LG · Washing machine · independent service

LG washer repair and error codes

RepairWell repairs LG front-load, top-load and WashTower washers in Ottawa and Gatineau. We are an independent service, not an LG authorized servicer, so work that must be done under LG's own warranty should go through LG Canada. For everything else, the diagnostic is $89, waived when you go ahead with the repair, and you get a written finding and a quote before any work starts.

LG washers are built around the Inverter DirectDrive motor, which LG Canada describes as connected directly to the drum rather than driven by a belt, and which LG backs with a 10-year warranty on the motor only. On front-load models and washer-dryer combos, LG fits a drain pump filter behind an access panel at the lower front; LG's top-load washers do not have one. Both facts change where a drain or spin fault is looked for, and the code on the display tells us where to start.

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RepairWell is an independent repair service and is not affiliated with or authorized by LG.

LG washing machine error codes

The codes below come from LG's own error code list, which covers LG front-load, top-load, pedestal (SideKick), WashTower and washer-dryer combo models. LG publishes it on its U.S. support site; we found no separate Canadian list that we could read. Codes and their meanings vary by model and generation, and LG's list itself gives two meanings for CE depending on the washer. Before acting on a code, check the owner's manual for your model number. If your manual says something different, the manual wins.

Some displays are not faults: CL means the child lock is on, Cd means cool down on combo models, dR means the washer timed out and is draining itself, and tCL is a reminder to run Tub Clean.

Code	What LG says it means	Checks LG lists for owners	When to book	Source
OE	The washer cannot drain the water, or is draining slowly.	Check that the drain hose is not kinked, pinched, clogged or frozen, and straighten it if it is. LG notes the drain outlet should be no more than 53 in (about 135 cm) above the floor. Front-load and combo models: clean the drain pump filter behind the lower front access panel, following LG's filter-cleaning steps. Drain the residual water into a shallow pan first and let hot water cool.	Book if OE returns after the hose is clear and the filter is clean, or if water stays in the drum.	LG USA Support
IE	The water supply is inadequate: water is not reaching the washer, or the pressure is too low.	Make sure both water taps are fully open. Check that the inlet hoses are not kinked, pinched or crushed. LG gives the recommended supply pressure as 14.5 to 80 psi (100 to 552 kPa); try another tap in the house to see whether pressure is low everywhere. LG also describes turning the water off, removing the inlet hoses and cleaning the small inlet filters. If you are not comfortable reconnecting hoses, leave this for the visit.	Book if the taps are open, the hoses are clear and house pressure is normal but IE keeps appearing.	LG USA Support
UE / uE / Ub	The load is unbalanced. A small uE shows while the washer tries to rebalance on its own; UE with a paused cycle means it could not.	Rearrange the items in the drum and restart the cycle. For a very small load, add one or two similar items. Wash single bulky items such as comforters so they spread evenly, and avoid mixing very heavy and very light items.	Book if UE appears on normal, well-mixed loads or the washer shakes hard even when it does spin.	LG USA Support
dE / dE1 / dE2	The washer cannot lock its door. dE1 means the door is open and not locked; dE2 means it is closed but did not lock.	Close the door firmly and make sure no sleeves or fabric are caught between the door, glass and gasket. Unplug the washer for 10 seconds (or switch off the breaker), plug it back in and restart the cycle. LG advises not to pack the drum tightly and not to lean on the open door, which can pull it out of alignment.	Book if the code persists after a reset; LG's own advice at that point is to close the water tap, unplug the washer and have it serviced.	LG USA Support
dL	The door latch switch is not working properly.	Remove anything caught in the door. Unplug the washer for 10 seconds, plug it back in and try the cycle again.	Book if dL returns; LG lists a failed door switch or damaged latch as other possible causes.	LG USA Support
LE	The motor is overloaded and locked.	Let the washer rest for 30 minutes to cool down, then restart the cycle. Check that the drum is not overpacked.	Book if LE comes back after a 30-minute rest, or if the drum is hard to turn by hand with the washer unplugged.	LG USA Support
CE	LG's list gives two descriptions depending on the washer: an over-current in the motor's electrical circuit, or the drum not reaching 20 RPM within 3 minutes or 6 attempts.	Unplug the washer for 10 seconds, plug it back in and try a cycle.	Book if CE persists; LG says the washer should be left unplugged with the tap closed until it is repaired.	LG USA Support
FE	The washer is overfilling. LG says this is usually caused by the water inlet valve, and the washer may fill even while switched off.	Close both water taps. Drain the washer using a no-spin or spin-only setting, then restart the cycle.	Book as soon as FE returns, and keep the taps closed between loads until then.	LG USA Support
PE	There is a problem with the water level sensor.	Unplug the washer for 10 seconds, plug it back in and restart the cycle.	Book if PE persists; LG says this needs a technician.	LG USA Support
tE	A heating or thermistor (temperature sensor) error.	Unplug the washer for 10 seconds, plug it back in, drain it on a no-spin setting and restart the cycle.	Book if tE returns after one reset; LG says to close the taps and unplug the washer until it is serviced.	LG USA Support
FF	The washer is frozen.	Check the inlet and drain hoses and the drain filter for ice. LG suggests putting warm water into the drum to thaw the drain hose and pump, and wrapping the supply hoses in a warm, wet towel.	Book if the washer leaks or still shows errors once it has thawed; ice can crack hoses and fittings.	LG USA Support
PF	Power failure: the power was interrupted during a cycle.	Restart the cycle. If PF stays, unplug the washer or switch off its breaker, press and hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds, restore power and try again.	Book if PF appears without any power interruption in the house.	LG USA Support
sUd / SUD	Too many suds were detected. The washer adds a suds-reducing cycle, which LG says adds about two hours, and may stop during spin to prevent leaking.	Use no more than the detergent maker's recommended amount, and reduce it until the suds stop.	Book only if leaks or other codes continue after the detergent amount has been corrected.	LG USA Support
E7 (pedestal)	On the SideKick pedestal washer, the stacking switch is not working or the pedestal is not installed correctly under an LG front-load washer or dryer.	Check that the front-load unit is lined up on the pedestal and the stacking switch is seated. LG says the pedestal will not run on its own or under a non-LG appliance.	Book if the units are aligned and E7 remains.	LG USA Support

