The LG error code OE simply means “the pump is blocked”. Presumably the water isn’t being emptied properly, but as with all error codes it is possible that there is a cause other than the error code explanation.
Basically this error means that the washing machine thinks the water isn’t pumping out. That’s probably the case, and a pump, or filter blockage is the most common cause. However, this error code could be caused by other faults such as a faulty pump, or even a blockage in the drain hose, or somewhere else in the pressure 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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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.