Is your LG washing machine showing an error code, stopping during a cycle, or refusing to fill, drain, spin or unlock? The code identifies the system where the washer detected a problem, but it does not always identify the exact failed part.
LG uses different codes across front-load, top-load, SideKick, WashTower and washer-dryer combination models. Record the complete code and model number before resetting the washer or ordering a replacement component.
What do LG washer error codes mean?
LG washer codes identify conditions involving water supply, draining, load balance, door locking, excessive suds, overflowing, motors, water-level sensing, temperature, freezing and electrical power. For example, IE indicates an incoming-water problem, OE means the washer cannot drain normally, and UE means it could not balance the load for spinning.
Check whether the message is an error, reminder or operating status
CL normally means Control Lock is active, tCL is a Tub Clean reminder, and Cd may indicate that a washer-dryer combination is cooling down. On certain top-load models, lowercase uE means the washer is still attempting to rebalance the load, while uppercase UE means it needs help.
Stop the washer if it is leaking or overfilling
Close the hot and cold water valves if the washer is overflowing, continuously filling or leaking onto the floor. Disconnect electrical power when it is safe to do so.
Do not touch the plug, outlet, washer or breaker while standing in water. Stop using the appliance if the breaker trips, the outlet becomes hot, or you smell burning or see smoke or damaged wiring.
Quick LG Washer Error Code Guide
Washer will not fill: IE
Washer will not drain: OE
Load needs balancing: UE or Ub
Door or lid problem: dE, dE1, dE2, dL or d3
Motor cannot rotate normally: LE or CE
Too much water: FE
Water-level sensing problem: PE
Temperature or heating problem: tE, HE or dHE
Power was interrupted: PF
Not normally a fault: CL, tCL, Cd or lowercase uE
What to Do Before Resetting the Washer
- Record the full code exactly as displayed.
- Take a photograph or short video of the control panel.
- Locate the model and serial number.
- Note whether the code appeared during filling, washing, draining or spinning.
- Look for standing water, leaking, excessive foam or an unbalanced load.
- Listen for humming, grinding, repeated clicking or a pump running continuously.
- Complete the safe checks associated with the code before clearing it.
A reset may remove the message temporarily without correcting a blocked hose, failed pump, damaged door lock, faulty sensor, wiring problem or motor fault.
LG Water Supply, Drain and Overflow Codes
IE: Water Inlet Error
IE means the washer is not receiving enough water within the expected time.
Possible causes
- One or both water valves are closed
- An inlet hose is kinked, crushed or frozen
- An inlet screen is restricted by sediment
- Household water pressure is low
- Water is siphoning through an incorrectly installed drain hose
- The inlet valve or connected wiring has failed
What you can check: Confirm that the hot and cold valves are fully open and inspect both hoses for kinks. Check whether nearby taps have normal water pressure. Clean inlet screens only according to the model instructions.
OE: Drain Error
OE means the washer cannot remove water at the expected speed.
Common causes
- Kinked, frozen or blocked drain hose
- Clogged pump filter on an applicable front-load model
- Blocked standpipe or household drain
- Excessive detergent foam
- Failed drain pump, wiring or control
Inspect the accessible drain hose. Clean the pump filter only when the owner’s manual provides a homeowner procedure, and prepare for retained water to drain from the washer.
FE: Overfill Error
FE means the washer detected more water than it should contain.
Possible causes
- Water inlet valve is not closing
- Pressure or water-level sensor is reporting incorrectly
- Excessive suds are affecting level detection
- Pressure hose is blocked or damaged
- Electronic control problem
Turn the washer off and close both water valves if water continues entering. Do not keep resetting an overflow code or leave the appliance unattended.
LG Load-Balance, Suds and Maintenance Messages
uE, UE or Ub: Unbalanced Load
Lowercase uE on applicable top-load models normally means the washer is attempting to rebalance the clothing automatically. It may add water and move the load before trying the spin again.
