LG Washer Error Codes Explained

Quick answer: On most LG washers, OE means the water cannot drain, IE means not enough water is coming in, UE means the load is unbalanced and dE means the door or lid will not lock. Codes such as LE, PE, tE and FE that return after a reset usually mean a motor, sensor or valve problem that needs a technician.

LG washers display two-letter codes on the control panel, and some models flash LEDs instead. Front-load, top-load, WashTower and pedestal washers share many codes, but the meaning can shift slightly between models and model years. LG's standard reset is to unplug the washer (or switch off its breaker), press and hold Start/Pause for five seconds while it has no power, then plug it back in and start a cycle. That clears a stuck control, but it will not fix a clogged filter or a kinked hose.

LG Washer Error Codes list

Water cannot drain

Common causes: Kinked or pinched drain hose, clogged drain pump filter, a drain more than 53 inches high on pedestal setups, or a frozen hose in winter

What you can try: Pull the washer out enough to check that the drain hose is not crushed behind it. On front-loaders, clean the drain pump filter following the owner's manual.

Call a technician if: The hose and filter are clear and water still will not drain, or the pump hums without moving water.

Inadequate water supply

Common causes: Faucets not fully open, kinked supply hoses, clogged inlet filters or low water pressure

What you can try: Open both faucets all the way and straighten the hoses. With the water off, clean the small inlet filters as described in the manual.

Call a technician if: Water pressure is fine and the washer still will not fill, which points to the inlet valve.

UE / Ub

Unbalanced load

Common causes: One heavy item, mixed heavy and light fabrics, a tiny load or a washer that is not level

What you can try: Rearrange the items, add a couple of similar items to small loads and restart.

Call a technician if: Balanced loads still cause UE, or the tub knocks hard during spin.

dE / dE1 / dE2

Door or lid will not lock (dE1: door open, dE2: closed but not locking)

Common causes: Clothing in the door, a damaged strike or a failing door lock

What you can try: Clear the door area, close it firmly and run LG's reset (unplug, hold Start/Pause five seconds, plug in).

Call a technician if: The door shuts properly but the lock will not engage.

Motor overloaded or locked

Common causes: An overloaded drum, an item jammed between drum and tub, or a motor or wiring fault

What you can try: Remove part of the load and let the washer rest for 30 minutes, as LG suggests, before restarting.

Call a technician if: LE returns after the rest period. The motor or its harness needs testing.

Overfill: water level too high

Common causes: Often a water inlet valve that does not close fully

What you can try: Turn off both faucets and run a spin-only cycle to drain.

Call a technician if: Every time it appears. Leave the faucets off until the valve is checked.

Water level (pressure) sensor malfunction

Common causes: A failed pressure sensor, or a blocked or loose pressure hose

What you can try: Unplug for 10 seconds, plug back in and restart.

Call a technician if: The code returns. The sensor is inside the cabinet.

Heating error, usually the thermistor

Common causes: A failed temperature sensor or heater circuit fault

What you can try: Unplug for 10 seconds, plug in, run spin-only to drain and restart.

Call a technician if: It comes back on warm or hot cycles.

Over-current in the motor circuit

Common causes: Overload, a jammed drum or an electrical fault in the motor circuit

What you can try: Unplug for 10 seconds and restart with a smaller load.

Call a technician if: It repeats. LG advises closing the water tap, keeping the washer unplugged and requesting repair.

SUD

Too many suds

Common causes: Too much detergent or non-HE detergent

What you can try: Let the washer finish its suds-reducing routine, which can add a lot of time, then cut back on detergent.

Call a technician if: Suds codes appear with correct HE doses.

Washer is frozen

Common causes: Supply hoses, drain hose or pump frozen in a cold garage or unheated room

What you can try: Warm the area, wrap the supply hose in a warm, wet towel and add warm water to the drum, per LG.

Call a technician if: Water still will not move after everything thaws, or you see cracked hoses or leaks.

Power failure during a cycle

Common causes: An outage, tripped breaker or loose plug

What you can try: Restart the cycle. If PF stays, use the Start/Pause five-second reset.

Call a technician if: PF appears without any power interruption.

How to clear the code

LG publishes the same reset for many laundry codes:

Turn the washer off and unplug it, or switch off its breaker.
With the power off, press and hold Start/Pause for five seconds.
Restore power, turn the washer on and start a cycle.

For codes such as PE, tE and dE1, a shorter 10-second unplug is usually enough. A few messages are not faults at all: CL is Child Lock (hold the Child Lock button, often shared with another option, for three seconds), tCL is a reminder to run Tub Clean, and Cd is the cool-down tumble on washer-dryer models.

Codes that mean you should stop and turn off the water

Treat FE as a warning, not a nuisance. If the inlet valve is letting water in when it should not, the washer can keep filling. Turn off both faucets until it is checked. CE and repeated LE codes also mean the motor circuit is under strain, so further cycles can turn a small repair into a larger one.

An OE code with a full drum of water is not dangerous, but do not open the front-load drain filter without towels and a pan ready. Several gallons can come out.

LG washer repair in Metro Atlanta

Our technicians service LG front-load, top-load and WashTower units throughout Metro Atlanta. Share the code and model number when you book so we can bring the likely parts. Read more on our LG appliance repair and washing machine repair pages.

To schedule, call (678) 866-3669 or book online. Scheduling is open 24/7.

Code still showing?

Our technicians repair LG washers across Metro Atlanta, usually the same day. Diagnostic from $80, credited toward your repair.

Call (678) 866-3669

FAQs

What is the difference between OE and IE on an LG washer?

OE is a drain problem: water is in the tub and cannot get out. IE is a fill problem: the washer is not getting enough water in. They point to opposite ends of the water path.

Can a frozen hose cause an LG washer error?

Yes. LG lists FF for a frozen washer, and frozen hoses can also trigger IE or OE. Washers in unheated garages are the most likely to see this in a cold snap.

Is it safe to keep using my LG washer with an LE code?

It is best not to. LE means the motor is overloaded or locked. Reduce the load and let it rest 30 minutes. If it returns, have the motor and its wiring checked before running more cycles.

Codes and meanings vary by model and model year. Check your owner's manual for your exact model.

LG Washer Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them