On the covered LG top-load washer platform, tE means a problem with the temperature sensor inside the tub — LG's own wording, including contact issues or a malfunctioning sensor. LG also names excessively hot water poured directly into the tub, and a disconnected connector or broken circuit. First, consider whether hot water was poured directly into the tub.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG top-load washer code tE”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Very hot water poured into the tub
What separates it You added hot water by hand before the code
How to confirm LG says excessively hot water poured directly into the tub can trigger tE; disconnect power and let the water cool
- 2
A contact problem or a malfunctioning temperature sensor
What separates it The code appears without hot water added, which points to a contact problem or a malfunctioning temperature sensor
How to confirm LG names a contact issue or malfunctioning sensor inside the tub
- 3
A disconnected connector or a break in the circuit
What separates it The wiring was disturbed, which points to a disconnected connector or a break in the circuit
How to confirm Unplug the washer and check the wiring between the control board and the thermistor
- 4
A failed thermistor
What separates it The wiring is sound, which points to a failed thermistor
How to confirm The Sears table says the thermistor should read between 80,000 and 90,000 ohms at room temperature
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: tE
- Whether hot water was poured into the tub
- Whether tE returns after the water cools
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleConsider whether hot water was poured directly into the tub.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleIf hot water was poured in, disconnect the power cord and wait before reconnecting.
Let hot water cool
ReversibleIf you poured hot water into the tub, disconnect the power cord, wait for the water to cool, and plug the cord back in.
Check the wiring
ReversibleThe Sears table says to unplug the washer and check the wiring between the control board and the thermistor (temperature sensor).
Measure the thermistor
ReversibleIf the wiring is sound, measure the thermistor: it should read between 80,000 and 90,000 ohms at room temperature. Replace it if defective; if the resistance is normal through the circuit, replace the main electronic control board.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- tE.
- Meter reading
- 80,000 to 90,000 ohms across the thermistor at room temperature (Sears table).
- Parts named by the service table
- Thermistor; main electronic control board.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you check the thermistor wiring
- !Request a technician inspection if tE persists, as LG says
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 80,000 to 90,000 ohm reading is the Sears table's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does tE mean on a LG top-load washer?+
a problem with the temperature sensor inside the tub — LG's own wording, including contact issues or a malfunctioning sensor. LG also names excessively hot water poured directly into the tub, and a disconnected connector or broken circuit.
What resistance should the thermistor read?+
80,000 to 90,000 ohms at room temperature.
Is tE the same on the front-load washer?+
No; there it is a heating error with a different thermistor reading.
Which parts are named?+
The thermistor and the main electronic control board.