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LG Washing Machine Error Codes – Complete List of Error Codes, Meanings, Causes, Troubleshooting and Solutions for Front Load, Top Load & Washer-Dryer Models

Modern LG washing machines use an electronic self-diagnostic system to monitor important components such as water supply, drainage, drum rotation, motor oper...

Bison Technical Team Enterprise IT specialists

Updated 22 Aug 2026 14 min read 0 total views

Modern LG washing machines use an electronic self-diagnostic system to monitor important components such as water supply, drainage, drum rotation, motor operation, door locking, water level, heating and vibration.

When the control system detects an abnormal condition, an error code or notification code may appear on the display.

LG currently maintains separate troubleshooting information for front-load and top-load washing machines, and the exact codes available can vary by product model and market. LG's current front-load documentation, for example, includes families such as OE/E03/E21, IE/E02/E10, dE/dE1/dE2/E01/E30, FE/E04/E12 and PE/E33, while top-load models have their own code set.

Therefore, an error code should always be interpreted together with the exact model number and washer type.

Quick Reference: LG Washing Machine Error Codes

Code	General Meaning	First Action
IE	Water inlet error	Check tap, inlet hose and filter
OE	Drain/outlet error	Check drain hose/filter
UE	Unbalanced load	Redistribute clothes
dE	Door error	Close door correctly
dE1 / dE2	Door/door-lock problem	Check obstruction and locking
LE / LE1	Motor/rotation problem	Reduce load, inspect for obstruction
FE	Overfill error	Stop water supply
PE	Water-level/pressure sensor error	Reset; service if repeated
tE	Temperature/heating sensor error	Reset; service if repeated
CE	Motor over-current	Stop and reset washer
AE	Leak or rotation-related depending on model	Inspect for leaks/model-specific cause
E3	Drain motor error on applicable top loaders	Reset and inspect drainage
PF	Power failure	Restart cycle
HE	Heater error	Reset; service if repeated
dHE	Dryer heating/function error	Reset washer-dryer
SE	Sensor error	Reset; service if repeated
FF	Freeze/frozen-water condition	Thaw hoses/water path
vS / uS	Vibration sensor problem	Reset and inspect installation
CL	Child/Control Lock	Disable Control Lock if required
tcL / tCL	Tub Clean reminder	Run Tub Clean
Sud	Excessive detergent/suds	Allow suds to reduce
Cd	Cool-down indication	Usually normal operation
E01 / E30	Door-related on applicable models	Check door/lock
E02 / E10	Water inlet-related	Check water supply
E03 / E21	Drain-related	Check drainage
E04 / E12	Overflow-related	Stop supply/check water level
E33	Water-level/pressure-related	Sensor diagnosis may be required
OPn	Door/open indication on applicable models	Check door

Detailed Error Codes, Causes and Solutions

1. LG IE Error – Water Inlet Error

Meaning

IE means the washing machine cannot obtain an adequate amount of water within the expected time.

LG identifies common causes including a closed water supply, restricted or bent inlet hose, frozen supply hose and other water-supply problems.

Possible Causes

Water tap closed or partially open
Low water pressure
Kinked inlet hose
Blocked inlet filter
Frozen water supply hose
Faulty water inlet valve
Wiring or control problem

Solution

Make sure the water tap is fully open.
Check that the inlet hose is not bent or crushed.
Disconnect power and safely inspect/clean the inlet filter.
Confirm that sufficient water pressure is available.
Check whether the supply hose has frozen in very cold conditions.
Restart the washer.

LG India specifies checking the water tap, inlet filter, inlet hose and water pressure when troubleshooting IE.

If IE repeatedly returns despite normal water supply, the inlet valve, wiring or associated control circuitry may require professional diagnosis.

2. LG OE Error – Drain/Outlet Error

Meaning

OE means the washer is unable to drain water correctly.

Common Causes

Clogged drain filter
Blocked drain hose
Kinked or incorrectly positioned hose
Foreign objects such as coins or pins
Drain pump malfunction
Electrical problem with pump circuit

Solution

Switch off the washer.
Check the drain hose for bends or blockage.
Clean the drain/pump filter where accessible.
Check for coins, lint, buttons or other debris.
Verify that the drain installation meets the machine's requirements.
Restart the washer.

LG India specifically identifies drain-filter obstruction and drainage problems as common OE causes.

If the pump runs but water does not drain, inspect for a physical blockage before assuming the pump has failed.

3. LG UE Error – Unbalanced Load

Meaning

UE normally indicates that the washer cannot properly balance the laundry for spinning.