Uppercase UE or Ub means the washer could not correct the imbalance by itself.
Untangle and redistribute the laundry evenly. Add one or two similar items when the load is too small, and avoid washing one heavy item by itself. Persistent balance errors with ordinary loads may indicate levelling, suspension, sensor or drive problems.
Sud or SUD: Excessive Suds
The washer detected enough foam to interfere with washing, rinsing, spinning or draining. It may pause while the suds collapse and continue automatically.
Use HE detergent and follow the concentration shown on the detergent label. If Sud appears with little visible foam, a drain or water-level sensing problem may be involved.
CL: Control Lock Is Active
CL is normally a setting rather than a washer failure. Press and hold the button or button combination marked for Control Lock in the model manual. The required controls and hold time differ between washers.
tCL: Tub Clean Reminder
tCL is a maintenance reminder, not normally a fault. Remove all clothing and run the Tub Clean cycle using the cleaning product and procedure recommended for the washer.
LG Door, Motor and Electrical Codes
dE, dE1 or dE2: Door Lock Error
The washer cannot confirm that the door is closed and securely locked. The exact distinction between dE, dE1 and dE2 varies by washer design.
What you can check
- Remove clothing caught between the door and gasket.
- Inspect the latch and strike for visible damage.
- Reduce an overloaded load.
- Close the door firmly without slamming it.
Do not pry the door open, bend the strike or bypass the lock. The lock assembly, wiring or control may need testing if the code returns.
LE: Motor Is Locked or Overloaded
LE means the washer cannot rotate the drum normally or cannot confirm the expected motor movement.
An oversized load, tightly packed clothing or a temporary motor overload can trigger the code. The motor, rotor, stator, Hall sensor, wiring or control may also be involved.
Remove some clothing and allow the washer time to cool before one test cycle. Stop if the drum is difficult to turn, the washer makes grinding sounds, or LE returns with a normal load.
CE: Motor Current Error
CE indicates that the washer detected an abnormal electrical-current condition in the motor system.
Reduce an overloaded load and complete one power reset. Persistent CE errors can involve the motor, inverter, wiring or main control and should be professionally diagnosed.
PF: Power Failure
PF means electrical power was interrupted during the cycle. It can appear after an outage, unplugging or a tripped breaker.
Restart the cycle once stable power is restored. Arrange electrical or appliance service if PF returns without a known outage or the breaker repeatedly trips.
LG Sensor, Heating and Cold-Weather Codes
PE: Water-Level Sensor Error
PE means the washer cannot read the water level correctly.
The pressure sensor, pressure hose, wiring or electronic control may be involved. Do not blow into pressure hoses or bypass the water-level system. A returning PE code requires professional testing.
tE: Temperature Sensor Error
tE indicates an abnormal temperature reading or heating-system condition.
The thermistor, sensor wiring, connector, heater or electronic control may require testing. Stop using the appliance if it becomes unusually hot, trips the breaker or produces a burning smell.
FF: Frozen Washer or Water System
FF can appear when water freezes inside an inlet hose, drain hose, pump or another part of the washer’s water system.
Warm the laundry area gradually and follow the model-specific thawing procedure. Do not use an open flame, heat gun or boiling water. Arrange service when a hose or internal component appears damaged.
HE, dHE or Cd: Washer-Dryer Combination Messages
HE and dHE may indicate a heating or drying-system problem on applicable combination models. Cd generally means the machine is cooling down after drying and is not normally a fault.
Allow the cooling process to finish. Arrange service if a heating code returns, drying performance is poor, the appliance overheats or the breaker trips.
How to Reset an LG Washing Machine
Resetting can clear a temporary control interruption, but it cannot repair a blockage, leak, failed pump, defective lock, damaged sensor or motor problem.
- Record the complete error code.
- Complete the safe checks associated with the code.
- Turn the washer off.
- Unplug it or switch off its dedicated breaker.
