What the code means
OE means the washer can't drain its water.
For front-load washers, LG lists four causes: a clogged drain filter, a pinched or kinked drain hose, a frozen drain hose, or a clogged house drain. For top-load washers, LG says the code shows when the washer hasn't been able to drain for thirteen minutes.
Before you start
- Unplug the washer before you open the filter cover or move it. Plug it back in for the test cycles.
- The water inside may still be hot. Let it cool before you drain it.
- Have a shallow pan or a towel ready for the water that comes out when you remove the filter.
What the manufacturer says to check
Front-load washers
- Open the access cover at the bottom front, take out the drain filter and clean out the debris.
- Check the drain hose for pinches or kinks, and straighten it.
- LG suggests a test for a clogged house drain: take the drain hose off the drainpipe, put its end in a bucket, and run a spin cycle to see whether the washer drains.
- If the drain hose is frozen, pour warm water into the tub and wait for the drain pump to thaw.
- Clean the drain filter at least once a month from then on. LG says coins, hairpins and lint can slow draining and can damage the drain pump motor.
Top-load washers
- Pull the washer out from the wall and check that the drain hose behind it isn't bent, clogged or pinched.
- Run a spin cycle on its own: press Power, press Special Use until the spin setting lights, then press Start/Pause.
- If your model has no spin setting there, start any cycle and pause it. After about eight minutes the washer times out, shows DR and tries to drain.
- If the spin works, run a Tub Clean cycle.
Stop and call for service
Stop and call for service if any of these happen.
- Front-load: the code keeps showing after these steps. LG says to contact LG or request a service visit.
- Top-load: the code comes back after you run an empty wash cycle. LG says the washer then needs a repair service.
Source: LG: Front-load washer not draining and showing OE; LG: Top-load washer OE error code.
Based on the manufacturer's support pages. Codes can differ by model, so your model's owner's manual comes first.