On the covered LG dryer platform, tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5, tE6 means a problem was detected with the dryer's thermistor — LG's own wording. LG documents tE1 through tE6 as the same thermistor condition. First, stop the cycle and let the dryer cool.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG dryer code tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5, tE6”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A thermistor fault detected by the dryer
What separates it tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5 or tE6 appears and the dryer stops
How to confirm LG says a tE error code indicates a problem was detected with the dryer's thermistor
- 2
A temporary reading that a reset clears
What separates it The code appears once, which points to a temporary reading that a reset clears
How to confirm Unplug the dryer or trip the breaker, hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds with the power off, restore power and run another cycle
- 3
A loose connector between the thermistor and the control board
What separates it The code returns on every load even after the reset and the dryer heats not at all or unevenly
How to confirm Only a technician should check the connector; note that the code repeats on every cycle and give that to them
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5 or tE6
- Whether the code returns after the reset
- Note whether the dryer vents freely before you start troubleshooting
Try in this order
0 of 12 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleStop the cycle and let the dryer cool.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleUnplug the dryer or trip its breaker, hold START/PAUSE for 5 seconds while it has no power, then restore power and run a cycle — LG's own reset for this code.
Cut the power
ReversibleUnplug the dryer, or trip the circuit breaker supplying power to the dryer.
Hold Start/Pause
ReversibleWhile the dryer remains without power, press and hold the Start/Pause button for 5 seconds.
Restore power and run a cycle
ReversibleRestore power to the dryer and attempt to run another cycle; if the tE code occurs again after resetting, the unit may require a repair service.
Check the vent first
ReversibleA blocked vent makes the dryer overheat and can set off temperature codes. Clear the lint filter and the duct before you test again.
Unplug and rerun
ReversibleUnplug the dryer for five minutes and run a short cycle to see whether TE1 returns.
Let a technician test the thermistor
ReversibleIf TE1 returns on a clean vent, the thermistor or its wiring needs testing.
Clean the lint screen and the duct before anything else
ReversibleLG groups tE1 to tE6 as one thermistor condition, but a vent that is clogged makes the dryer run hotter than the thermistor expects. Clear the lint screen, the housing and the exhaust duct and run a timed cycle.
Compare the reading when the dryer is cold
ReversibleAfter the dryer has sat unplugged for an hour, a technician can read the thermistor at room temperature and compare it with LG's table. A reading that is far out confirms the thermistor and settles the cause.
Check the dryer's age and the sensor's access
ReversibleOn older LG dryers the thermistor sits in the exhaust path behind a panel at the back or the bottom. Knowing where it is before you start saves you time, and the service manual for your model shows the exact place.
Describe the pattern to LG
ReversibleIf you phone LG, say whether the dryer stops partway or refuses to start, and whether the code changes between tE1 and tE6. LG lists them together, but the pattern helps the agent choose between a thermistor and a board.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5 or tE6.
- Parts named
- Thermistor.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Request service if the tE code returns after the reset, as LG says
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. LG lists tE1 to tE6 together; tE2 has extra guidance and its own page.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5, tE6 mean on a LG dryer?+
a problem was detected with the dryer's thermistor — LG's own wording. LG documents tE1 through tE6 as the same thermistor condition.
How long do I hold Start/Pause?+
5 seconds, with the dryer unpowered.
Should I open the dryer to look at the thermistor?+
No; the panels carry mains power and LG's own step is a reset followed by service, so leave the cabinet closed.
Can a blocked vent cause TE1?+
Yes, by overheating the dryer.
Is it safe to keep using a dryer with TE1?+
Not if it overheats; stop and have it checked.
Which of tE1 to tE6 do I have?+
The display shows the exact code, and LG documents them as the same thermistor condition, so the same first steps apply to each.
Is it dangerous to ignore a tE code?+
A dryer that cannot read its own temperature may overheat, so avoid running it until the code is resolved.
Can I replace the thermistor myself?+
It is a plug-in sensor on many LG dryers, but it sits behind a panel, so unplug the dryer and use the service manual for your model.
Why does the dryer stop partway through?+
The control stops the cycle when the reading is out of range, which can happen even if the thermistor works after the dryer cools.
Why does the code show different digits?+
LG's list shows tE1, tE3, tE4, tE5 and tE6 as the same thermistor condition, so the digit does not change the first steps.
Is the code ever a vent problem?+
A clogged vent makes the dryer hotter than the thermistor expects and can trigger the code, so clean the vent first.
Does LG say to request service?+
Yes, LG states that if the code returns after its own troubleshooting, the unit requires repair service.
Can I keep using the dryer?+
Not until the code is resolved, since the dryer cannot read its own temperature.