- Wait approximately one to five minutes, or use the interval stated in the manual.
- Restore power.
- Run a short test cycle and watch whether the code returns.
Do not repeatedly reset overflow, leaking, motor, temperature or electrical errors. A returning code means the washer is still detecting the condition.
What Not to Do When an LG Washer Shows an Error
- Do not reset the washer before recording the code.
- Do not force a locked door or lid open.
- Do not continue operating a washer that leaks or overfills.
- Do not pour water manually into the drum.
- Do not bypass the door lock or water-level sensor.
- Do not pull inlet screens out with a sharp tool.
- Do not reach into the drain pump while power is connected.
- Do not use an extension cord or power bar.
- Do not assume every code has the same meaning on every LG washer.
When to Call an LG Washer Repair Technician
Checking the water valves, accessible hoses, pump filter, detergent use, load balance and door obstruction are reasonable first steps. Professional service is recommended when:
- The same code returns after safe troubleshooting.
- The washer leaks or overfills.
- It will not fill, drain or spin.
- The door or lid will not lock or unlock.
- The pump hums, grinds or runs continuously.
- LE, CE, PE or tE continues after a reset.
- The washer repeatedly becomes unbalanced with normal loads.
- The breaker trips or the outlet becomes hot.
- You smell burning or see smoke or damaged wiring.
Alpha Tech provides LG appliance repair and washing machine repair in Toronto and the GTA.
What a Technician Checks During the Service Visit
The technician will confirm the complete code, washer model and point in the cycle where the problem appears. Mention recent plumbing work, installation changes, freezing conditions, power failures, detergent changes, leaking or unusual sounds.
- Water pressure, supply hoses, inlet screens and inlet valve
- Drain hose, pump filter, drain pump and household drain
- Door lock, latch, strike and lid-lock system
- Water-level sensor and pressure hose
- Motor, rotor, stator and Hall sensor
- Suspension and load-balance system
- Temperature sensor and heater
- Wiring and electrical connectors
- User interface and main control
Testing the complete affected system helps avoid replacing a pump, valve, lock, sensor, motor or control board based only on the displayed code.
Check the Instructions for Your LG Washer Model
LG code meanings and troubleshooting procedures differ between front-load, top-load, SideKick, WashTower and combination appliances. Use the full model number when reviewing manufacturer instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OE mean on an LG washing machine?
OE means the washer cannot drain at the expected speed. Check the drain hose, user-accessible pump filter, detergent use and household drain.
What does IE mean on an LG washer?
IE means the washer is not receiving enough water. Confirm that both supply valves are open and that the inlet hoses and screens are not restricted.
What is the difference between uE and UE?
On applicable LG top-load washers, lowercase uE means the machine is attempting to rebalance the load automatically. Uppercase UE means it could not correct the imbalance and the clothing should be redistributed.
What does LE mean on an LG washer?
LE means the washer cannot rotate the motor or drum normally. Reduce an overloaded load and allow the appliance to cool. A returning LE code may require motor, sensor, wiring or control diagnosis.
Are CL and tCL LG washer errors?
Usually not. CL means Control Lock is active, while tCL is a reminder to run the Tub Clean cycle with the washer empty.
How do I reset an LG washer error code?
Record the code and complete the relevant checks first. Turn the washer off, disconnect power for approximately one to five minutes, restore power and run a short test cycle.
When should I call an LG washer technician?
Book service when a code returns after safe troubleshooting, the washer leaks or overfills, will not fill or drain, cannot lock, makes unusual pump or motor sounds, or shows a recurring motor, sensor, heating or electrical code.
Is Your LG Washer Code Still Returning?
An error code identifies the affected system, but testing may be needed to determine whether the cause is a hose, pump, valve, lock, sensor, motor, wire or control.
Alpha Tech Appliance provides LG washing machine diagnosis and repair for homeowners across Toronto and the GTA.