Possible Causes

Clothes concentrated on one side
Single heavy blanket or towel
Very small load
Overloaded drum
Washer not level
Unstable floor

Solution

Pause the washer and redistribute the clothes evenly.

For a small load, adding one or two similar items can sometimes improve balance. Heavy and light items should be appropriately distributed, and the washer should stand on a firm, level surface. LG recommends checking load distribution and machine levelling when UE occurs.

Repeated UE errors with properly balanced loads can indicate a suspension, vibration-control or sensor issue.

4. LG dE / dE1 / dE2 Error – Door Error

These codes generally indicate that the washer cannot confirm that the door is correctly closed or locked.

Check

Door fully closed
Clothing trapped between door and gasket
Foreign object around latch
Door latch alignment
Door-lock mechanism

Solution

Open the door, remove any trapped clothing and firmly close it again.

Power-cycle the washer if necessary.

If the door is physically closed but the code remains, the door-lock assembly, switch, wiring or control circuit may require inspection.

LG's current front-load documentation groups dE, dE1, dE2, E01 and E30 within its door-error troubleshooting family.

5. LG LE / LE1 Error – Motor or Rotation Problem

LE commonly indicates that the drum/tub motor cannot rotate normally.

Possible reasons include:

Washer overloaded
Foreign object interfering with rotation
Motor unable to turn
Rotor/stator related problem
Motor sensor issue
Wiring problem

LG states that an LE code can appear when the tub fails to spin because the motor cannot operate properly, including situations involving excessive loading or foreign objects.

Solution

Turn the washer off.
Unplug it.
Remove some laundry if overloaded.
Inspect the drum/tub area for visible foreign objects.
Wait approximately five minutes.
Reconnect power.
Try another cycle.

If LE returns repeatedly, professional diagnosis may be required.

6. LG AE Error

AE requires particular attention because its meaning can vary between washer platforms.

On LG's current front-load documentation, AE is associated with leakage inside the appliance, and the machine's flood-protection system may activate.

On certain LG top-load platforms, AE can instead relate to the mechanism responsible for rotating the tub. LG's top-load documentation groups AE, LE and LE1 as rotation-related errors.

Therefore

Do not assume that every LG AE error has exactly the same meaning.

Check the model-specific manual.

For a front loader showing AE:

Inspect underneath the machine for water.
Check inlet hoses.
Check drain connections.
Check detergent overflow/oversudsing.
Disconnect power if active leakage is present.

For an applicable top loader:

Check for foreign objects interfering with the wash plate/tub.
Avoid forcing the drum or mechanism.

7. LG FE Error – Water Overfill

FE indicates that the machine has detected excessive water.

Possible Causes

Water inlet valve stuck open
Water-level sensor problem
Pressure hose problem
Electronic control problem

Solution

If water continues entering unexpectedly:

Turn off the water supply.
Switch off and unplug the washer.
Do not continue operating an actively overfilling machine.

LG states that FE indicates an overfilled tub and advises service if the condition continues after resetting.

8. LG PE / E33 Error – Water-Level/Pressure Sensor

PE generally means that the washer cannot correctly detect the water level.

LG identifies PE as a pressure/water-level sensor error.

Possible Causes

Pressure sensor malfunction
Pressure hose disconnected or blocked
Wiring problem
Control-board issue
Temporary electronic fault

Solution

Disconnect power briefly and restart the machine.

If PE repeatedly returns, professional inspection is recommended because testing the sensor, pressure tube, wiring and control board generally requires opening the appliance.

Certain front-load platforms may display E33 for the related water-level/pressure error family.

9. LG tE Error – Temperature Sensor/Heating Error

tE is generally associated with temperature sensing or the thermistor/heating circuit.

LG's current front-load support identifies tE as a heating error commonly associated with the thermistor.

Possible Causes

Thermistor failure
Loose connector
Damaged wiring
Heating-system problem
Control-board fault

Solution

Try a power reset.

If the code returns, discontinue repeated operation and arrange professional inspection.

10. LG CE Error – Motor Over-Current

CE generally indicates excessive current in the motor circuit.

Potential causes include:

Motor overload
Motor electrical fault
Rotor/stator problem
Wiring fault
Control electronics

Remove excessive laundry and reset the washer.

Persistent CE errors should be professionally diagnosed.

11. LG E3 Error – Drain Motor Error

On applicable LG top-load washing machines, E3 indicates an issue with drain-motor operation.

LG notes that frozen water can sometimes contribute to this condition.

Solution

Power-cycle the machine and check whether drainage is obstructed or frozen.

If E3 repeatedly returns, the drain motor or associated electrical circuit may require inspection.

12. LG PF Error – Power Failure

PF indicates that power was interrupted during operation.

