LG top-load washer error codes

LG top-load washer code CL

Control Lock or Child Lock is enabled — LG's own description. It locks the panel to prevent accidental operation, and LG notes it can sometimes be enabled by accident. This is not a fault.

Check whether CL is blinking on the panel, which is what indicates the lock is set.

Clear the lock using the model's own control-lock buttons.

• Control Lock is on: CL blinks on the display and the panel does not respond. LG says CL blinking means the Control Lock function is enabled
• Control Lock was turned on by accident: Nobody set the lock deliberately, which points to control Lock was turned on by accident. LG says Control Lock may sometimes be accidentally enabled
• A model-specific lock button: There is no obvious lock button, which points to a model-specific lock button. LG says enabling and disabling differs by model

Locate the Control Lock button on the control panel.

Press and hold the button for three seconds.

When Control Lock is disabled, the letters CL disappear from the display.

CL.

None.

None.

What does CL mean? Control Lock or Child Lock is on; it locks the panel to prevent accidental operation.

Does it differ by model? Yes; check your manual.

Unplug the washer before you open the panel

Request service if the lock will not release

LG top-load washer code E3

An issue with the operation of the drain motor — LG's own wording. LG notes E3 can also occur if water inside the washer has frozen in cold weather.

Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and try to operate the washer again.

In cold weather, thaw the machine before treating this as a motor fault.

• A one-off drain motor error: E3 appears once, which points to a one-off drain motor error. Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and try again, as LG says
• A drain motor problem: E3 repeats, which points to a drain motor problem. LG says repeated E3 means the drain motor may require inspection
• Frozen water inside the washer: The code appears in cold weather, which points to frozen water inside the washer. LG says frozen water can trigger E3; thaw the tub and drain hose

LG says E3 is displayed when there is an issue with the operation of the drain motor. Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and attempt to operate the washer again.

Remove laundry, scoop out any water, pour warm water (50 to 60 degrees C) into the tub, wait 1 to 2 hours, wrap a warm wet cloth round the drain hose, run a Spin or Spin Only cycle, and test with Rinse (once) + Spin.

If the error persists after resetting, or the issue is not related to freezing, the unit may require a repair.

E3.

Drain motor.

Warm water and towels.

Can freezing cause it? Yes.

How do I thaw the washer? Warm water in the tub for 1 to 2 hours, then a spin-only cycle.

Do not pour boiling water into the tub; use only warm water

Request service if E3 persists after the reset and it is not freezing

LG top-load washer code FE

The washer has detected an overfilled tub — LG's own wording.

Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and operate the washer again.

LG states that if the tub continues filling to overflowing there may be a problem with the water level sensor.

• A water valve stuck open (Sears): The tub keeps filling and overflows, which points to a water valve stuck open (Sears). The Sears table says the washer usually fills continuously because a water valve failed
• A water level sensor problem: The tub keeps filling after a reset, which points to a water level sensor problem. LG says that if the tub continues to fill to overflowing there may be a problem with the water level sensor
• A one-off fill error: FE shows once, which points to a one-off fill error. Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and operate the washer again, as LG says

LG says the FE code indicates an overfilled tub. Unplug the power cord, reconnect it and operate the washer again.

The Sears table says to unplug the washer and shut off the water supply if it fills continuously; the water inlet valve assembly usually needs to be replaced.

If the tub continues to fill to overflowing, LG says there may be a water level sensor problem; request service.

FE.

Water inlet valve assembly.

Towels.

What does FE mean on an LG top-load washer? The washer has detected an overfilled tub.

What if it keeps filling? Turn off the water and request service.

Is FE the same on the front-load washer? Similar; see that page.

Close the water taps and unplug the washer if the tub keeps filling

Request service if the error recurs after a reset, as LG says

LG top-load washer code FF

Freeze Failure — LG's own wording. LG states prolonged cold weather may freeze the inlet or drain hose, and gives a useful distinction: OE or FF suggests the DRAIN hose is frozen, while IE suggests the INLET hose or the taps are frozen.

