LE
LG Washing Machine
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
LG LE means the drum motor is locked or overloaded and cannot spin. The most common causes are an overloaded drum, a tangled laundry ball stopping the drum from turning, or a motor hall sensor fault.
Affected Models
- LG TurboWash series
- LG F series front-loaders
- LG V series front-loaders
- LG Direct Drive series
- LG WM series
Common Causes
- Drum overloaded — too much laundry preventing the motor from turning
- Laundry tangled around the drum paddles stopping rotation
- Foreign object (underwire, coin) jamming the drum-to-tub gap
- Motor Hall sensor fault — motor speed feedback failing
- Motor winding failed after years of use
- Control board not sending correct voltage to the motor
How to Fix It
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Reset the machine and reduce the load.
Press Power to turn the machine off. Unplug from the wall and wait 10 minutes. Open the door, remove approximately one-third of the laundry, and redistribute the remainder. Plug back in and restart a cycle. LE caused by overloading resolves immediately with a lighter load.
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Check for a jammed drum.
With the machine unplugged, try rotating the drum by hand through the open door. It should turn smoothly with moderate resistance. If it is stiff, jerky, or completely locked, something is jammed between the drum and outer tub — this requires a service engineer to access the machine internally.
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Check for tangled items.
Heavy items like duvets and large towels can wrap around the drum paddles tightly enough to stop rotation. Open the door, untangle and redistribute all laundry, and try again with a smaller load.
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Run LG SmartDiagnosis.
Use the LG ThinQ app's SmartDiagnosis feature to identify the specific motor component causing LE. Hold the phone near the SmartDiagnosis symbol on the machine and follow the app instructions. The app can distinguish between a sensor fault and a motor winding fault.
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Contact LG service.
Persistent LE after a reset with a correct load indicates a motor or Hall sensor fault. LG's Direct Drive motors carry a 10-year warranty on many models — check your purchase documentation. If under warranty, LG will repair or replace the motor at no cost. Contact LG support at lg.com/support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LE on an LG washer covered by warranty?
LG's Direct Drive motor carries a 10-year limited warranty on many models sold in Europe and North America. A motor fault causing LE may be covered even if the general parts warranty has expired. Check the motor warranty card that came with your machine or contact LG support with your serial number to confirm coverage. LG's serial number lookup tool at lg.com/support can confirm warranty status.