LG Washing Machine
Error Codes — Complete Guide 2026
Your LG washer flashed a code and stopped. I've fixed hundreds of these machines — most error codes are completely DIY-solvable if you know exactly what you're looking at. This guide covers every LG washer error code across front load, top load, WashTower, SideKick, and combo units.
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LG has been building washing machines for decades, and their error code system is actually one of the more logical ones out there — once you understand the naming convention. Most codes are two letters or a letter plus number, and they directly hint at which system is having trouble.
Over the years working on LG machines, I've noticed that roughly 70% of calls I get could be resolved by the homeowner with a bit of guidance. Blocked drain filters, unbalanced loads, kinked hoses — these are maintenance issues, not failures. The remaining 30% involve a faulty component that deserves a proper diagnosis before you start ordering parts.
Below you'll find every known LG washer error code, what's actually happening inside the machine when it triggers, and an honest take on whether you need a professional or not.
🔍 Top 10 Most Searched LG Washer Error Codes (2026)
These are the ten LG washing machine error codes searched most worldwide right now. If yours is here, you're not alone — and there's a very good chance it's fixable without a service call.
| # | Code | Problem | DIY? | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OE | Won't drain / slow drain | ✅ Usually | |
| 2 | UE / uE | Unbalanced load | ✅ Yes | |
| 3 | IE | Water not filling | ✅ Usually | |
| 4 | LE | Motor overload / locked | ⚠️ Sometimes | |
| 5 | dE | Door won't lock | ⚠️ Sometimes | |
| 6 | tE | Heating / thermistor fault | ⚠️ Sometimes | |
| 7 | SUD | Too many suds | ✅ Yes | |
| 8 | FE | Water overfilling | ⚠️ Partial | |
| 9 | CE | Motor current error | ❌ Usually no | |
| 10 | PE | Water level sensor fault | ⚠️ Partial |
Front Load, Top Load & WashTower Error Codes
OE Error Code — Drainage Failure
This is hands-down the most common LG washer complaint I see. The OE code fires when the machine detects that water isn't leaving the drum within a set time window. Nine times out of ten the problem is a blocked drain filter or a kinked hose — not a dead pump.
The drain pump filter on LG front loaders sits behind a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. It collects lint, coins, bobby pins, and the occasional Lego piece. Most people never clean it, then they're shocked when the machine stops draining a few years in.
✓ How to Fix the OE Error Code
- Pull the machine slightly forward and check the drain hose at the back — make sure it isn't kinked, pinched, or sitting too deep in the standpipe (max 4 inches into the drain).
- Locate the drain pump filter access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a shallow pan under it before opening — there will be water.
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap counterclockwise. Let the water drain into the pan, then remove any debris from the filter.
- Check inside the pump housing for any foreign objects like coins or hairpins that can jam the impeller.
- Reinstall the filter firmly, restore power, and run a spin-only cycle to confirm drainage is working.
IE Error Code — Insufficient Water Supply
The IE code means the machine started a fill cycle but couldn't detect the right water level within about 4 minutes. Always check the obvious stuff first — a closed tap or a kinked inlet hose causes this more than anything else.
LG washers require a water pressure between 14.5 and 116 PSI to fill properly. Anything below that and the fill valve can't open enough to let water through fast enough. This is especially common in older homes with partially corroded supply lines.
✓ How to Fix the IE Error Code
- Check that both hot and cold water taps behind the machine are fully open — not just half-turned.
- Inspect the two inlet hoses for kinks or bends. Straighten them if needed.
- Turn off the water supply. Disconnect the hoses from the back of the machine and pull out the small mesh inlet filters using needle-nose pliers. Rinse them under a tap to clear sediment buildup.
- Reconnect hoses, turn water back on fully, and test a fill cycle.
- If pressure seems low throughout your home, run another tap simultaneously — if it drops noticeably, a plumber should look at the supply pressure.
UE / uE Error Code — Unbalanced Load
A lowercase "uE" mid-cycle means the machine noticed an imbalance and is actively trying to fix it by adding water and redistributing the load — just wait, no action needed. A capital "UE" at cycle end means it gave up trying and wants you to manually redistribute the clothes.
This code shows up most often with single heavy items like a duvet, bath mat, or one large towel. The item bunches to one side and creates enough asymmetry to prevent safe spin speeds.
✓ How to Fix the UE Error Code
- Open the door and physically redistribute the load — unfold bunched items and spread them around the drum evenly.
