LG Washing Machine Error tE – Temperature Sensor / Heating Error
LG can't read the water temperature correctly or the water isn't warming. The thermistor is the prime suspect.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
At a glance
Severity: Low
- Meaning
- Temperature Sensor / Heating Error
- System
- LG · Washing Machine
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$500
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
tE is LG's temperature code. LG documentation describes it as a heating error on some models and as a thermistor fault on others, so treat it as a problem anywhere in the temperature loop: the thermistor that measures the water, the heater that warms it, or the board that switches the heater. The timing is the best clue – tE right at start-up usually means the thermistor reads open or shorted, while tE after a long heated phase means the water isn't getting warmer. Front-loaders heat internally for hot and Sanitary cycles; top-loaders mostly blend house hot and cold water but still use the thermistor to check the mix.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LG front-loaders and WashTower | tE | Wash thermistor and heater at the bottom of the tub. |
| LG top-loaders | tE | Thermistor checks the blended water temperature; the house hot supply matters. |
| LG washer-dryer combos | tE / dHE | tE concerns the wash temperature; dHE is a separate drying-heater fault. |
Safety first · Consult a professional
Unplug the washer before removing any panel – the heater terminals carry line voltage. After a hot or Sanitary cycle, give the water and the element time to cool.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Hot surfaces and hot water can cause burns. Let the appliance cool down first.
Symptoms
- tE appears within seconds of starting, even on cold cycles
- tE only after a long wait on Sanitary, Allergiene or Steam
- Hot cycles finish lukewarm or run much longer
- Code started after water leaked onto the floor or a flood in the laundry room
- Top-loader water temperature seems off before tE appears
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Thermistor failed – open, shorted or drifting
- Heating element burned out (front-loaders)
- Thermistor plug loose or corroded, often after a leak
- Heater relay or main board fault
- Low water around the heater from a level-sensing problem, overheating the thermistor
- Top-loaders: hot supply off or very cold inlet water skewing the blend
Fix it step by step
Note when tE appears
Write down whether the code shows at the very start or only after heating for a while. Instant tE points to the sensor circuit; late tE points to the heater or the board.
Top-loaders: check the hot supply
Make sure the hot valve behind the washer is fully open and that hot water actually reaches the laundry area. A cold-only supply can leave the blend far from what the washer expects.
Tools: Flashlight
Find the thermistor
Unplug the washer. On LG front-loaders the thermistor sits at the heater mount at the bottom of the tub, reached by removing the lower front or back panel depending on model. Reseat its plug and look for corrosion.
Tools: Screwdriver, Flashlight
Measure the thermistor
With the plug off, measure across the thermistor. You should see a steady reading in the kilo-ohm range that drops as you warm the sensor in your fingers. An open circuit, near zero, or a reading that jumps around means replace it.
Tools: Multimeter
Measure the heater
Check the element across its terminals: roughly 10–20 Ω is typical on a 120 V LG front-loader heater, while an open reading means it's burned out. Also test each terminal to the metal mount – it must read open.
Tools: Multimeter
Confirm with Smart Diagnosis
Run the ThinQ app diagnosis or the phone-sound version. If both the thermistor and heater measure fine, the result helps LG service decide whether the board's heater relay is at fault.
How to reset tE
- Press Power and unplug the washer for about a minute.
- Plug in and run a cold Rinse+Spin to check that everything else works.
- Try a short warm cycle and note whether tE returns at the start or later.
- If tE keeps returning, use cold cycles only until the part is replaced.
Where the parts are
- 1Door lock
- 2Water inlet valve
- 3Water level sensor
- 4Filter
- 5Drain pump
- 6Motor
- 7Heating element
- 8Temperature sensor
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reseat or clean thermistor plug | Yes | $0 |
| Thermistor (DIY part) | Yes | $15–$45 |
| Heating element (DIY part) | Yes | $45–$110 |
| Thermistor or heater replaced by a technician | No | $160–$320 |
| Main board replaced | No | $250–$500 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Call LG service or an appliance technician if both the thermistor and the heater measure correctly, if the breaker or GFCI trips when heating starts, or if you'd rather not work at the heater terminals.
Frequently asked questions
Is tE a heater problem or a sensor problem?
It can be either. On many LG washers tE at the very start of a cycle points to the thermistor, while tE after a long heating phase points to the heater or its relay.
Can I keep washing with tE?
Cold cycles usually still run. Avoid hot, Sanitary and Steam options until it's fixed, because the washer can't control the temperature reliably.
Does an LG top-loader have a heater?
Most LG top-loaders heat with the hot water from your house rather than an internal element. They still use a thermistor to check the water temperature, so tE on a top-loader usually means the sensor or the hot supply.
Is tE on my washer-dryer the same as dHE?
No. tE refers to the wash-water temperature; dHE is a separate code for the drying heater and has its own causes.
Sources
- Official LG user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy