LG washer error codes: full list and what each one means

By Daniel Brooks, Home maintenance writer and appliance troubleshooting specialist based in Charlotte, NC. Reviewed [date — human adds].

Quick answer

LG washer codes display as two letters on the control panel, most often UE, OE, or IE, and each one points to a specific problem: an unbalanced load, a drain issue, a water-supply issue, and so on. Find your code in the table below for what it means, then follow the link to the full fix.

How to find your code

The code shows up on the LED or LCD display, sometimes flashing rather than solid. Exactly how it's shown varies a little by model generation: older top-load LG washers and newer front-load models don't always format the display the same way, and a small number of codes exist only on certain lines. If a code shown on your machine isn't in the table below, check the owner's manual for your exact model before assuming it's not a real code. And if it's actually your dryer showing the code, not the washer, you'll want troubleshooting an LG dryer code instead.

Full LG washer error code table

Code	What it means	Common causes
UE	Unbalanced load	Uneven weight distribution, a single heavy item, worn suspension
OE	Drain error	Clogged drain filter or pump, a kinked or clogged drain hose
IE	Water inlet / fill error	Supply valve not fully open, kinked inlet hose, clogged inlet filter
LE	Locked motor error	Overloading, a foreign object in the drum, a drive component fault
CL	Child lock engaged (not a fault)	Control lock activated, usually by accident
DE	Door error	Door or lid not detected as closed, a seal obstruction, latch misalignment
FE	Overfilling error, most often linked to a water inlet valve that isn't shutting off properly	To be confirmed against your model's manual, LG's documentation ties this to the fill system rather than the drain or drum
SUD	Excess suds detected	Wrong detergent or too much of it

LE, CL, DE, and FE don't have a dedicated walkthrough page on this site yet. If one of those is what you're seeing, check your owner's manual for now, and note that CL usually isn't a malfunction at all, just the control lock switched on.

A word on codes shared with other brands: LG and Samsung both use the letters UE, but they mean different things on each brand's washers. LG's UE is an unbalanced-load code. If you own a Samsung machine, don't assume the same fix applies, check Samsung's own washer codes instead.

Before you call for service, a few things worth trying first

A handful of basics apply no matter which code is showing. Unplug the washer for about 60 seconds and restart it, this clears a surprising number of transient sensor faults on its own. Confirm the door or lid is fully closed and latched. And make sure the machine hasn't been switched into a demo mode or a child-lock mode, either of which can make it behave like something's broken when nothing actually is.

When any LG washer error code means you need a technician

Most codes clear with the basic check listed on that code's own page. Call a technician if the same code comes right back after a full power cycle and the relevant basic check, if the code shows up along with a burning smell, a visible water leak, or the machine losing power entirely, or if the display shows something not listed here and not in your manual either.

Photos for this guide

LG washer control panel display showing an error code. — Real photo of an LG washer control panel or display showing an error code (any code works for this hub image, it doesn't need to match a specific spoke page).

FAQ

Why does my LG washer show a code that isn't in this list?

LG uses different code sets across model generations and washer types, top-load versus front-load, so a small number of less common codes exist outside the main list. Check your owner's manual first. The exact model number determines the full code set, and LG's support site has a model-specific lookup if the manual isn't handy.

Can I keep using my LG washer if it's showing an error code?

It depends on the code. One tied to something minor, like an unbalanced load, usually clears once you fix the cause and doesn't damage the machine if you wait. A code tied to a drain, fill, or door fault can leave the cycle incomplete or water sitting in the tub, so it's worth resolving before running another load.

Do LG washer error codes mean the same thing on every model?

Mostly, but not always. The core codes, UE, OE, IE, and a handful of others, are consistent across most modern LG washers. A few less common codes vary between older and newer models, or between top-load and front-load lines. If a code's fix doesn't match what you're seeing, check the manual for your specific machine.

What's the fastest way to clear a stuck LG washer error code?

Unplug the washer for about 60 seconds, then plug it back in and restart the cycle. That clears a meaningful share of transient sensor errors without needing any repair. If the same code returns immediately, move on to the specific troubleshooting steps for that code instead of repeating the power cycle.