill.
- Wait for a normal heat-up and watch whether the display climbs from Lo to a number.
- Look at the wall disconnect and breaker for the machine and confirm they are on.
- Do not run racks through while the display reads Lo.
- Write down how long Lo lasted and whether the booster side also showed a low reading.
How a technician diagnoses error code Lo
- Read the wash display and confirm the tank is at its fill level.
- Verify incoming water temperature and that the machine's supply voltage is present.
- Check the wash heater contactor operation when the controls call for heat.
- Measure heater element resistance and current draw, with power locked out for the resistance reading.
- Read the wash thermistor circuit and the board, and replace parts only after a measurement shows a failure.
- Heater elements, contactors and the thermistor circuit carry 208 to 240 V behind the panel and must be tested live and with the power locked out.
- Reading element resistance and amperage takes a meter and knowing the rating of the machine.
- Washing at a low tank temperature will not meet sanitizing requirements, so a repair needs a measured heat check.
How error code Lo differs from similar codes
Lo on the wash display refers to the wash tank, while the same Lo on the rinse display refers to the booster, so read which side is showing it.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Champion owner support
- Edition
- Manual P/N 115440 rev. N4
- Models / control
- UH130/UH130B/UH230/UH230B/UH330B M4 digital temperature board
- Section
- Digital Temperature Display Codes, printed pp. 54-57
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Champion dish machine error codes
How long should I wait for Lo to clear?
Give the machine a normal heat-up after filling. If Lo is still there after that, the heater circuit is not raising the temperature.
Can I wash with Lo showing?
No. The tank is under 100F, which is too cool for proper cleaning, so wait or call for service.
Is Lo the same as the E code?
No. Lo means the thermistor reads a valid but low temperature. E points to a defective thermistor or its wiring.
Need help with Champion error code Lo?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.