LG Washing Machine OE Error: Meaning and Fix

By FaultDecode · Checked against LG's official support page · Updated · How we check

Quick answer

OE means the machine cannot drain the water after washing. The usual causes are a bent drain hose, a blocked drain pump filter, or too much detergent foam. Most cases you can fix yourself.

ProblemWater not draining
Fix it yourself?Yes, usually
If it keeps comingDrain pump (technician)
Also shown asE03 · E21

Safety: Water inside can be hot. Let it cool before opening the filter.

Common causes

  • Drain hose bent, pressed or blocked
  • Drain pump filter blocked with lint, coins or hair
  • Too much detergent, so foam makes the pump suck air
  • Drain pipe in the wall blocked

Fix it step by step

  1. Check the drain hose behind the machine. Straighten any bend and remove anything pressing on it. Then run a Spin cycle.
  2. Run a Spin Only cycle and listen. A humming sound means the drain pump is working.
  3. If you hear humming, clean the drain pump filter: switch off and unplug, open the small service cover at the bottom front, keep a bucket and towel ready, drain the leftover water through the small hose, then turn the filter anticlockwise, take it out and clean it with a soft brush.
  4. Refit the filter, turn it clockwise until it stops, and close the cover.
  5. Run a Tub Clean cycle. If the filter was already clean, use less detergent next time.
  6. To test the wall drain, take the drain hose out of the drain pipe and run Spin. If water comes out of the hose, the wall drain pipe is blocked.

Still showing OE?

  • No humming during Spin means the drain pump is not working. Book LG service.
  • OE keeps coming back after the filter is cleaned: the pump or its wiring needs a technician.

हिंदी में

OE का मतलब है मशीन से पानी बाहर नहीं निकल रहा। ज़्यादातर ड्रेन पाइप मुड़ना या नीचे वाला फ़िल्टर भर जाना इसकी वजह होती है।

  1. ड्रेन पाइप सीधा करें।
  2. मशीन बंद करें, नीचे का छोटा ढक्कन खोलें, बाल्टी रखकर पानी निकालें।
  3. फ़िल्टर घुमाकर निकालें और ब्रश से साफ़ करें।
  4. अगली बार डिटर्जेंट कम डालें।

Questions people ask

Does OE mean the drain pump is broken?

Not usually. A bent hose or a blocked filter is far more common. The pump is likely faulty only if it makes no humming sound during Spin.

Are OE, E03 and E21 the same?

LG lists OE, E03 and E21 together as the error for the washer being unable to drain.

Can too much detergent cause OE?

Yes. Extra foam creates air pockets and the pump draws air instead of water.

Sources

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