Having an LG washer that does your laundry for you is a blessing in disguise. You obviously won’t want anything that will hinder its functionality and make you wash your clothes manually (with hands). However, just like human beings, electronics and machines get tired too when used continually over time.
In case your LG washer displays the LE code and you are wondering what the heck that means, well, do not look too far because this article has been compiled for you to fix LG Washer LE code issues.
However, before you can find a lasting solution to a problem, you need to know the cause of the problem first as that will help you navigate your way around the electronics.
LG Washer LE Code Premable?
An LG washer LE code means that the washer’s motor is locked which is usually due to a heavy wash load. You need to remove some heavy items from the washer or readjust the wash load and then reset the washer, this should fix the issue and resolve the LE error code. However, if the error code won’t disappear, then the washer may have a damaged rotor or a faulty rotor position sensor.
Even though LG is a famous household name for excellent electronics including their washing machines. All LG washers are designed with an error-monitoring system that can detect any issues troubling your machine and also prevent bigger problems from occurring whether you have a front or top-loading washer. Read on for more details about how to clear the LG washer LE code below.
What is LG Washer LE Code?
Before cracking the error code, ensure you understand the signal correctly. The older LG washing machine models get, the more it gets to show the LE fault wrongly. Most users confuse the 1E code with the LE code because it appears almost the same way.
The LG washer LE code means that the motor in your washer is locked simply due to a wash load that was too heavy. While in some cases, it also indicates a warning that the washer might need to be serviced.
At times, it can be a more critical issue that requires a lot more effort to fix. In such cases, it can indicate that you have a faulty rotor position sensor, a broken motor, or damaged sensor or motor wires.
Causes of LG Washer LE Code
An LG washer displaying an LE error code indicates that the washer’s motor is locked which is usually caused by a heavy wash load. In case a heavy wash load has triggered the error code, it can be fixed by adjusting the wash load and doing a washer reset.
However, If a heavy wash load is not the cause for the LE error code, then you likely have a more serious issue with either the hall sensor or rotor. Here are the common causes of LG washer LE code:
- Heavy wash load.
- Locked Rotor.
- Defective Rotor Position Sensor.
- Damaged Motor Or Sensor Wires.
- Faulty Rotor.
- Installation issue
- Thermal overload protection tripped.
- Wrong or too much detergent.
- Failure of the control board.
- The door was not slammed to the end.
- Stuck objects.
- Tacho generator sensors are damaged
- Malfunction of the latch.
- Burn out of the motor winding.
You can clear the error code by disconnecting the power caused by a heavy load. Replacing the hall sensor or rotor should fix a more serious LE error code.
LG Washer Motor Locked
The LE code on the LG washer indicates that the washer has been overloaded due to heavy loads and bulky items which can lock the motor. You need to remove a few items from the washer to reduce the wash load size and restart the cycle again.
In case the code gets displayed again even after reducing the load, allow the washer to stay idle for about 30 minutes without running so the motor has enough time to cool down before you restart the cycle.
How to fix LG Washer LE Code
There are several ways by which you can fix the LG washer LE code, follow the steps below:
Adjust the washing load
The first thing to do once your LG washer displays an LE error code is to check if the load is balanced and not overloaded. Readjusting the load and removing a few of the heavier items will often clear the error code and allow the washer to continue with its current cycle.
If after readjusting the washing load, the error code remains, then you may need to reset the washer, as described in the next step below.
Reset the LG Washer
If removing heavy items from the washer or rebalancing the load doesn’t fix the LE code on the LG washer, then resetting the washer should fix the issue and resolve the LE error code. Follow the steps below:
- Tap on the Power button to turn off the washer.
- Disconnect the washer from the wall or flip the circuit breaker.
- Long-press on the Start/Pause button for at least 5 seconds while the power is disengaged.
- Switch the breaker back to the “on” position or connect the washer back to the wall.
Did resetting solve the problem? If the LE code is not yet cleared, then you will have to continue troubleshooting the other complex problems.
Check the Rotor
In case your washing machine is still showing the LE error code after resetting, then the next step is to check the rotor. Once the rotor is faulty, your washer would stop working.
Note that you should only try this step if you are experienced with working with appliances, as this can be quite difficult to perform. Here’s how to check the rotor unit:
- Switch the power off to the washer.
- Also, turn off the water supply, and then disconnect all hoses.
- Pull the washer out from the wall or its cabinet so you can have free access to the back of it.
- Detach the back panel by removing the screws that attach it firmly in place.