A code tells you what the control board measured, not which part failed. Tell us the code when you book; it shortens the diagnosis. How to read any error code →

Symptom guides for LG washing machines

Finding the model and serial number

LG's support page gives these locations. Front-load washer: a silver label on the front panel behind the door; open the door and look on the panel around the drum opening, usually at the top. Top-load washer: a silver label on the back toward the top (the washer has to be pulled out), under the lid toward the bottom right, or on some models on the left side panel at the top right corner.

Send us the full model number from the label, not the marketing name. Error code meanings and parts both depend on it.

General guide to model labels →

What's specific to LG washing machines

Inverter DirectDrive motor. LG Canada describes the DD motor as connected directly to the drum instead of through belts, with fewer parts, and states a 10-year warranty on the Direct Drive motor only. Because there is no belt, a spin or drum-rotation fault is traced through the motor, its sensors and the control board. A motor claim inside that warranty goes through LG.
Vibration control. LG lists springs, friction dampers, balance weights and vibration sensors as the parts that work with the DD motor to limit noise and vibration, so persistent shaking after the load and levelling are right points to those parts rather than the motor itself.
Drain pump filter on front-loaders only. LG says the drain pump filter is present only on front-load washers and combo units, not on top-loaders. It sits behind an access panel at the lower front, usually on the left (some models on the right), with a small residual-water hose beside it. LG recommends cleaning it monthly and checking it when the washer drains slowly or shows OE.
Drain height and pressure limits. LG gives a maximum drain height of 53 in (about 135 cm) and a recommended supply pressure of 14.5 to 80 psi. A new install that breaks either limit can throw OE or IE without anything having failed.
Status messages that are not faults. LG lists CL (child lock), Cd (cool down), dR (automatic drain after the washer sits idle) and tCL (Tub Clean reminder) as information, not errors.

Recalls and notices

The Government of Canada recalls database lists one LG washing-machine recall: LG Top-Loading Washing Machines (2 models), RA-16351, December 18, 2012 (now archived). LG Canada's announcements page carries the same notice. It covers two LG top-loading washer models, WT5001CW and WT5101HV, made between April 2010 and November 2011 (about 10,000 units in Canada). LG described the hazard as an unbalanced load causing excessive shaking and the drum coming loose, and offered a free in-home repair. If you own one of those models, check the serial number range on LG's notice and contact LG directly. We found no other Government of Canada recall of LG washers when this page was reviewed in September 2026. The recall does not apply to other LG washers.

When to book

Book when a code comes back after the checks LG lists for it, when LG's own advice for the code is to request service (CE, PE, tE, FE, dL), or straight away if the washer is leaking or you smell burning. Tell us the code exactly as displayed, whether the washer is front-load, top-load, pedestal or WashTower, and the model number. The diagnostic is $89, waived if you go ahead with the repair, and the finding and quote are written before any work. If the washer is still inside LG's warranty, or the DirectDrive motor is inside its 10-year motor coverage, contact LG Canada first; we can give an independent finding if you want one.

The visit: $89 diagnostic with a written finding, waived when you go ahead with the repair. Washing machine repair → · All LG appliances →

LG washing machine questions

My LG washer shows OE but the hose looks fine. What next?

On a front-load or combo model, LG's next step is the drain pump filter behind the lower front panel. Drain the small residual hose into a shallow pan first, and let the water cool if the last cycle was hot. On a top-load LG there is no pump filter, so if the hose is clear and not higher than 53 in (about 135 cm), book a diagnostic.

Does my LG washer have a belt?

Not if it has LG's Inverter DirectDrive motor, which LG says is connected to the drum without belts. That is why an LG spin fault is traced through the motor, its sensors and the control board rather than a belt.

LG says the DirectDrive motor has a 10-year warranty. Does that cover the whole repair?

LG Canada states the 10-year warranty is on the Direct Drive motor only. Other parts and labour follow the washer's standard warranty terms. Motor claims go through LG, not through us.

Is CE a motor fault?

LG's list gives CE two meanings: an over-current in the motor circuit, or the drum not reaching speed. Either way LG's advice is one power reset, then service if it returns. Tell us the model number so we look up the right one.

My washer shows tCL. Is something wrong?

No. LG describes tCL as a reminder to run the Tub Clean cycle. You can run it or choose another cycle; the message may appear for a few cycles.

Are you an LG authorized service centre?

No. RepairWell is independent and is not authorized by LG. We diagnose and repair out-of-warranty LG washers and give second opinions; in-warranty work should go through LG Canada.

Other brand guides for this appliance

Sources

Sources checked 2026-09-24.

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