LG Dryer LE2 Error — Heat Pump Compressor Fix

What it means

LG dryer LE2 is the compressor fault on LG heat pump dryers — the dryers that use a refrigerant compressor instead of an electric heating element.
LG groups three display variants together: LE2, AE, and CE1 — same underlying fault.
LG's wording: 'problem with the compressor, a component which generates heat.'
This is a sealed refrigerant system fault and needs an LG-authorised technician.

Affected Models

LG DLHC series compact heat pump dryers
LG SmartThinQ heat pump dryers
LG WashTower heat pump units (where applicable)
LE2 (also AE or CE1 on older heat pump panels) does not apply to standard vented LG dryers (DLE / DLG / DLEX / DLGX) — those use a heating element, not a compressor
Same compressor-fault behaviour on Samsung and Bosch heat pump dryers, but with brand-specific codes

Common Causes

Compressor failure inside the sealed refrigerant circuit
Refrigerant leak reducing heat pump effectiveness
Compressor wiring fault or relay failure
Inverter board fault on heat pump dryers
Compressor protection circuit tripped after overcurrent event

How to Fix It

Power cycle for 5 minutes.

First step before scheduling service: unplug the dryer for a full 5 minutes (or trip the breaker for the same time).
This clears any momentary fault state on the inverter board that may resolve LE2 without service.
Plug back in and start a short Time Dry cycle.
Confirm LE2 returns immediately.

If LE2 reappears within the first 1-2 minutes of operation, the reset didn't fix it.
If LE2 stays cleared, the issue was a transient inverter glitch.
Either way, you have a clear next step.
Pull the model number.

On LG heat pump dryers, the model number is on the inside of the door frame or on a sticker behind the lower kickplate.
Common LG heat pump dryer models start with DLHC.
Have this ready when you call LG service.
Schedule LG service.

LG schedules service through their support portal at lg.com/us/support.
For heat pump dryers specifically, ask for a technician trained on the heat pump platform — general dryer techs sometimes don't have refrigerant recovery equipment.

When to Call a Professional

LE2 is not an owner repair.
The compressor sits inside the sealed refrigerant system at the bottom of the dryer — disassembly requires recovery of the refrigerant and proper training.
Contact LG service if LE2 doesn't clear after a 5-minute power-cycle reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does LG list three different codes (LE2, AE, CE1) for the same fault?

Different model generations of LG's heat pump dryer used different display formats.
CE1 was the earliest format on the first US heat pump models.
AE replaced it in a mid-cycle revision.
LE2 is the current format aligned with the broader LE family of LG laundry motor codes.
All three display the same underlying compressor fault — LG documents them together on the same support page.