Washer Error Codes by Brand

What the code on your washer's display means and what to check first. Many clear with a two-minute check. If it doesn't, we'll diagnose it — the $65 diagnostic is waived when you go ahead with the repair.

Jump to: LG Samsung Whirlpool & Kenmore GE Frigidaire Electrolux

LG

LG washers flash a short code when a cycle stops, and many clear with one simple check.

  • IE
    Water inlet error. The washer isn't filling as expected.
    Make sure both water valves are fully open, and check the inlet hose screens for debris.
  • OE
    Drain error. Water isn't leaving the tub in time.
    Check the drain hose for a kink, and clean the coin trap behind the small access door at the bottom front corner. Put a towel and a shallow pan down first.
  • dE / dE1 / dE2
    Door error. The washer isn't detecting the door as closed and locked.
    Press the door firmly shut and listen for the lock to click. No click and nothing starts.
  • UE
    Unbalanced load. Lowercase uE means the washer is still trying to rebalance, so give it five to ten minutes. Uppercase UE means it gave up.
    Redistribute the load and check the machine is level. If it keeps happening, the suspension is likely worn, and rods are replaced as a set of four.
  • LE
    The tub isn't spinning. This is the locked motor error.
    Unplug the washer for 5 minutes and retry the cycle. If LE returns or the drum won't turn freely, the motor or its wiring needs diagnosis. Motors are estimated separately.
  • PE
    Water level (pressure) sensor error.
    Unplug for 10 seconds and restart. If it returns, the sensor or its hose needs testing.
  • FE
    Overfill error. The washer detected too much water in the tub.
    Turn the water off at the valves and check the detergent dispenser. If it keeps happening, the fill valve or water level sensor needs testing.
  • tE
    Heating error.
    Unplug for 10 seconds and restart. If it returns, the heater or its temperature sensor needs testing.

Samsung

Samsung washers show a short code, and many use a two-character version (for example 5E or 5C) depending on the model.

  • 5E / SE / 5C
    Drain error. Water isn't leaving the tub.
    Check the drain hose for a kink, and clean the coin trap. Put a towel and a shallow pan down first.
  • 4E / 4C
    Water supply error. The washer isn't filling.
    Make sure both water valves are fully open, and check the inlet hoses and screens.
  • dE / dC
    Door error. The door isn't detected as closed and locked.
    Press the door firmly shut and listen for the lock to click.
  • UE / UB
    Unbalanced load.
    Redistribute the load and check the machine is level. If the drum bounces more than once when you push down on it, the suspension is worn.
  • LE / LC
    Leak detected. The washer sensed water where it shouldn't be.
    Turn off the water and check the hoses and the door boot for wet spots.
  • Sud / SUd
    Too many suds.
    Too much detergent, or detergent that isn't high-efficiency. Run a rinse cycle with no detergent.

Whirlpool & Kenmore

Whirlpool Duet and Kenmore HE front loaders are built on the same platform and share these codes.

  • F21
    Long drain. The washer isn't emptying fast enough.
    Open the coin trap, bottom front corner behind the small access door. Most of the time it's full of lint, hairpins, and change, not a dead pump.
  • F9 E1
    The drain is taking longer than expected.
    Make sure the drain hose isn't kinked or clogged, and clean the coin trap.
  • F20 / FH
    Water supply problem. The washer isn't getting enough water.
    Press Pause/Cancel twice to clear it, make sure both water valves are fully open, and check the inlet screens.
  • F8 E1
    Low water flow.
    Confirm the water supply is on and the hoses aren't kinked.
  • F7 E1
    Motor speed sensing error.
    On a new install, make sure the shipping bolts are out, and check for an overloaded drum. If it repeats, the motor speed sensor or motor needs diagnosis. Motors are estimated separately.
  • F5 E2
    The door isn't locking properly.
    Make sure nothing is blocking the door, then press Pause/Cancel twice and try again.
  • Sud / Sd
    Too many suds.
    Use high-efficiency (HE) detergent, and less of it. Run a rinse cycle with no detergent.
  • LOC / LC
    Control lock is on.
    Touch the Control Lock button to turn it off.

GE

GE top-load washers show these messages on the display. Note that GE uses dE for an open lid, which is different from other brands.

  • UE
    Unbalanced load.
    Reposition the laundry evenly and make sure the washer is level.
  • dE
    The lid is open.
    Close the lid.
  • H2O SUPPLY / IE
    Water isn't entering the washer.
    Check the house water supply and make sure the supply valves are on.
  • Lid Locked
    Three cycles have been started without opening the lid.
    Open and close the lid, then start a new cycle.
  • FE
    Water has reached a critical level.
    Turn off the water and the power, and call for service.
  • CAnCELEd
    The cycle was paused for more than 24 hours, or stopped because of errors.
    Wait 4 minutes for the lockout to end, then restart the cycle.

Frigidaire

E1 through E5 and CL are Frigidaire top-load washer codes. F2 shows on front-load washers.

  • E1
    Water isn't entering the washer, or the fill is slow.
    Make sure the lid is closed and both faucets are fully open, straighten the inlet hoses, and clean the inlet filter screens.
  • E2
    Water is taking too long to drain.
    Straighten and unclog the drain hose, and make sure the lid is closed so the spin can start.
  • E3
    The lid is open, or the lid lock failed.
    Make sure the lid closes fully and the washer is level. If it won't lock after you start a cycle, the lid lock or the control board may have failed.
  • E4
    Out of balance during the spin.
    Redistribute the load, adjust the leveling legs so the washer sits firmly, and on a new install make sure the shipping foam was removed.
  • E5
    The washer isn't level.
    Adjust the leveling legs until it sits level and isn't tilted backward.
  • CL
    The lid was open for more than 20 seconds with the control lock on.
    Power the washer off and turn the control lock off. Your manual shows how on your model.
  • F2
    Too much soap, or the wrong type. Suds may overflow.
    Use high-efficiency detergent, use less per load, and run an empty Quick Wash to clear the suds.

Electrolux

These are front-load codes on Electrolux washers.

  • E11
    Long fill time. The washer isn't filling fast enough.
    Make sure the hot and cold lines aren't swapped and both faucets are open. The washer can lock for up to 6 minutes after this code, and unplugging it restarts that timer.
  • E21
    Long pump-out time. The water isn't leaving fast enough.
    Look for kinks or a blockage in the drain hose, make sure the hot and cold lines go to the right inlets, and check how the drain hose is installed.
  • HO SE
    Reversed hoses. Hot is connected to the cold inlet and cold to the hot inlet.
    Turn off the water, cancel the cycle, shut off both supply valves, and reconnect each hose to the correct inlet.
  • SU dS
    Too many suds.
    Use high-efficiency detergent, and less of it. Each extra rinse the washer runs to clear the suds adds about 5 minutes.
  • LOC
    Control lock is on.
    Turn the control lock off in the washer's menu.

Codes and their meanings vary by model and year. If your code isn't listed, or it comes back after the first check, call us with the brand, the model number, and the code on the display.

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