LG washers show two-letter codes when the control sees something off. We have covered the five most common ones in their own guides — LE (motor), OE (drain), UE (unbalanced), IE (fill) and dE (door). This page rounds out the family with the rest of what we read on Denver Metro service calls. Two of them are not faults at all, and knowing which ones saves a service fee.
PE — water level (pressure) sensor
The control cannot get a believable reading from the water level sensor. LG lists PE as a sensor malfunction: the washer does not know how much water is in the tub, so it refuses to proceed. A power reset clears a one-off glitch; a PE that returns means the sensor, its air hose or the wiring to the board needs a look. The sensor itself is inexpensive, but a kinked or clogged pressure hose produces the identical code, so this one is worth a live diagnosis rather than a part order.
FE — overfill
More water entered the drum than the cycle asked for. LG’s note on FE is that extra water may have entered through the dispenser, which is a polite way of saying the inlet valve did not close. A valve stuck open by grit or a failing solenoid is the usual finding; a sensor reading wrong is the other. FE can leave a tub full of water, so if the machine will not drain afterwards see our washer won’t drain guide. Do not keep restarting around FE — an inlet valve that will not shut is how laundry rooms flood.
tE — temperature sensor
The thermistor that reports water temperature is out of range or disconnected. On hot, sanitize and steam settings this surfaces first; cold washes may run for months without complaint because the heater is never commanded. A tE that only appears on heated cycles usually points at the sensor or the heater assembly it sits in, and on LG front-loaders the two are often one part.
SUD / SUdS — too much foam (not a fault)
The washer detected excess suds and is pausing to let them collapse. In LG’s own words this is a detergent problem: use HE detergent and do not over-pour. Soft water, which much of the Denver Metro has after a softener, makes it worse. If SUD appears with the right detergent at the right dose, something is keeping water in the tub — a slow drain path makes foam build. That is the only version of SUD that needs a technician.
CL — child lock (not a fault)
CL means the control lock is active. The panel ignores every button except power, which reads like a dead machine when you did not turn the lock on. Nothing is broken. The owner’s manual for your model shows which button combination toggles it; it is a press-and-hold on most LG washers.
PF — power failure (not a fault)
Power was interrupted mid-cycle. LG’s guidance is simply to press start again. A PF after a storm or a tripped breaker is normal. A PF that shows up repeatedly on a quiet day with no outage is different — a loose outlet, a failing cord or a weak connection on the board can cause the control to brown out, and that is worth checking before it takes the board with it.
Why we don’t recommend guessing parts
PE can be a $20 sensor or a clogged hose; FE can be a valve or a sensor; tE can be a thermistor or a heater. The code narrows the system, not the part. We test the system live, quote the actual repair, and the diagnostic fee is credited toward it. If the code is one of the three non-faults above, we will tell you so on the phone and save you the visit.
Repair or replace?
Sensors, valves and thermistors are modest repairs on a washer under ten years old. A main board on a machine past that age, or a second major repair in a year, is where we start a replacement conversation — honestly, with numbers.
LG washer repair across the Denver Metro
FiXiFY repairs LG washers across Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster and the metro — same-day in most areas, genuine OEM parts. See washer repair, the LG page, or the LG dryer codes guide.
BOOK ONLINECALL (303) 214-1240
FAQ
Is SUD on an LG washer a real error?
Usually not. It means the washer sensed too much foam and is waiting for it to settle; HE detergent at the right dose fixes it. SUD with correct detergent points at a slow drain path, which is the version worth a service call.
My LG washer shows CL and nothing works. Is the board dead?
No. CL is the child lock. Every button except power is ignored on purpose. The lock is toggled by a press-and-hold combination shown in your model’s manual.
What does PE mean on an LG washer?
The control cannot read the water level sensor. A power reset clears a one-off glitch; a returning PE means the sensor, its pressure hose or the wiring needs diagnosis.
Does FE mean my LG washer will flood?
FE means the washer took in more water than it should have, usually because the inlet valve did not close. The washer stops to protect you, but repeatedly restarting around FE is not safe. Have the valve checked.
FiXiFY Appliance Repair — 7030 E 46th Ave Dr, Unit A, Denver, CO 80216 · (303) 214-1240 · support@fixifycolorado.com