- If washing a single heavy item like a blanket, add two or three bath towels to help counterbalance the weight.
- For top loaders, make sure items haven't wrapped around the agitator post.
- Press Start/Pause to resume the spin cycle.
LE Error Code — Motor Locked / Overloaded
The LE code means the motor either stalled from overload (too much laundry) or overheated and the thermal protection kicked in. Best case, it's a temporary overload that resolves after resting. Worst case, a motor winding or hall sensor has failed.
LG's Direct Drive motors are generally very reliable and carry a 10-year warranty on most models — but they're not immune to failure if the machine has been consistently overloaded for years.
✓ How to Fix the LE Error Code
- Power off the machine and unplug it completely.
- Remove roughly half the laundry from the drum — overloading is the most common cause.
- Leave unplugged for at least 30 minutes to allow the motor to cool down.
- Plug back in, select a smaller cycle, and test.
dE Error Code — Door Won't Lock
The door lock assembly (latch/interlock) on LG front loaders is one of the more commonly replaced parts after a few years. The dE code fires when the door switch doesn't confirm a locked state before or during a cycle.
Sometimes it's as simple as a sock stuck in the door seal creating a small gap. Other times the plastic latch tongue has worn down or the switch inside the lock assembly has failed.
✓ How to Fix the dE Error Code
- Power off the machine. Check the door gasket (rubber seal) for any clothing trapped in the fold — surprisingly common.
- Press the door firmly closed with your palm — sometimes the latch needs a firm push to click properly.
- Unplug for 10 seconds, plug back in, and try a fresh cycle.
- Inspect the door hinge for any drooping or misalignment — an overloaded drum can push the door slightly out of true over time.
dE1 Error Code — Door Open / Not Locked
The dE1 is a more specific door error — it indicates the door (or SideKick drawer) isn't even making contact with the latch, while dE2 means it made contact but didn't lock. On the SideKick, dE1 appears when the drawer hasn't been closed before starting the cycle.
✓ How to Fix the dE1 Error Code
- Unplug the washer for 10 seconds.
- Plug back in and ensure the door or drawer is fully and firmly closed.
- Restart the cycle.
dE2 Error Code — Door Closed But Not Locking
On the SideKick, this typically means the drawer was pushed in at an angle and didn't lock. Turn the machine off, open the drawer fully, and close it again with a firm, straight push until you hear a click.
✓ How to Fix the dE2 Error Code
- Turn the machine off and unplug for 10 seconds.
- Open and then firmly re-close the door or drawer — it should click into place.
- Plug back in and restart the cycle.
dE3 Error Code — Inner Lid Not Latched
Exclusive to the SideKick pedestal washer. Open the drawer, check that no clothing is blocking the latch area, close the inner lid until it clicks, then close the drawer firmly and restart the cycle.
tE Error Code — Thermistor / Heating Error
The tE code points to a problem in the heating circuit — either the NTC thermistor (temperature sensor) is giving out-of-range readings, or the heating element itself has failed. The reset-and-drain method below sometimes clears a temporary false reading.
✓ How to Fix the tE Error Code
- Unplug the washer for 10 seconds.
- Plug back in and press the Spin Speed button until "No Spin" is selected.
- Press Start/Pause to run a drain-only cycle to remove standing water.
- Once drained, restart the washing cycle to test if the error recurs.
FE Error Code — Water Overfilling
An FE code is one you want to act on quickly. It means water is entering the drum even after the machine has reached its target fill level — indicating a faulty inlet valve that's failing to close. Left unchecked, this can cause the machine to overflow.
✓ How to Fix the FE Error Code
- Close both water supply taps immediately.
- Power the machine on, press Spin Speed until "No Spin" is shown, then press Start/Pause to drain out excess water safely.
- Once drained, restart a cycle to see if the error clears.
PE Error Code — Water Level Sensor Fault
The PE code indicates the pressure switch isn't communicating properly with the control board. This sensor tells the machine how much water is in the drum — when it fails, the machine can overfill, underfill, or refuse to start a cycle.
✓ How to Fix the PE Error Code
- Unplug the washer for 10 seconds and plug back in — a power reset sometimes clears a temporary glitch.
- Restart the cycle and observe whether the code returns.
PF Error Code — Power Failure
✓ How to Fix the PF Error Code
- Unplug the washer or flip the circuit breaker off.
- While without power, hold the Start/Pause button for 5 seconds to clear residual memory.
- Restore power and run a fresh cycle.
