Whitegoods Help article

LG washing machine error code OE

💡

Quick Answer

Check whether water is still inside the drum when OE appears. If the drum is full or partially full of water – a physical drain fault is the cause, start with the pump filter. If the drum appears empty but OE still shows – a pressure system fault may be preventing the machine receiving the “water gone” signal.

⚠️

LG error code OE – drain fault detected

Error code OE on an LG washing machine means the machine has detected that water is not draining correctly within the expected time. The most common causes are a blocked pump filter or a blockage inside the pump impeller. OE can also be triggered by a faulty pump motor, a blocked drain hose, or a pressure system fault that prevents the machine detecting that the water has gone.

What OE Means on an LG Washing Machine

OE stands for an outflow (drain) error. The machine monitors the drainage process and expects the water level to drop within a set time. If that drop is not detected, OE is displayed and the cycle aborts. The code does not identify the specific cause – it indicates the machine cannot confirm the water has gone.

Diagnosing OE: Two Scenarios

❌ Water still in the drum when OE appears

The machine is trying to drain but the water is not clearing. This is a physical drain fault – blockage in the filter, blockage or jam in the pump impeller, a blocked drain hose, or pump motor failure. Work through the drain fault diagnosis below.

Drum appears empty but OE shows

The water has drained but the machine still cannot confirm this and refuses to proceed to spin. This is a pressure system fault – the sensor that tells the machine the drum is empty is not receiving or sending the correct signal. This is a more involved diagnosis – see our guide on pressure system faults.

Checking for a Drain Blockage

  1. Check and clean the pump filter.

    The pump filter on most LG front-loading washing machines is accessible behind a small panel at the front base of the machine. Place towels on the floor, slowly unscrew the filter cap to release residual water, then remove and clean the filter. Check for coins, hairbands, hair grips, small socks, and accumulated lint. See our guide on washing machine pump filters.

  2. Listen for the pump running.

    When the machine attempts to drain, can the pump be heard? A running pump with no drainage suggests a blockage downstream of the pump – in the drain hose or at the standpipe connection. A silent pump suggests the pump motor is not running – either a jammed impeller or a failed motor.

  3. Check the pump impeller through the filter opening.

    With the filter removed, shine a torch into the pump chamber where the impeller is visible. Objects such as glass fragments, coins, or small items can jam the impeller. The impeller should turn freely by hand. If it will not rotate or is broken, the pump needs replacement.

  4. Check the drain hose connection.

    Confirm the drain hose is not kinked, and that the standpipe or U-bend connection is not blocked. A small object or accumulation of lint at the standpipe connection can restrict flow enough to cause OE. This check does not require moving the machine if the drain hose exits at the back and runs to a standpipe under the sink – unscrew the spigot and check inside.

  5. If no blockage is found – consider an engineer.

    If the pump is running, there is no blockage in the filter or drain hose, and the drum is still not emptying, see our guide on no blockage but still not draining. Pump motor failure and pressure system faults are the remaining causes.

LG levelling note

LG documentation states that the machine must be level and that the front cannot be higher than the back or vice versa. Poor levelling can leave a small residual amount of water in the machine but is unlikely to prevent draining entirely. If OE appears and the machine is visibly unlevelled, correct the levelling first and test again before investigating further.


Frequently Asked Questions

What does OE mean on an LG washing machine?

OE is a drain error – the machine has detected that water is not leaving the drum within the expected time. It most commonly indicates a blocked pump filter, a jam in the pump impeller, or a blocked drain hose. It can also be triggered by a pump motor fault or a pressure system fault that prevents the machine detecting the drum is empty.

My LG shows OE but the drum looks empty – what does this mean?

If the water has drained but OE still displays and the machine will not spin, the pressure system is likely at fault. The machine uses a pressure switch to confirm the drum is empty before spinning. If this system is not providing the correct signal – due to a blocked pressure chamber hose, a faulty pressure switch, or a PCB issue – the machine will not proceed to spin even though the drum is actually empty. This requires a more detailed diagnosis, ideally by an engineer.

How do I reset the OE error on an LG washing machine?

Clearing the error code without resolving the underlying fault will cause OE to return immediately on the next cycle. The fault must be identified and resolved first. Once the drain fault is fixed – whether by cleaning the filter, clearing a blockage, or repairing a component – the error should clear on the next successful drain.

