Last updated on February 7th, 2017
The LG error code OE simply means “the pump is blocked”. Presumably the water isn’t being emptied properly. As with all error codes it is possible that there is a cause other than the exact description in the error code explanation, but basically this error means as far as the washing machine is concerned it thinks the water isn’t pumping out. A pump, or filter blockage is the most common cause, but it could be caused by other faults such as a faulty pump, or even a blockage in the drain hose or somewhere else in the system etc.
Bizarrely, according to LG, “if the unit is not levelled properly, it will not drain properly. The front of the unit cannot be higher than the back or vice versa”. However, it probably doesn’t mean it would stop it draining the water at all, I’m assuming it just means there might be a little bit of water left in the machine.
If you have the OE error and you can see that there is a lot of water still inside the machine try this article Washing machine won’t empty water. If it seems like the water has been pumped away then it could be that a pressure system fault has stopped the machine getting the signal that the water has gone and it’s ok to spin. This is more involved than dealing with not emptying though so unless you fully understand the way it works get an engineer – Pressure system faults
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had this error, almost made a colorful call to LG.
I found the little door on the front lower, and read pump filter; so I manually drained the washer and cleaned the filter basket(not for the faint of stomachs) washer works normally now.
Brian,
What do u mean you read pump filter? How did u clean the filter basket? I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave more details. Thanks!!
Mary: Brian meant he’d cleaned out a blocked pump filter. The “read” bit doesn’t make any sense, not sure what was actually meant.
The error code OE means the pump isn’t pumping out the water and the link I included in my article ( Washing machine won’t drain water ) which describes how to try and fix this problem. It may be useful if the fault is caused by a blocked filter. There’s also a link within that article to a section that describes how to check your pump filter (if one is fitted).
cleaned the filter, but still water won’t drain…..the pump is runnin but water not drainin
jujufish: If your washing machine pumps into the u-bend under the sink the blockage (if there is one) could be there. If not you’ll need to get an engineer. Have a look here – Pump has no blockages, filter is clear and it runs but it still won’t drain water
so cleaned the pump filter and pulled stuff blocked in th expeller i believe it is and tryed to get it working again but it freezes and makes a werd motor sound……. any help???????
Sorry Alex, all the help is on the links in the original article and subsequent comments. Sounds like something’s still jamming the impeller or the pump’s faulty though.
I have the same issue, all i have ever done to get it to work again… unplug the machine while its in “pause” mode, leave it unplugged for 15-30 sec plug it back in, push ON, (dont turn knob) hit the SPIN button to highest level, push PLAY. And it seems to get back on track… dunno?
Thank you so much for all of this info. I didn’t even know I had a filter on my LG washer. Emptying the water and cleaning the filter were indescribable but once it was done, the stink is gone and the washer is back to running !!!!!!! Thank you again !!!!
I have had the OE error. I have cleaned the filter bit at the front, I have drained it, I have done this over and over again and it still doesnt work. There is no blockage in the pipe we have flushed it thru. What on earth is wrong with this machine. its only a year old and we have two people in our house!
If anyone has any ideas please help xx
Louise, The LG error code OE simply means “the pump is blocked” but as with many error codes they can be misleading. I can only presume the machine knows the pump is running but the water isn’t pumping away so it thinks the pump is blocked.
It’s normally caused by a blocked pump filter but it could be caused by something else. If the water is not being pumped away you should read all the links I placed in my original article and if they don’t help you need to call an engineer.
On the other hand if the water is being pumped away then the error would appear to be indicating an erroneous cause and you need an engineer to check it out.
Thanks Sam, I’ve put the link at the bottom of my main article.
I tried to drain the tube and nothing comes out. How can I check the filter without water going everywhere. There is still water in the tub!!!! HELP!!
Hi Cindy: Advice on your situation is available from the first link on the article where it says, “Washing machine won’t empty water” although it’s a long article, specific advice about dealing with a washing machine full of water is in another section linked to on that page How do I clean my pump filter – where is the pump filter? which has a section titled “Washing machine full of water?”
Trying to figure out how to get to the pump to look for something that might be impeding the impeller?
Vern: With the hoses disconnected you can see the impeller. The pump should be easy to take off too if necessary.
I got the happy error! I followed your suggestions: emptied the machine, cleaned the filter, etc. You are right: a simple tooth pick created all this mess. However, I was not that lucky! The machine just got stuck in the middle of the cycle. I assume that either unplugging the machine reset the cycle, or just unclogging the softener drawer solved the problem (uncomlete cycle) . Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!
Worked great! Draining the washer was messy but the filter needed to be emptied. Why doesn’t LG say this filter needs to be cleaned periodically?
Ok, I’ve read these all, but here’s our problem. It seems to want to operate normally, but once the tub drains and “starts” it’s spin cycle that’s where it stops. It runs normally, drains the water it’s just once it gets all the water out of the tub that it stops working right. It doesn’t want to spin or anything. I’ve unplugged it while pushing the start stop…blah blah blah So can someone offer any advice?
anthony: If the OE error is produced after the water has pumped away then there must be something else wrong with the washer if it’s giving an error code saying the water can’t be pumped away after it has successfully pumped it away. Maybe there’s a blockage or fault in the pressure system that tells the washing machine when the water has gone. It needs the pressure switch to turn off when the water has gone to signal that it has gone, which it does by air pressure. However, they normally have different error codes for pressure system issues.
thanks washerhelp i had a tech come look at it and that’s what he found out. I wish I would have read this sooner might have saved me some $$. Funny too, murphy’s law, when he came to look at it, it was working just fine. Go figure, I call someone to come look at it and it acts like nothing is wrong. Oh well. Lesson learned.
I had an OE code, and had no problem with the water draining. After a while, I noticed water on the floor.
Found the problem was the rubber hose underneath had a crack in the bellows. I assume that was the cause of the leak and the reason for the OE code as the pump would continue to suck air.
Ok heres my problem… Ive cleaned the filter nothing there… It just stops when it starts draining and makes a motor noise. I have someone coming to look at it tomorrow but would rather TRY and fix it myself. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Lesley: It sounds like the pump may be running but not able to drain the water. Could be a blockage somewhere else in the system or even at the sink u-bend if it drains into there or a faulty pump.
i just had this issue for the third time. First time, the filter was BLOCKED, so I cleaned out all of the debris (amazing what would happen if we all read and followed the maintenance) and then all was good. Had same thing a couple weeks later, not much there but repeated process and it worked. Today, I got on my hands and knees and looked behind the filter with a flashlight and in the hose behind the filter was a baby sock. used a long screwdriver and fished it out and then looked back up in there with he flashlight, while laying on the floor. I hope that is it, but it just took a good lookin’!