SUD Error Code — Excess Suds
When SUD appears, the machine detected excess foam and automatically added a suds-reduction cycle — this adds up to two extra hours to the wash time. The machine isn't broken, it's protecting itself from foam pushing out through the door seal.
Using regular detergent in an HE (High Efficiency) machine is the number one cause. HE machines use far less water, so regular detergent creates mountains of foam they can't handle.
✓ How to Prevent the SUD Error
- Always use HE-rated detergent — look for the "HE" symbol on the bottle.
- Use the amount recommended on the packaging — most people use 2–3× too much.
- For this current cycle, just let the machine run through the suds-reduction phase — it will complete on its own.
- Run a rinse-only cycle afterward if it was a severe sudsing case.
CE Error Code — Motor Current Error
The CE code indicates the control board detected an overcurrent in the motor circuit — this can happen due to a power surge, a short circuit, or the motor drawing excessive current. A one-time CE might be a surge; repeated CE codes indicate a wiring or motor control issue.
✓ How to Fix the CE Error Code
- Unplug the washer for at least 10 seconds to fully reset the control board.
- Plug back in and attempt to run a cycle.
FF Error Code — Frozen Machine
The FF code is a seasonal problem appearing in cold climates when an unheated laundry room drops below freezing. Water in the inlet hoses, drain hose, or pump housing freezes solid, preventing both filling and draining.
✓ How to Fix the FF Error Code
- Do not attempt to run the machine while frozen — you risk damaging the pump.
- Warm the laundry room above freezing using a space heater.
- Wrap the inlet hoses with warm, damp towels to thaw them.
- Pour warm (not boiling) water into the drum to help thaw the drain pump area.
- Once fully thawed, test a short cycle before loading laundry.
Status Codes — Not Actual Errors
CL — Child Lock Active
tCL — Tub Clean Reminder
The tCL indicator appears after a set number of cycles to remind you to run the Tub Clean cycle. This is routine maintenance — not a fault. Regular tub cleaning prevents mold, mildew buildup, and the musty odors front loaders are notorious for.
✓ How to Run the Tub Clean Cycle
- Leave the drum completely empty — no laundry.
- Add a tub cleaning tablet, Affresh, or 1/4 cup bleach diluted in water directly into the drum.
- Select the "Tub Clean" cycle and press Start.
- Run this monthly to keep the machine fresh and residue-free.
Cd — Cool Down Complete
Top Load & Pedestal-Specific Codes
E6 Error Code — Clutch Assembly Issue
The E6 code appears on LG top load washers and generally points to a problem with the clutch assembly — the component that shifts the machine between agitate and spin modes. Close the water supply, unplug, and call for service. Operating with a clutch fault can damage surrounding components.
DL Error Code — Lid Lock Failure
On top load washers, the lid must lock before the spin cycle begins for safety. The DL code means the lid lock assembly isn't sending a confirmed lock signal. Check for anything blocking the lid from closing fully, then try a power reset. If the code persists, the lid lock switch needs replacement.
DR Error Code — Lid Lock Relay Fault
Similar to DL but specifically related to the relay circuit controlling the lid lock. A power reset is the first step. Persistent DR codes require servicing of the lid lock assembly or control board relay circuit.
D3 Error Code — Lid Lock Issue
The D3 code indicates a lid lock problem on certain top load LG models. Check for obstructions under the lid preventing it from closing flush, then perform a power reset. Persistent D3 codes generally require lid lock assembly replacement.
E7 Error Code — Pedestal Installation Error
The E7 code fires when the SideKick determines it hasn't been properly installed under a compatible LG front load washer. The machine checks a stacking switch in the back-left corner — if the front loader isn't sitting on it correctly, E7 triggers. The SideKick cannot be used standalone or under a dryer.
DHE Error Code — Dryer Heater Error
DHE indicates a fault in the drying heat system on LG combo units — heater element, thermistor, or a safety thermostat that tripped due to restricted airflow. Start by cleaning the condenser filter and performing a power reset. If the code returns, a technician is needed.
SE Error Code — Spin Motor Error
The SE code points to a spin motor fault on LG combo units. Perform a power reset first. If the code returns, the motor or its control circuit needs professional diagnosis.
HE Error Code — Heater Error
Similar to DHE, the HE code indicates a heater issue on combo washer-dryer models. Check the condenser filter first, then perform a power reset. Persistent codes require professional diagnosis of the heater element and thermal components.
Frequently Asked Questions
LG Washer Error Codes — Common Questions
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