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LG Washer Error Codes: What Each Code Means and What to Do

Every common LG washer error code in one table, from OE, UE, IE and LE to dE, FE and Sud, with LG's own fix for each and the codes that need a technician.

By Appliance Error Codes editorial teamUpdated 5 min readHow we research

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A washing machine display showing End in red segment digits

LG washers show a two-letter code when a cycle stops. The most common are OE (the washer cannot drain), UE (the load is unbalanced) and IE (the washer cannot fill), and LG gives home checks for each. Codes such as LE, FE, PE and tE point at a part inside the washer and need service if they return.

Look up your code in the table, then open its page for LG’s steps in order. Before you check anything behind or under the washer, turn it off and unplug it.

LG washer codes at a glance

The meanings come from LG’s front-load, top-load and pedestal code lists. Where front-load and top-load models differ, the table says so.

Code What LG says it means First thing to try
OE Cannot drain (newer front-load: E03, E21) Drain hose, then the drain pump filter (OE page)
UE, uE, Ub Load unbalanced; lowercase uE means still trying Spread the load, level the washer (UE page)
IE Not filling (newer front-load: E02, E10) Faucets open, hoses straight, inlet filters (IE page)
LE Front-load: tub fails to spin; top-load: rotation error Unplug and wait, lighter load (LE page)
dE, dE1, E01 Door not closed properly Open and close the door, then reset
dE2, E30 Door closed but not locking Check for anything in the way of the latch, then reset
FE, E04, E12 Too much water (overfill) Check the detergent dispenser; unplug 60 seconds; service if it persists
PE, E33 Water level sensor fault Unplug 10 seconds, restart; service if it persists
tE Front-load: heating fault; top-load: temperature sensor Unplug 10 seconds, restart; service if it persists
AE Front-load: leak inside the washer. Top-load: rotation error Front-load: check inlet hose connections, unplug 60 seconds
Sud Too many suds; the washer adds a suds-removing cycle Use less detergent next time
FF Frozen water in the washer or hoses Thaw the hoses in warm water, 50°C (122°F) or lower
CE Over-current Unplug 10 seconds; if it persists, close the water tap and call
PF Power failure during the cycle Restart the cycle
CL Child Lock is on, not a fault Hold the child lock button for 3 seconds

The codes you can usually clear at home

Water in, water out and balance cover most of what goes wrong:

  • Water not draining (OE). A kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter. LG says only front-load washers and washer-dryer combos have this filter, and recommends cleaning it monthly.
  • Water not filling (IE). A closed faucet, a kinked or frozen hose, or a blocked inlet filter. On top-load models LG also warns that a drain hose pushed more than 4 inches into the drainpipe can siphon the water out.
  • Load out of balance (UE). Bulky single items, a load that is too small or too large, or a washer that is not level.
  • Door codes (dE). Clothing caught in the door or something blocking the latch.
  • Too many suds (Sud). LG says not to add more detergent than the manufacturer recommends.
A front-load washer and dryer side by side in a laundry roomOE: will not drain
A woman loading towels into a top-load washing machineUE: unbalanced load
Two water supply valves with red handles on a white wallIE: will not fill
A hand placing a blue towel into the drum of a front-load washerLE: motor code

The codes that point at a part

Safety

LE, FE, PE, tE, CE and the front-load AE leak code point at a motor, valve, sensor, heater or leak inside the cabinet. LG’s step for each is a reset, then service. Do not open the washer’s cabinet or touch its wiring with the power connected, and if the floor is wet around the washer, unplug it before you go near it.

A reset is worth one try. LG’s waits vary by code: 10 seconds for PE and tE, 60 seconds for FE and AE, and 5 minutes for LE on its newer front-load list. If the code returns, book a repair and have the code, the model number and the serial number ready (where to find them).

Front-load or top-load: why it matters

LG’s two code lists mostly agree, with two differences that catch people out:

  1. AE means different things. On a front-load washer it is a leak. On LG’s top-load list it is grouped with LE and LE1 as a rotation error.
  2. Only front-load washers have a drain pump filter. On a top-load washer, the OE steps are the hose, a spin-only cycle and Tub Clean.

Newer front-load models can also show E-numbers instead of letters, such as E03 or E21 for a drain fault and E02 or E10 for a fill fault. The meaning is the same.

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Order a part only after the checks on the code’s page, and match it to your model number.

Keeping the common codes away

Four habits from LG’s own pages help keep the codes above away:

  • Clean the drain pump filter monthly on a front-load washer, as LG recommends. It is the filter in front of the pump that OE complains about.
  • Measure the detergent. LG says not to use more than the recommended amount; too much brings Sud and, on its newer front-load list, appears among the OE steps too.
  • Load for balance. About two-thirds of the drum on a front-load washer, no single heavy item on its own, and the washer level on all four feet.
  • Check the hoses whenever the washer is moved for kinks and damage, and replace damaged ones, as LG’s IE steps say. For LG dryer and dishwasher codes, go to the LG hub.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset an LG washer error code?

For many codes LG's reset is to unplug the washer, wait, and plug it back in: 10 seconds for codes such as PE and tE, 60 seconds for FE and AE, and 5 minutes for LE on its newer front-load list. A reset only clears the display; if the cause is still there, the code comes back.

What does CL mean on an LG washer?

CL is not an error. LG says it shows that Child Lock is on. Press and hold the child lock button for 3 seconds to turn it off.

Do LG front-load and top-load washers use the same codes?

Mostly, but not always. OE, UE, IE and dE appear on both. AE means a leak on LG front-load washers but a rotation error on LG's top-load list, and only front-load models have a drain pump filter you can clean.

Filed under LGStart with LG Error Codes: Washer, Dryer and Dishwasher Codes Explained

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