LG · Washing Machine
LG Washing Machine HE Error Code
Heater circuit not heating water
What this error means
HE 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.
How HE is detected
LG washing machine models lock the door or lid before energizing fill, heat, or high-speed spin. HE means the latch switch never sent a "locked" signal to the main control, or the lock motor did not complete its travel. On LG WM9500HKA, LG WM9000HVA, and similar variants, clothing caught in the gasket, a misaligned strike, or a failed latch assembly are the most common mechanical causes—not the board itself.
Inspect the door gasket perimeter and strike alignment before replacing the latch. Household water heater below 120°F delivering lukewarm fill water is reported frequently on this code. After correcting mechanical issues, run the kitchen tap until hot before starting a warm or sanitize cycle. If the latch clicks but HE persists, the door lock switch or wiring harness to the control board likely needs testing with a multimeter.
Do not force the door open during an active cycle; wait for the lock to release when the board de-energizes the lock motor—usually two to three minutes after canceling power on most LG units.
Common causes
- Household water heater below 120°F delivering lukewarm fill water
- Open heating element or burned terminal at the tub heater
- Tripped thermal fuse on the heater assembly
- Thermistor giving false cold readings to the board
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Run the kitchen tap until hot before starting a warm or sanitize cycle
- 2Verify the water heater thermostat is set to at least 120°F
- 3Unplug and inspect heater terminals under the tub for corrosion or burn marks
- 4Retry on a warm cycle after confirming hot water at the wall valves
When to call a technician
Element and thermal fuse testing requires accessing the tub heater from the rear or bottom—schedule service if water stays cold through a warm cycle.
Affected models
- LG WM9500HKA
- LG WM9000HVA
- LG WM8100HVA
Prevention & maintenance
- Wipe the door gasket weekly and avoid overloading items against the seal—HE often starts as a slow leak or latch misalignment.
- Record when HE appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your LG washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for HE; LG uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting HE; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.