Possible reasons include:

Power outage
Loose plug
Circuit breaker trip
Voltage interruption
Power disconnected during a cycle

Solution

Restart the washer and cycle.

If PF repeatedly appears without an obvious building power problem, have the electrical supply, outlet and appliance checked.

LG identifies PF as a power-failure condition.

13. LG HE Error – Heater Error

HE indicates a heating-system problem on applicable machines.

Possible Causes

Heating element problem
Temperature-control problem
Wiring fault
Relay/control-board issue

Try one power reset.

If HE returns, professional diagnosis is recommended. LG's current guidance advises service when the HE condition persists after restarting.

14. LG dHE Error – Dryer Heating/Function Error

This applies mainly to washer-dryer combination machines.

LG describes dHE as a dry-function error on applicable models.

Solution

Turn off the washer-dryer.
Unplug it.
Wait briefly.
Restore power.
Retry the cycle.

Persistent dHE errors require inspection of the drying/heating system.

15. LG SE Error – Sensor Error

SE generally indicates a sensor-related problem on applicable models.

A temporary electronic fault may clear after power cycling, but repeated SE errors can indicate a failed sensor, wiring problem or electronic-control issue.

LG recommends professional service if SE persists after restarting the machine.

16. LG FF Error – Freeze Condition

FF is associated with freezing/frozen water conditions on applicable models.

Check

Water inlet hose
Drain hose
Internal water paths
Installation temperature

Do not use excessive external heat, open flames or boiling water on washer components.

Allow frozen components to thaw safely according to the model's instructions.

17. LG vS / uS Error – Vibration Sensor

These codes indicate a potential problem involving the washer's vibration sensor.

LG states that vS/uS can indicate a sensor malfunction or connection/contact problem.

Before requesting service, verify:

Washer is level
Feet are stable
Floor is firm
Load is balanced

If the code persists even with an empty or properly balanced washer, sensor or wiring diagnosis may be required.

18. LG CL – Child Lock / Control Lock

CL is normally not a washing-machine failure.

It indicates that the Child Lock or Control Lock feature is enabled.

Buttons may appear unresponsive while the lock is active.

Use the model-specific button combination to disable Control Lock.

Because the key combination differs between models, check the labels printed on the control panel or the owner's manual rather than assuming one universal combination.

19. LG tcL / tCL – Tub Clean Reminder

This is generally a maintenance notification rather than a fault.

It reminds the user that the washer's tub/drum should be cleaned.

Run the machine's Tub Clean cycle according to the owner's manual.

Regular cleaning can help reduce:

Detergent residue
Odour
Biofilm
Dirt accumulation
Mould around damp areas

LG lists tCL as a Tub Clean notification on applicable machines.

20. LG Sud Error – Excessive Suds

Sud indicates excessive foaming.

Common Causes

Too much detergent
Incorrect detergent
Non-HE detergent in an HE washer
Excessive detergent concentration

Solution

Allow the washer to manage/remove the foam and avoid adding additional detergent.

For future loads, reduce detergent quantity and use the detergent type specified for the machine.

Repeated oversudsing can interfere with washing, rinsing and drainage.

21. LG Cd – Cool-Down Indication

Cd on applicable washer-dryer models generally represents a cool-down stage rather than a hardware failure.

The machine may continue periodic movement while cooling the laundry after drying.

Do not immediately interpret Cd as a component failure.

Alternative Error Codes on Certain LG Platforms

Some LG washing-machine platforms use additional numeric/alphanumeric codes.

E01 / E30

Generally grouped with door-related errors on applicable front-load models.

Check:

Door closure
Clothing trapped in door
Door latch
Door-lock mechanism

E02 / E10

Generally grouped with water-inlet errors.

Check:

Water tap
Water pressure
Inlet hose
Inlet filter
Water inlet valve

LG's current front-load error guide groups IE, E02 and E10 together.

E03 / E21

Generally grouped with drainage errors.

Check:

Drain filter
Drain hose
Pump obstruction
Drain-pump operation

LG groups OE, E03 and E21 within the same current front-load troubleshooting family.

E04 / E12

Generally grouped with overflow/overfill errors.

If water continues entering the machine, turn off the water supply and disconnect power.

LG groups FE, E04 and E12 together on applicable front-load machines.

E33

Associated with the pressure/water-level system on applicable platforms.

Persistent errors may require checking the water-level sensor, pressure tubing, wiring and electronics.

OPn

On applicable models, OPn is associated with a door/open condition.

Check whether the door is correctly closed and whether anything is interfering with the latch.

Safe General Reset Procedure

For many temporary electronic errors, a basic reset may help.

