On the covered LG top-load washer platform, AE, LE, LE1 means a rotation fault — LG's own wording. LG separates them: AE is displayed when the gears that rotate the drum cannot operate properly, and LE or LE1 appear when the motor is stuck. LG names a coin or foreign object trapped between the wash plate and the drum as a cause of all three. First, look for coins or foreign objects trapped between the wash plate and the drum.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG top-load washer code AE, LE, LE1”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A coin or object trapped between the wash plate and the drum
What separates it The drum will not turn and you hear noise or grinding
How to confirm LG says a trapped object can interfere with the gear or motor and trigger AE, LE or LE1; remove it with tweezers
- 2
A restriction in the drive system
What separates it The basket does not spin freely by hand, which points to a restriction in the drive system
How to confirm The Sears table says to unplug the washer and see whether the basket spins freely; repair the cause of any restriction
- 3
Loose drive motor wiring
What separates it The basket spins freely and the code stays, which points to loose drive motor wiring
How to confirm Check the wiring connections between the drive motor and the control board
- 4
A failed drive motor (thermal overload tripped)
What separates it The wiring is sound and the motor stays dead
How to confirm The table says to check the motor windings: they should measure between 5 and 15 ohms; replace the motor if defective
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: AE, LE or LE1
- Whether you hear a noise or grinding
- Whether the basket turns freely by hand
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleLook for coins or foreign objects trapped between the wash plate and the drum.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRemove the trapped object with tweezers rather than running the machine again.
Look for a trapped object
ReversibleLG says AE appears when the gears that rotate the drum cannot operate, and LE and LE1 may appear when the motor is stuck. If a coin or foreign object is trapped between the wash plate and the drum, it can stop the gear or motor; remove it with tweezers.
Turn the basket by hand
ReversibleThe Sears table says to unplug the washer and see if the basket spins freely; if not, examine and repair the cause of the restriction in the drive system.
Check the wiring and the windings
ReversibleIf the basket spins freely, check the wiring connections between the drive motor and the control board and check the resistance through the drive motor windings: between 5 and 15 ohms is normal.
Replace the motor if it is defective
ReversibleThe table says a failed drive motor or a restriction causes the thermal overload; replace the drive motor if it is defective.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- AE, LE or LE1.
- Meter reading
- 5 to 15 ohms through the drive motor windings (Sears table).
- Parts named by the service table
- Drive motor; drive system components.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you reach between the wash plate and the drum or turn the basket by hand
- !Request service if there is no trapped object but noise continues and the drum rotation is affected, as LG says
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The winding reading is the Sears table's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does AE, LE, LE1 mean on a LG top-load washer?+
a rotation fault — LG's own wording. LG separates them: AE is displayed when the gears that rotate the drum cannot operate properly, and LE or LE1 appear when the motor is stuck. LG names a coin or foreign object trapped between the wash plate and the drum as a cause of all three.
How do I remove a trapped object?+
Use a pair of tweezers to remove coins and objects trapped between the wash plate and drum.
What should the motor windings read?+
Between 5 and 15 ohms, according to the Sears table.
Is AE the same on a front-load washer?+
No; on the front-load list AE is a leak.