On the covered LG washer platform, OE, E03, E21 means the washing machine is unable to drain the water used during the wash cycle — LG's own wording. LG names two causes: a kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter. First, check behind the washer that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, then run a spin cycle to confirm.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG washer code OE, E03, E21”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A kinked or clogged drain hose
What separates it The tub still holds water when the washer stops and the hose behind the washer is bent or squashed
How to confirm Check behind the washer; LG says to make sure the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, then run a spin cycle to confirm the code has cleared
- 2
A clogged drain pump filter
What separates it The pump hums but water leaves slowly or not at all
How to confirm Clean the drain pump filter behind the small access door at the bottom front; LG says a clogged filter is one of the two named causes
- 3
A drain pump that does not run
What separates it There is no humming sound during a spin-only test
How to confirm LG's test: press Power, press Spin Speed until High is selected, press Start/Pause for a spin-only cycle and listen for the pump humming for the first 15 seconds
- 4
Excess suds that leave air in the pump
What separates it The filter is clear and the load was washed with more detergent than the maker advises
How to confirm LG says the pump can suck air instead of water when there are too many suds; run a Tub Clean cycle and use less detergent
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: OE, E03 or E21
- Whether the tub still holds water when the washer stops
- Whether you hear the drain pump hum during a spin-only test
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck behind the washer that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, then run a spin cycle to confirm.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleIf the hose is clear, run a SPIN ONLY cycle at HIGH spin speed and listen for the drain pump humming in the first 15 seconds; if there is no hum, clean the drain pump filter.
Straighten the drain hose and spin
ReversibleLG says an OE error means the washer is unable to drain the water used in the wash. Check behind the washer that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, clear any clog, and then run a spin cycle to confirm the code has gone.
Test the drain pump
ReversibleIf the hose is clear, run a spin-only cycle: press Power, press Spin Speed until High is selected, press Start/Pause, and listen for a humming sound in the first 15 seconds, which shows the pump motor has started.
Clean the drain pump filter
ReversibleIf you hear the hum, the motor is working and the filter is the next suspect. Drain the residual water using the drain tube, keep the tube out of the unit, take out the filter, clean it, and screw the cap back on tightly.
Run a Tub Clean cycle
ReversibleIf you cleared debris, run a Tub Clean cycle; if the filter was clear, suds may have caused the error, so run Tub Clean and reduce the detergent. The Sears table adds that if the pump does not run when activated, the pump or the wire harness between the pump and the control board is replaced.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- OE, E03 or E21.
- Parts named by the service table
- Drain pump; wire harness between the pump and the control board.
- Tools
- A shallow pan and towels for the filter, and a flat screwdriver for the access cover.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer and drain the tub through the small drain tube before you open the pump filter, because water will run out and the pump is at line voltage
- !Do not run the washer with the drain pump filter cap left off
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 15 second humming test is LG's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does OE, E03, E21 mean on a LG washer?+
the washing machine is unable to drain the water used during the wash cycle — LG's own wording. LG names two causes: a kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter.
How do I test the drain pump?+
Run a spin-only cycle at High spin and listen for humming during the first 15 seconds; humming means the pump motor started.
Where is the drain pump filter?+
Behind a small access cover at the lower front of the washer; LG says to drain residual water first and screw the cap back on securely.
Can suds cause OE?+
Yes; excessive suds create air pockets the pump cannot clear, so run a Tub Clean cycle and use less detergent.
When does OE need service?+
If it appears again after these checks, LG says the unit may require a repair; the Sears table names the drain pump and its wire harness.
Is this the same on an LG top-load washer?+
OE is on the top-load list too, but the top-load washer has a different drain path; use the top-load page.