LG Washing Machine Error Codes
17 error codes with causes and fixes
- OEWater won't drain from the tubOE is LG's Outlet Error. The drain pump ran but water remained in the tub after the allowed drain window—about 5–7 minutes on most front-loaders, or up to 13 minutes on some top-load models. The washer stops before spin to avoid leaving a full tub.
- LEDirect-drive motor locked or overloadedLE means Locked Motor Error on LG's direct-drive washers. The inverter board detected the drum cannot rotate—often from overload, a jammed object, or a failed hall sensor on the stator. You may hear a brief hum then the cycle stops.
- UELoad unbalanced before high-speed spinUE is an Unbalanced Error. Before reaching full spin speed, LG washers measure drum movement; if weight is piled on one side, the machine pauses and displays UE rather than shake violently. Single heavy items like bath mats are a frequent trigger.
- DEDoor not locked before cycle startdE (also shown as dE1 or dE2 on some displays) means the washer will not fill or spin because the door lock switch never reported a locked position. LG front-loaders require a confirmed latch before the inlet valves open.
- FEOverfill or water entering unexpectedlyFE is a Fill Error tied to overfill detection. The pressure switch or water level sensor reports more water than expected—sometimes because an inlet valve stuck open, the pressure hose disconnected, or the drain failed and water accumulated between cycles.
- PEWater level sensor faultPE indicates a Pressure Error—the water level sensor is not sending a valid signal to the main board. The washer may refuse to fill, drain, or advance cycles because it cannot determine how much water is in the tub.
- TEThermistor reading out of rangetE is a Thermistor Error. The NTC sensor that reports wash water temperature sent a resistance value outside the expected range—open circuit, short, or a reading that never changes during heated cycles.
- IENo water detected during fillIE is an Inlet Error. The inlet valves opened but the water level sensor never registered a rise within the fill timeout—so the board assumes no water entered the tub.
- HEHeater circuit not heating waterHE on select LG washers with internal heaters means the element did not bring wash water to the target temperature within the programmed time. Models without a heater may show HE for a related heating or thermistor fault—check your manual.
- SEMotor speed sensor mismatchSE is a Sensor Error on the motor circuit. The hall sensor reported drum speed that did not match what the inverter board commanded—often appearing after repeated LE events or following a power surge.
- AEAuto shutoff from leak detectionAE indicates an Auto Error shutoff related to leak or overflow protection on certain LG models. The machine stopped incoming water and locked out further operation until the leak path is identified and dried.
- CECommunication error between boardsCE is a Communication Error between the main control board and the sub-PCB or display module. Cycles may freeze mid-program or the panel may flash CE without responding to buttons.
- NEWi-Fi or SmartThinQ network faultnE is a Network Error on LG smart washers with Wi-Fi. The onboard Wi-Fi module failed to connect or lost pairing with the SmartThinQ app—it typically does not prevent manual washing but blocks remote start and notifications.
- FFFreeze detection or frozen fill linesFF indicates Freeze Fault detection. LG washers in garages or unheated spaces can trigger FF when inlet water or internal lines approach freezing—the machine locks out fill to prevent ice damage to valves and hoses.
- PFPower interrupted mid-cyclePF is a Power Failure code—not a component fault. The control board lost AC power during a cycle from a tripped breaker, brief outage, or someone unplugging the unit. LG stores enough state to offer resume on some models.
- U5Door lock cannot release after cycleu5 reports Unable to Unlock—the door lock motor energized to release but the latch never reported an open position within the timeout. Water may still be in the tub, which is why LG blocks the door until the fault clears or you drain manually.
- CLChild Lock active—not a mechanical faultCL is Child Lock, not a failure code. LG disables cycle selection and temperature buttons so children cannot start or change a wash. The display may flash CL when any locked button is pressed.