Last reviewed: April 2026.

Discussion

59 Comments

Grouped into 52 comment threads.

Jill 1 reply Thank you! I kept getting the 03 error code. When it was time to drain it made a horrid grind/groan and nothing happened. I unplugged it and waited 10 seconds for a reset, hit power then start. No go. I hit start to pause it, then hit no spin, start, start, low spin, start and went up through the levels while listening. A couple times there was a shift in the grind groan sound and finally it thunked! It now is working like it hasn't in a couple of months. Water spouting out the drain! You gave me the info to figure it out. Hope this makes sense and can help someone.

Thank you! I kept getting the 03 error code. When it was time to drain it made a horrid grind/groan and nothing happened. I unplugged it and waited 10 seconds for a reset, hit power then start. No go. I hit start to pause it, then hit no spin, start, start, low spin, start and went up through the levels while listening. A couple times there was a shift in the grind groan sound and finally it thunked! It now is working like it hasn’t in a couple of months. Water spouting out the drain! You gave me the info to figure it out. Hope this makes sense and can help someone.

Andy Trigg

Likely replying to Jill

Thanks Jill, it could have been an obstruction inside the machine which has shifted out of the way. If the fault returns you will need to try and get it out. Hopefully it will be ok now though.

jenny 1 reply Hi all, I'm getting the same error and I've drained and cleaned the filter a couple times but the error keeps returning. I just called a repairman who told me over the phone that the pump needs to be replaced, that either it's dead already or it's on its last leg and the best thing to do is to replace it anyway and parts and labor will be $250. Thoughts? Thank you!!

Hi all, I’m getting the same error and I’ve drained and cleaned the filter a couple times but the error keeps returning. I just called a repairman who told me over the phone that the pump needs to be replaced, that either it’s dead already or it’s on its last leg and the best thing to do is to replace it anyway and parts and labor will be $250. Thoughts? Thank you!!

Patti

Likely replying to jenny

Hi Jenny I too am having pump trouble but am a bit handy so I am going to change the pump myself. If you look on YouTube and they explain it quite well on how to do it the pump is about 50 dollars at most parts stores

Matt 1 reply I have the same question as Vern above. How do I get to the drain pump? Am I supposed to tilt the washer and access from underneath? Remove the front panel? I'm getting a grinding noise during the spin cycle and the water is not draining. I'm guessing something is interfering with the impeller. Thanks

I have the same question as Vern above. How do I get to the drain pump? Am I supposed to tilt the washer and access from underneath? Remove the front panel?

I’m getting a grinding noise during the spin cycle and the water is not draining. I’m guessing something is interfering with the impeller.

Thanks

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Matt

Hello Matt, that’s a good article but why did you need to take all the front off? The pump should be easily accessible by just laying the machine down on its back.

Washerhelp 1 reply 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.

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.

anthony

Likely replying to Washerhelp

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 ££s. 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.

cindy 1 reply 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!!

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!!

Washerhelp

Likely replying to cindy

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?”

Louise Rowland 1 reply 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

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

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Louise Rowland

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.

Brian 1 reply 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.

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.

mary

Likely replying to Brian

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!!

YREVA 0 replies So. the pump was changed and everything seems to be fine with the motor but the water still wont come out...any ideas

So. the pump was changed and everything seems to be fine with the motor but the water still wont come out…any ideas

Chris 0 replies Great info here. My tub would not drain I have a top loader lg, drained what I could out of the drain hose into a bucket tilted machine forward till water was below tub drain. Removed 4 screw cover on back and took the 2hoses loose from pump, pulled out debris with needle nose pliers hook back up and works great.

Great info here. My tub would not drain I have a top loader lg, drained what I could out of the drain hose into a bucket tilted machine forward till water was below tub drain. Removed 4 screw cover on back and took the 2hoses loose from pump, pulled out debris with needle nose pliers hook back up and works great.

Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) 0 replies It's possible one could be designed to just pull forward but most pump filters should come right out. Check it isn't jammed in by a bra wire or something tangled up. There is a small section which mentions dealing with a jammed pump filter in this article pump filter

It’s possible one could be designed to just pull forward but most pump filters should come right out. Check it isn’t jammed in by a bra wire or something tangled up. There is a small section which mentions dealing with a jammed pump filter in this article pump filter