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tE on an LG washer is a heating error. That's LG's own wording on their support page, and it's about as specific as the code gets. Sometimes a part has burned out. Just as often a plug behind the tub has wiggled loose, and that one is a quick fix.
What the tE code means
LG front-loaders heat their own water. Down under the drum there's a heating element, and clipped right beside it is a little thermistor, which is just a temperature sensor on a wire. When you pick a warm or hot cycle, the board switches the heater on and keeps an eye on that sensor.
It expects the number to climb at a certain rate. No climb, or a reading that's way off, and the board gives up and throws tE. So all the code really tells you is that the heating loop flunked its test. Which part flunked, it doesn't say.
What you'll notice
Some washers just stop with tE blinking. Others drag a normal wash out to two hours first, then quit. You might also open the door on a hot cycle and find the clothes cold.
Don't read too much into a long wash by itself though. Heavy loads do that too. Go by the code.
Try the reset LG recommends
It's free, so do it before you call anyone. Here's LG's sequence.
- Unplug the washer for about 10 seconds.
- Plug it back in and press Power.
- Choose No Spin, press Start and let it drain.
- When it's empty, start a fresh cycle.
Code back on the next warm wash? Then it's a real fault. Cold washes will tide you over for a few days. They won't fix it.
What usually causes it
Our technician looks at the wiring before touching any part. Those tiny connectors live low on the tub, right where a front-loader shakes hardest during spin. After a few years a pin backs out or a wire snaps at the plug. Cheapest fix there is, and we find it a lot.
Then the thermistor. It costs very little and checking it takes one meter reading against the chart for your model.
The heater is a bigger deal. Water around here is moderately hard, and scale builds up on the element until it shorts or just opens up. One giveaway for a shorted heater is a tripped breaker or a GFCI outlet that won't stay on.
The control board comes last. Boards do die, but swapping one before testing the cheap stuff is the classic way to pay twice.
How the technician tests it
With the power off, the front lower panel comes out on most LG front-loaders, and that's where the heater and the thermistor plug into the tub. First comes a look at the connectors. Green crust on a pin or a wire that pulls out with a light tug tells the story right there.
Next the thermistor gets a resistance reading. LG publishes a chart that ties resistance to temperature, and a sensor that's way off at room temperature is bad. The heater gets its own reading too. Infinite resistance means it's open. Near zero, or a path to the tub body, means it's shorted, and that's the one that trips breakers.
Only when both parts and the wiring test fine does the control board come into question.
Keeping it from coming back
Scale is the main thing you can control. Run the Tub Clean cycle about once a month, and use the amount of HE detergent the bottle says, not more. Leave the door open between loads so the boot dries.
If the washer was moved recently, or someone leaned on the front panel, a connector may have been knocked loose. That's worth mentioning when you call.
Can you keep using the washer?
On cold, for a little while, sure. It just won't heat. What you shouldn't do is keep resetting it on hot and hoping. Breaker tripping, or a hot electrical smell from down low? Unplug it and wait for us.
LG washer repair in Parma and Cleveland
We work on LG front-loaders and top-loaders all over the west side and the south suburbs. We test the wiring and the thermistor before quoting. The heater gets checked too, so you're only paying for whatever actually broke. There's a 90-day warranty on the repair.
Give us a call at (216) 352-3935 or book online. The model number is on a sticker around the door opening, and it helps us bring the right part. Other LG codes are covered on our LG appliance repair page, and every other washer problem on washer repair.
Questions people ask
Is tE the same on LG top-load washers?
The code means the same thing, a fault somewhere in the heating circuit. Which parts get tested depends on the model, so keep the number from the label handy.
How long does a tE repair take?
A loose connector or a thermistor is usually done in one visit. A heater or a control board may need ordering, and then we come back to finish.
Why is my LG washer showing the tE error code?
The washer tried to heat the water and the check failed. Most often a wire has come loose at the thermistor plug. The thermistor itself can fail, and so can the heater. A bad control board is the rare one.
Can I keep using my LG washer with a tE error?
On cold cycles, for a short time. It won't heat water until the fault is fixed. Stop using it if the breaker trips or you notice a hot smell.
Does tE always mean the temperature sensor is bad?
No. The code points to the heating circuit as a whole. A loose connector or a scaled-up heater can cause it just as often as the sensor.
How do I reset the tE code?
Unplug the washer for about 10 seconds and plug it back in. Press Power, choose No Spin and press Start so it drains. Then run a new cycle. That's the reset LG recommends. If the code comes back, note which part of the cycle it showed up in and tell the technician when you call. Write the code down exactly as the display shows it before you reset anything. Keep the model number handy too.
Do you repair LG washing machines?
Yes, in Parma and Cleveland plus the towns within about 50 miles. We test before replacing anything, and the repair is covered for 90 days.
