On the covered LG dryer platform, tE4, tE5, tE6 means a thermistor on the dryer reads out of range; on LG's steam and heat-pump dryers tE4 is the steam generator thermistor and tE5 and tE6 are the compressor inlet and outlet thermistors. First, stop the cycle and let the dryer cool.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG dryer code tE4, tE5, tE6”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A steam generator thermistor reads out of range
What separates it tE4 on a steam model
How to confirm Check the plug and measure the thermistor
- 2
A compressor inlet thermistor reads out of range
What separates it tE5 on a heat-pump or hybrid dryer
How to confirm Measure about 10,000 ohms at room temperature
- 3
A compressor outlet thermistor reads out of range
What separates it tE6 on a heat-pump or hybrid dryer
How to confirm Measure about 10,000 ohms at room temperature
- 4
A loose thermistor plug after a service visit
What separates it tE5 or tE6 after the front or base was removed
How to confirm A thermistor plug that did not seat reads as an open circuit
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which of tE4, tE5 or tE6 shows
- Whether the dryer has steam or a heat pump
- Whether the dryer was cooling after a cycle
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleStop the cycle and let the dryer cool.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleCheck the thermistor plug for a loose connection and measure the thermistor against its resistance chart (about 10,000 ohms at room temperature for the compressor thermistors); replace the thermistor, the harness or the main control as the test shows.
Let the dryer cool
ReversibleStop the cycle and let it cool.
Reset the power
ReversibleUnplug the dryer or trip its breaker, hold Start/Pause for five seconds, then restore power.
Test the thermistor
ReversibleA technician checks the plug and measures the thermistor against its chart.
Find the right thermistor
ReversibleOn LG steam and heat-pump dryers the steam generator, the compressor inlet and the compressor outlet each have their own thermistor, so the number tells the technician where to look.
Measure against the chart
ReversibleThe compressor thermistors read about 10,000 ohms at room temperature and the steam generator thermistor about 50,000 ohms. A reading far off means replace the thermistor.
Look at the wiring near the compressor
ReversibleOn heat-pump dryers the compressor thermistor leads run close to hot lines. A technician checks that the insulation is intact and the plugs are seated before measuring.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Shown as
- tE4, tE5 or tE6.
- Part named
- Thermistor.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not run the dryer if it overheats
- !Book LG service if the code returns after the reset
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does tE4, tE5, tE6 mean on a LG dryer?+
a thermistor on the dryer reads out of range; on LG's steam and heat-pump dryers tE4 is the steam generator thermistor and tE5 and tE6 are the compressor inlet and outlet thermistors.
Which thermistor is it?+
On LG's steam and heat-pump dryers tE4 is the steam generator and tE5 and tE6 are the compressor inlet and outlet.
Do tE4, tE5 and tE6 appear on every LG dryer?+
LG documents tE1 through tE6 as the same thermistor condition, and which thermistor is named depends on the dryer's design.
What does the five-second Start hold do?+
LG's reset has you unplug the dryer or trip the breaker, hold Start/Pause for five seconds while it has no power, and then restore power.
Do I need to open the dryer to find the thermistor?+
The thermistors sit inside the cabinet or near the compressor, so a technician opens the dryer.
Does tE5 or tE6 stop the dryer from heating?+
The control may stop or limit heating when it cannot read the compressor thermistors, to avoid running without a temperature reading.