- Remove it from the rest of the washer cabinet.
- Locate the rotor and then take out the bolt that attaches the rotor to the tub shaft.
- Ensure you are careful when you are doing this, as some of the edges can be very sharp.
- Once you have been able to remove it, check the teeth of the rotor to see if they are stripped or are missing.
- Once you discover that the rotor is defective, then you need to replace it with a new one.
- Once it’s been replaced, check if the error code has disappeared. If not, move on to the next step for further fixes.
Replace the Rotor Position Sensor (RPS)
The rotor position sensor (RPS), also known as the hall sensor, is an essential part of your LG washer’s automated system. It helps the control board to determine if everything is working normally.
The hall sensor also assists in monitoring the motor in your washer and ensuring it runs properly. In case this sensor fails then it can cause the LE error code. Here’s how to replace the rotor position sensor (RPS):
- Turn off all power from the machine.
- Pull the unit far enough forward so you can access the back panel.
- Remove the screws behind the washer that holds the rear panel in place.
- Pull up on the panel to release it open.
- Detach the bolt that holds the rotor to the tub shaft.
- You may need to hold the rotor while loosening the bolt.
- You should have someone open the washer door and hold the tub inside so it doesn’t move.
- Ensure you wear a pair of gloves as you may encounter some sharp edges which protect your fingers.
- Hold the rotor and pull it off (the rotor position sensor can be found at the bottom of the stator).
- You will also need to unscrew a couple of screws to allow you to unhook two connectors.
- Once the screws have been removed, then you will need to remove all bolts holding the stator in place.
- Just be sure to hold the stator as you remove the last bolt so it doesn’t fall off.
- Once the stator is loose, then you can simply fold it down and you will see the RPS.
- Now, disconnect the two wiring harnesses from the switches.
- Detach the RPS from the stator and snap the new one in place perfectly.
- Reassemble your washer and the LG washer LE code issue will be a thing of the past.
In case replacing the rotor position sensor didn’t fix your issue, then you will need to check the motor and see if the sensor wires have been damaged.
Replace Damaged Motor or Sensor Wires
Once you have the back of your LG washing machine opened and you are looking at the RPS and rotor, then it’s a great opportunity to check for any damaged wires in such areas.
Therefore, before buying any replacement parts you may want to check the wires. To do so you need to follow the steps below to disassemble the washer
- Once the stator is off and you can visibly see the wiring harnesses that connect to the motor and the rotor position sensor, go ahead to check for wires that are burnt or damaged in some way.
- There are several wires colored red, yellow, and blue.
- In case you locate any wires that have sustained damage it’s vital to fix them.
- You can use heat shrink to reconnect the wires.
- In case they are severally damaged to hold with this repair you will need to remove and replace the wires with new ones immediately.
In case you have tried all stated repairs suggested above and your LG washing machine is still displaying the LE error code, then you will likely need to contact LG’s support center or a local appliance repairman.
LG Washer LE Code Grinding Noise
Apart from the LE error code displayed on your LG washing machine, if it’s accompanied by loud “clanking” or “grinding” noises, then you will need to check the rotor on the unit. Here’s how you go about this:
- Disconnect the power cord from the wall and turn the inlet water supplies off and disconnect all hoses.
- Pull out the washer far enough forward that you can easily have full access to the back of the machine.
- You will need to remove the screws behind the washer that hold the back panel in place.
- Flex the panel enough to release the tabs located at the top or bottom (location depends on your washer model).
- Detach the bolt that attaches the rotor to the tub shaft (you may need to hold the rotor firm while you twist the bolt).
- It’s recommended that you wear a pair of thick gloves as there may be sharp edges involved when performing this process.
- Hold the rotor firmly and pull it straight off the shaft.
Once you have the rotor off, you will want to check the teeth to see if any are missing or if they are stripped. If so, you simply buy a new part and replace it.
LG Washer LE Code Reset
At times the LE error code is displayed simply because the washer is being overloaded and the motor stops being able to operate. Here’s how to reset your LG washer:
- Tap on the Power button to turn the washing machine off.
- Switch the power off to the washing machine on the wall, or turn the circuit breaker off.
- Long-press on the “Start/Pause” button for about 5 seconds.
- Now, you can turn the power back on at the wall or turn the circuit breaker back on.
- Test if the LE error code has stopped displaying.
If so, it implies that the problem has been fixed, and if not, contact LG’s support center.
I hope this article has been able to solve LG washer LE code issues. If yes, kindly drop your comment in the section below and let’s know which fix solved your problem.