LG Washer OE Error Code | How To Fix It

Does your LG washer display the OE error code during a drain cycle? If so you probably also noticed water remaining in the machine drum after the program ended. 

So what is that error code, and does it require a repair call out or is it something you can fix yourself?

In this article, we will uncover what causes the OE warning indicator to appear and how to quickly get it resolved.

What Does An LG Washer OE Error Code Mean?

The OE error code indicates a problem with the washer drainage system, and it appears after 13 minutes of inactivity.

The drainage system involves multiple components including the drain hose, pump filter, and the drain pump itself. 

How To Fix An LG Washer OE Error Code

The good news is that an OE error code is easy to code to diagnose and fix. Even if this DIY project is your first time attempting appliance repair, rest assured it won’t be difficult. All components that could potentially cause the issue are easy enough to reach and inspect, no need for a technician on this job!

1. Start by Resetting the Washer

Resetting your LG washer can be a quick and easy way to clear any errors in the machine’s system, allowing it to end its draining cycle. 

Although this will resolve the OE error long-term, it should bypass having to manually drain the machine later on by helping you continue through a few more cycles without issues. 

However, bear in mind that resetting may only aid with completing its current drain cycle – so don’t expect too much from it!

Resetting an LG washer is a simple task. Here’s what you’ll need to do to reset your washing machine:

1. Your first step is to press the Power button on your LG washer.
2. After you turn off the machine at the button, disconnect it from its power source.
3. Instead of unplugging the appliance, you can also turn the circuit breaker to it off.
4. Once you do either step 2 or step 3, press and hold the Start/Pause button for 5 seconds.
5. Now plug the machine back in or turn the circuit breaker on.
6. Your LG washer will now be reset.

Here’s an excellent video on how to reset your LG washing machine.

[LG Washers] How To Reset An LG Washer

2. Clean the Pump Filter on the Front-Loader Washers

LG recommends that you clean the pump filter on your front-loading washer once a month. This prevents the buildup of lint and other debris that can various problems. It’s important to make sure that the machine is fully drained before you start cleaning the drain pump filter.

To access to the filter, locate the small access panel at the bottom of your washing machine at the front. Here you will find both the drain hose and filter; have a shallow pan ready underneath that door as water may leak out during cleaning. 

To clean the drain pump filter follow these simple steps::

1. Pull the plug out of the drain hose and place the tube inside the pan.
2. Let it drain until the water completely stops coming out of the hose.
3. Avoid pulling on the hose too hard as that may cause it to become kinked and twisted, thus negatively affecting the draining process.
4. After water stops coming out of the hose, you should put it back in its original place.
5. Turn the filter counterclockwise and remove it from the machine.
6. Remove any big pieces of lint and debris that you can with your fingers.
7. Clean the filter thoroughly with running water before putting it back in the machine.
8. Put the access panel back and close it.

Here’s the official LG video demonstrating how to can clean the drain pump filter.

LG Washer - Cleaning the Drain Pump Filter (2018 Update)

3. Check the Drain Hose Is Clear

The function of the drain hose is to allow the wastewater from inside the washer drum to drain out down into the wastewater line. Any damage, kink, or looping of the drain hose can lead to restricted water flow indicating to your washing machine that there is a drainage problem, and triggering the OE error code.

Inspecting the drain hose is one of the first areas to inspect, as there’s a high probability that it is responsible. Here’s how you can do that.

1. The first step is to disconnect your washer from its power source.
2. Pull the machine away from the wall so that you have enough room to stand behind it.
3. You will see the drain hose on the back of the appliance. It is essentially a big flexible pipe.
4. You will notice that the hose is secured by a clamp. You’ll need to remove the clamp in order to take the hose out of the machine.
5. Thoroughly check the hose to see whether it is damaged or worn.
6. If you see any cracks, you will need to replace the hose immediately.
7. It’s also important to check that the hose is not twisted or kinked in any spot.
8. Finally, you should inspect the inside of the hose to see if there is a debris buildup. In case there is, use a drain snake to clean the hose.
9. If there are no signs of restricted water flow replace the washer, being careful not to crush or kink the hose.

4. Run a Test on the Drain Pump

If you’re receiving the OE error message on your LG washer, there’s a chance that the drain pump located behind the drain filter has stopped working. The pump will need to be tested for electrical continuity to check it is still functional. 

Remove the drain hose, following the step I set out in the previous process ‘3. Check The Drain Hose Is Clear’. Then proceed to carry out this next process:

1. Now remove the front panel on your washing machine by unscrewing the screws that secure it.
2. You will now see the drain pump, located right behind where the small front access panel.
3. There are three drain tubes connected to the pump. You will have to use pliers to remove these tubes.
4. After removing the tubes, you will be able to take the pump out of the washer.

Once the pump is taken out, you will see two wires still connected to it. Detach these wires from the component and pick up your multimeter which must be set on its lowest ohm setting. Connect its leads to the pump’s terminals for a continuity reading. If everything runs smoothly, you will see 5-10 ohms as an output. Any other reading will indicate the pump has failed and that it’s time to order a replacement pump.

5. Replacing a Faulty Drain Pump

If you were able to test the drain pump for continuity by following the instructions above, replacing this pump will be easy. 

1. Take the new pump, place it in the pump cover, and attach it to the drain joint. 
2. You will now have to secure the pump to the frame using the three screws provided.
3. Attach the mounting plate that was on the original drain pump and secure it with four screws. 
4. Reattach all three drain tubes to the pump and start piecing together the remaining other components
5. Snugly hold down its front panel, making sure that it slips into each of its three sockets at the bottom before fixing it with the screws you earlier unscrewed. 
6. The last step is reinstalling both the small access panel door as well as fitting in your hose and filter for good measure!

I strongly recommend you watch the tutorial video below that gives a great visual guide to replacing the drain pump on an LG washer.

LG Washer OE Error Code - LG Washer Not Draining Fix - LG Washer Drain Pump Replacement Tutorial

Verdict: Fixing an LG Washer That Won’t Drain

As we found, the LG washer OE error code implies a problem with the drainage. 

You can temporarily restore your machine by resetting it; once it completes draining, however, inspect each component of the drainage system prior to beginning another wash cycle. 

This requires you to examine the drain pumps, filters, and hoses so that you are able to identify the cause of the error and resolved it. 

You may also like to check out Using LG Tub Clean Cycle: A Complete

FAQs LG Washer OE Error Code

How do I reset the OE code on my LG washer?

To reset the OE error code on your LG washer, simply press and hold down the Power button then unplug it from its power source. Following that, keep pressing the Start/Pause button for five seconds until you hear a beep sound. Once complete, plug your appliance back into a power outlet and it should now have been successfully reset!

Citation

LG – Cleaning The Drain Pump Filter