LG Washer Error Codes: UE, OE, LE, IE, dE, CL and More

LG washer error codes usually point at something you can check yourself: the water supply, the drain, the load, the door or the detergent, and one of them, CL, is not a fault at all. LG says its codes vary by model, and some letters mean different things on a front-loader and a top-loader, so confirm your code in your owner's manual or on LG's error code list.

Safety first: unplug the washer or switch off its breaker before you open any panel or reach behind it, and never force or bypass the door lock.

How to reset an LG washer

First make sure Child Lock is off, since every button except Power stops working while it is on. Then use the reset from LG's unresponsive-buttons guide:

1. Power the washer off.
2. Unplug it from the outlet, or turn off its circuit breaker.
3. While it has no power, press and hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds.
4. Plug it back in, or turn the breaker back on.
5. Power the washer on and restart the cycle.

The same steps clear PF, which means the power was interrupted during a cycle, as in an outage. Several codes, including PE, tE and CE, use a shorter version: unplug for 10 seconds, plug back in and restart. If the washer still will not start or respond after a reset, LG says it needs service. For other brands, see how to reset a washing machine.

Water and drain codes

OE: drain error

LG says the washer cannot drain the water from the cycle. On top-loaders it means draining slowly or not at all.

1. Check behind the washer that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, and straighten it.
2. On a front-loader, test the pump: power on, select High spin speed, press Start/Pause for a spin-only cycle and listen during the first 15 seconds. A hum means the pump motor is working, so clean the filter. If you hear nothing, LG says the drain pump needs service.
3. To clean the filter, unplug the washer and open the service panel at the bottom left. Pull out the small drain hose, remove its plug and drain the remaining water into a bucket. Twist the filter counterclockwise to remove it, clean it with a soft brush and warm water, then screw it back in clockwise until secure and replace the hose cap.
4. Run a Tub Clean cycle, then try a normal wash. If suds caused the error, use less detergent.

When to call a technician: OE returns after the filter is clean, or the pump makes no sound. The drain pump is the usual repair. Our washer not draining or spinning guide has more.

IE: water inlet error

LG says the tub did not fill to an adequate level within the set time.

1. Make sure the supply hose is connected properly and the faucet is fully open.
2. Unfold any kinked or pinched hose; vibration during a cycle can bend it.
3. Turn off the faucet, disconnect the hose at the washer and clear rust, sand or sediment out of the inlet filter with your fingers or pliers.
4. In a hard freeze, a frozen supply hose or faucet can cause IE. LG suggests wrapping the faucet in a hot towel for 5 minutes and thawing the hose with warm water.

When to call a technician: LG says that if these steps do not help, there may be a malfunction in the water supply valve. See our guide to a washer not filling with water.

On LG top-loaders, the error code list adds that the water pressure must be between 14.5 and 116 psi.

Searching for LG washer 1E? LG's US error code list does not include a separate 1E code; IE is the fill code it documents. If your display shows something that does not match, check the code list in your manual.

FE: overfilling

LG says the washer is overfilling, usually because of a faulty water valve.

1. Close both water faucets.
2. Select a no-spin (drain) setting and press Start/Pause to drain the water.
3. Restart the cycle.

When to call a technician: FE comes back. A water inlet valve that will not close, or the water level sensor, is the usual cause.

PE: water level sensor

LG says the water level sensor is not working properly. Unplug the washer for 10 seconds, plug it back in and restart; if PE returns, it needs service.

Balance and motor codes

UE (Ub): unbalanced load

LG says UE means the laundry has piled up on one side of the drum.

1. Pause the cycle, take the laundry out and spread it evenly in the drum.
2. Load the drum about two-thirds full; LG says the washer performs best there.
3. Skip items LG says may be damaged, such as bath mats, carpets, electric blankets, curtains and rubber mats. For blankets, choose the Duvet cycle with a medium spin speed.
4. Rock the washer front to back and side to side. If it rocks, adjust the leg on the side it tilts toward until all four sit firmly on the floor.