Establish which hose is frozen from which code appeared.

Thaw the inside of the washer before running anything.

• A frozen drain hose (OE, FF): OE or FF shows in cold weather, which points to a frozen drain hose (OE, FF). LG says OE or FF suggests the drain hose is frozen
• Frozen inlet hoses or taps (IE): IE shows and the drum does not fill, which points to frozen inlet hoses or taps (IE). LG says IE suggests the inlet hose or taps are frozen
• Prolonged cold: The washer sits in an unheated space, which points to prolonged cold. LG says prolonged cold weather may freeze the inlet or drain hose

Remove all laundry, scoop out any water, pour warm water (50 to 60 degrees C) into the tub, close the door, wait 1 to 2 hours, wrap a warm wet cloth round the drain hose, then run a Spin or Spin Only cycle to remove all water and a Rinse (once) + Spin to test.

Separate the inlet hoses, open the taps to test flow, wrap a cloth wet with hot water round a frozen tap for five minutes, thaw the hoses in warm water below 50 degrees C and reconnect them.

If you will not use the washer in winter, remove all remaining water; hold the drain hose downward and make sure it is not bent, since water trapped in a bend can freeze.

FF.

Warm water, towels and a bucket.

What does FF mean? Freeze Failure: prolonged cold weather may freeze the inlet or drain hose.

How long does thawing take? 1 to 2 hours in the tub, then a spin-only test.

When can I use the washer again? LG says the washer thaws gradually once temperatures rise above zero degrees Celsius; wait for the cold to pass.

Can I use boiling water? No.

Do not pour boiling water into the tub; LG warns of a burn risk and says to use warm water

Wait for warmer weather rather than forcing a frozen washer to run

LG top-load washer code OE

A drainage issue — LG's own wording. LG's causes: the outlet hose clogged, pressed or kinked, or frozen. LG notes OE can also follow an incorrectly installed drain hose.

Lift the drain hose out of the drain hole and check whether water runs freely.

Clear the clog or straighten the hose; in winter, treat a frozen drain hose as the likely cause.

• A clogged drain hose: Coins or objects block the hose, which points to a clogged drain hose. Disconnect the drain hose from the washer and use tweezers to remove any foreign objects
• A kinked, bent or too-high drain hose: The hose is pressed or higher than it should be. LG says the hose should be positioned no higher than 6 cm from the ground and gently lowered
• A blocked drain hole: Water drains from the hose when it is lifted out of the drain hole. LG's test: lift the drain hose from the drain hole and run a spin; if water drains, the drain hole is blocked and must be cleaned
• A frozen drain hose: The code appears in winter, which points to a frozen drain hose. Thaw the drain hose and the inside of the washer with warm water

LG says to lift the drain hose from the drain hole, turn on the washer and perform a spin or spin-only cycle. If water drains freely through the hose, the drain hole is blocked and needs cleaning.

Straighten the hose so water flows without interruption, keep it no higher than 6 cm from the ground, and place the washer on a firm, even surface.

Disconnect the drain hose from the washer and remove coins or other objects with tweezers.

Remove the laundry, scoop out any water, pour warm water (50 to 60 degrees C) into the tub, wait 1 to 2 hours, wrap a warm wet cloth round the hose, run a spin-only cycle, and then a Rinse (once) + Spin test.

OE.

None by LG; the drain hose.

Tweezers and towels.

What does OE mean on an LG top-load washer? A drainage issue: the drain hose was installed wrongly, is clogged or kinked, or has frozen.

How high can the drain hose go? No higher than 6 cm from the ground, according to LG.

Is this the same on the front-load washer? No; the front-load washer has a drain pump filter; see the front-load page.

Do not pour boiling water into the tub; LG says to use warm water only because of the burn risk

Contact an LG service center if the code persists

LG top-load washer code PE

The pressure sensor has trouble detecting the water level — LG's own wording.