Turn the washing machine off.
Disconnect it from electrical power.
Wait approximately 1–5 minutes.
Reconnect power.
Turn the machine on.
Try a short cycle.

A reset can clear a temporary electronic condition, but it does not repair a defective component.

If the same error immediately returns, investigate its underlying cause.

When Should You Call a Technician?

Professional inspection is recommended when:

The same error repeatedly returns.
Water is leaking from inside the machine.
The washer continues filling uncontrollably.
The drum cannot rotate.
There is a burning smell.
The circuit breaker repeatedly trips.
Abnormal electrical noise is present.
Door-lock errors continue despite correct closure.
Motor errors repeatedly occur.
Heater or sensor errors persist.
Wiring or internal electronics need testing.

Disconnect power immediately if there are signs of electrical burning, smoke, significant leakage or an unsafe electrical condition.

Important: Error Codes Can Vary by LG Model and Country

LG manufactures many washing-machine families for different regions. Codes and troubleshooting procedures can therefore vary according to:

Model number
Production generation
Front-load or top-load design
Washer-only or washer-dryer design
Direct Drive platform
Control-board generation
Regional product specification

LG itself notes that error/notification codes can differ by product model.

For model-specific confirmation, consult LG Support and search using the exact model number printed on the appliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the most common LG washing machine error?

IE, OE, UE and dE are among the commonly encountered codes because they relate to basic washer operations: filling, draining, balancing and door locking.

2. What does IE mean on an LG washing machine?

IE means that sufficient water has not entered the machine within the expected period. Check the water tap, pressure, inlet hose and inlet filter.

3. What does OE mean?

OE indicates a drainage problem. Inspect the drain hose and drain/pump filter for restrictions.

4. How do I fix UE?

Redistribute the clothes, avoid washing one very heavy item by itself when inappropriate, and make sure the machine is level.

5. Is CL an error?

Usually no. CL normally indicates that Child Lock/Control Lock is enabled.

6. Is tCL an error?

Usually no. It is generally a Tub Clean maintenance reminder.

7. What does LE mean?

LE indicates that the motor/tub cannot rotate normally. Overloading or a foreign object can be among the causes.

8. Can unplugging the washer clear an error?

Sometimes. A power reset may clear temporary electronic conditions. It will not fix a failed pump, sensor, motor, heater, valve or control board.

9. Why does my LG washer show OE even after cleaning the filter?

Possible causes include a blocked drain hose, weak or defective drain pump, wiring fault, incorrect drain installation or a deeper obstruction.

10. Why does IE return even though the tap is open?

Check water pressure, inlet filters, kinked hoses and the inlet valve. A defective inlet valve or control problem may require service.

11. What should I do if FE appears?

If the washer is actively overfilling, shut off the water supply and disconnect power. Persistent FE errors require professional inspection.

12. Does AE always mean a water leak?

No. This is model-dependent. Current LG front-load documentation associates AE with leakage, while certain LG top-load machines use AE for a rotation/gear-related problem.

Always check the exact model.

13. Can excessive detergent cause washer problems?

Yes. Excess detergent can create excessive foam, interfere with rinsing/draining and trigger Sud-related behaviour.

14. What does PF mean?

PF indicates that the washer experienced an interruption in electrical power.

15. Why does my LG washer keep showing dE?

The door may not be fully closed, clothing may be trapped near the seal, or the latch/door-lock mechanism may have a fault.

16. Should I replace the motor when LE appears?

Not immediately. First check for overloading and foreign objects and try the recommended reset. Persistent LE requires diagnosis before replacing components.

17. What does PE mean?

PE indicates a water-level/pressure-sensing problem.

18. Is Cd an error?

Generally no. On applicable washer-dryer machines, Cd is associated with the cool-down process.

19. Can I continue using the washer with a sensor error?

Repeated sensor errors should not be ignored. Incorrect sensing can affect filling, heating, spinning or other safety-related operations.

20. Where can I find the exact error-code information for my washer?

Use the model number printed on the washer and consult the corresponding owner's manual or LG's official support documentation.

Safety Disclaimer

This article is provided for general technical information, troubleshooting and educational purposes. LG washing-machine designs, components, error codes and repair procedures vary by model, manufacturing year and country.

Do not dismantle the washer, test live electrical circuits, bypass safety devices or attempt internal electrical repairs unless you are appropriately trained and qualified.

Always disconnect the appliance from electrical power before carrying out user-accessible inspection or maintenance, and shut off the water supply when dealing with leakage or uncontrolled filling.

For persistent faults, electrical problems, internal leakage, motor failures, heater faults or control-board problems, contact an authorized or qualified appliance service technician.