LG Dryer drn Error — Water Container Full Fix

What it means

LG dryer drn is the drainage code on LG condenser and heat pump dryers — the ones that collect condensation in a removable water container instead of venting outside.
LG's published causes: water container full, kinked drain hose, or air in the drain pump.
All three are owner-fixable in a few minutes.

Affected Models

LG DLHC series compact heat pump dryers
LG ventless condenser dryers (DLEC series and similar)
LG WashTower heat pump units (where applicable)
drn does not apply to standard vented LG dryers (DLE / DLG / DLEX / DLGX) — those vent outside and have no water container
Same drainage codes appear on similar Samsung and Bosch heat pump dryers

Common Causes

Removable water container at the top of the dryer is full and needs emptying
Direct-to-drain hose (if installed) is kinked or pinched behind the unit
Air trapped in the drain pump after a recent move or service
Drain pump filter clogged with lint behind the kickplate
Standpipe drain (if direct-plumbed) is blocked or installed too high

How to Fix It

Empty the water container.

On most LG condenser and heat pump dryers, the water container is at the top right of the door panel.
Slide it out, empty into the sink, slide it back in until it clicks home.
The dryer collects 1-2 cups of water per drying load — if you haven't emptied it for a few cycles, it's overfull and drn is the result.
Check the direct-drain hose if installed.

If you've routed the dryer to a standpipe instead of using the container, look behind the unit for the small drain hose.
Confirm it isn't kinked, pinched, or crushed against the wall.
Straighten any bends.
Clear the drain pump filter.

Behind the bottom kickplate of LG condenser dryers, there's a small drain pump access cover.
Pull the kickplate off, put a shallow tray underneath, unscrew the filter cap counter-clockwise, and clean off lint and debris.
Refit and tighten.
Restart the cycle.

After emptying and clearing, close the door firmly and restart the cycle.
If drn is gone, the issue was a full container or blocked drain.
If drn returns immediately, schedule LG service.

When to Call a Professional

Most drn cases clear by emptying the water container and confirming the drain path.
Schedule LG service only if the container is empty, the drain hose runs cleanly, the pump filter is clear — and drn still appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is drn different from the OE error?

LG documents drn and OE together on the same support page as the same fault — different displays on different model generations.
drn appears on newer LG dryers with dot-matrix displays that can show three-letter codes.
OE appears on older LG dryers with simpler segment displays.
Same underlying fault: water container full, drain hose kinked, or air in the drain pump.
Same fix steps.