Consider whether the washer is installed in a humid room; LG names bathroom moisture as a cause of PE.

Unplug the power cord, wait five minutes, reconnect and continue using the washer.

• Moisture from a humid room: The washer stands in a bathroom or damp room. LG says moisture in the air may cause the PE error
• Loose wiring at the water level sensor: The code returns after a reset, which points to loose wiring at the water level sensor. The Sears table says to check the wire harness connections between the water level sensor and the control board
• A failed water level sensor: The wiring is sound, which points to a failed water level sensor. The table says to replace the water level sensor

LG says PE is displayed when the pressure sensor has trouble detecting the water level. If the washer is in a humid room, unplug the power cord and wait five minutes before reconnecting.

The Sears table says to unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the water level sensor and the electronic control board.

If the wire connections are okay, replace the water level sensor.

PE.

Water level sensor; wire harness.

A screwdriver.

What does PE mean? The pressure sensor has trouble detecting the water level.

How long should I unplug the washer? Five minutes.

Is it the same on the front-load washer? Similar; see that page.

Unplug the washer before you check the sensor harness

Request service if PE returns, as LG says

LG top-load washer code PF

Power was cut off — LG is explicit that PF is NOT an error. LG states the washer recalls the last operation before the power cut and continues from there.

Confirm whether household power was interrupted or the washer was unplugged.

Press start/pause to start the washer again.

• A power cut or an unplugged washer: PF shows after an outage or after someone unplugged the washer. LG says PF indicates power was cut off and the washer recalls its last operation
• A tripped breaker: The washer lost power without an outage, which points to a tripped breaker. Check the breaker, and write down the result before moving to the next check
• A normal restart prompt: PF shows and the washer otherwise works, which points to a normal restart prompt. LG says it is not an error, and write down the result before moving to the next check

LG says PF is not an error: power was cut off and the washer will remember the last point of operation and continue from there.

Simply start the washer again by pressing Start/Pause.

If PF repeats with no outage, check the outlet, the plug and the breaker.

PF.

What does PF mean on an LG top-load washer? Power was cut off; the washer will recall its last operation.

How do I continue? Press Start/Pause.

Is PF the same on the front-load washer? On that list PF is a power failure that may need a reset; see that page.

Unplug the washer before you check the cord

Have an electrician check the outlet if PF appears without any outage

LG top-load washer code vS, uS, u5

A contact issue with the vibration sensor, or a sensor malfunction — LG's own wording. LG notes the code can appear as u5 or uS.

Press the Start/Pause button.

If the error persists, press Power to turn the washer off, then restart it.

• A temporary sensor contact issue: vS, uS or u5 appears and clears after a restart. Press Start/Pause; if the error persists, turn the washer off and restart it
• A vibration sensor malfunction: The code returns after the restart, which points to a vibration sensor malfunction. LG says it will require inspection by a technician
• A washer that is off level or carrying a lopsided load: vS shows during the spin while the cabinet rocks or the wet load is bunched to one side. Press down on each top corner to see whether the cabinet rocks, level the feet, redistribute the load and restart

LG says vS(u5, uS) may occur if there is a contact issue with the vibration sensor or it malfunctions. If the error is temporary, press Start/Pause.

If the error persists, press Power to turn the washer off, then restart it.

If these steps do not resolve it, the error requires inspection by a technician.

vS, uS or u5.

Vibration sensor.

What do vS, u5 and uS mean? A contact issue with the vibration sensor or a sensor malfunction; the display can show vS as u5 or uS.

Is it the same as UE? No.

Is a part named? The vibration sensor.

Can an uneven floor cause vS? Yes; a washer that rocks shakes harder in the spin, which is the movement the vibration sensor watches, so levelling the feet is the first free check.

Unplug the washer before you look at any sensor

Request service if the restart steps do not clear the code