LG top-loaders try to rebalance on their own up to three times before stopping. When to call a technician: nearly every load ends in UE. Worn shock absorbers or suspension parts are the usual cause; see washer shaking violently.

LE: locked motor

On front-loaders, LG says LE appears when the tub fails to spin because the washer is overloaded or a foreign object is stuck in the tub.

On top-loaders, LG calls LE a motor locked error caused by a coin or object caught in the mechanism.

1. Unplug the washer, wait 5 minutes and try the cycle again. LG's error code list also suggests letting the washer rest 30 minutes to cool down.
2. Reduce the load, and use the bedding cycle for heavy loads or large blankets.
3. With the power off, unload the washer and look for coins or objects in the tub. Remove them with pliers or tweezers.

When to call a technician: LG says to unplug the washer and call for service if LE keeps appearing. The motor, its position sensor, the wiring or the control can be at fault, and we test before replacing parts.

Door, lock and detergent codes

dE, dE1, dE2: door errors

On LG front-loaders, dE means the washer door was unable to lock. dE1 means the door is not closed properly, often because laundry is caught between the door and the rubber gasket. dE2 means the door is closed but not locked, from too much laundry, something caught at the gasket or a bent or broken latch. On top-loaders, dE means the lid is not properly closed.

1. Open the door, clear any laundry from the gasket and close it firmly.
2. Reset the washer with the steps above: power off, unplug, hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds, restore power and try again.
3. On a top-loader, close the lid fully and press Start/Pause; LG says it will not spin until the lid locks.

When to call a technician: the code survives the reset. The door lock or latch has usually failed. Never bypass it; it keeps hands out of a spinning drum. If the door will not open at all, see washer door won't unlock.

CL: Child Lock, not a fault

CL shows that Child Lock is on. LG says every button except Power stops working while it is set, and it does not turn itself off when the cycle ends. To turn it off:

1. Make sure the washer is powered on.
2. Find the lock symbol or the words Child Lock on the panel. They mark the button, or pair of buttons, to use; depending on the model, that is Temp and Rinse together, Spin, or Steam.
3. Hold it for about 3 seconds until CL clears.

No technician is needed unless the buttons still will not respond once CL is gone.

Sud: too many suds

LG says the washer has detected too many suds.

• Use HE detergent only.
• Never use more than the detergent maker recommends, and cut back until the suds stop.

This is a detergent fix, not a repair.

Other LG codes

• tE: a heating error, usually a faulty thermistor. Unplug for 10 seconds, drain with a no-spin setting and restart. If it returns, call for service.
• CE (front-load): over-current in the motor circuit. Unplug for 10 seconds and retry; if it persists, it needs service.
• PF: the power was interrupted during a cycle. Use the reset steps above.
• tCL: a reminder to run Tub Clean, not a fault. LG suggests a monthly Tub Clean with a powder washer cleaner.

LG top-load codes

LG's list gives top-loaders a few codes of their own:

• CE: the drum fails to reach 20 RPM within 3 minutes. LG says this needs service; unplug the washer until it is repaired.
• FE: the water level is too high, usually a faulty inlet valve. Turn off the water, run a drain and spin cycle, and unplug the washer until it is serviced.
• DL: the door (lid) latch is not working. Remove anything caught in it, unplug for 10 seconds and retry; call if it persists.
• E6: a clutch error, often from a foreign object. Unload the washer, check the seam between the drum and the pulsator and remove coins, zippers or paper clips with pliers.
• D3: a faulty coupling. This needs service.
• dR: not an error. The washer drains on its own after it has been paused or idle for a few minutes.

What it costs in Atlanta

The diagnostic is $80, and it is waived when you approve the repair. Washer repairs start at $180 plus parts, and a typical washer repair on a standard brand runs $250 to $450 all in, with a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins. An LG washer repair can be finished on the first visit when the part is in stock, and if a part must be ordered, there is no trip charge for the return visit. Every repair carries our 60-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our pricing.

When a code survives the reset and the checks above, book a washer technician and have the code and model number handy. Have a Samsung as well? See Samsung washer error codes.

Schedule a visit or read about our washer repair service. Prefer to talk? Call (470) 778-4087.