LG washing machine OE error: water not draining

OE

Why it happens

LG UK's OE help page says the OE error "essentially means the water is not draining from the washing machine", and names "a kinked or clogged drain hose or a clogged pump filter" as the causes. It adds that cleaning the filter regularly prevents laundry residue from building up in it.

LG USA's top-load OE page gives the timing: the error displays "if the washer is unable to drain water for 13 minutes." LG USA's front-load error code list describes the same fault as the washing machine being "unable to drain the water used during the wash cycle", again pointing at a kinked drain hose or a clogged drain pump filter.

How to fix it

1. Check the drain hose. LG USA says to pull the washer away from the wall far enough to check that the drain hose is not bent, clogged, or pinched between the back of the washer and the wall. Straighten any kink you find.
2. Lay down towels. Before you open the filter, LG UK warns that "a large amount of water" can come out, so always put a towel down first. LG UK specifically mentions protecting floors such as solid wood. A shallow basin helps.
3. Drain the residual water. On front loaders, open the filter cover at the bottom left (bottom right on some models, according to LG UK). Inside you will find the large filter cap and a small residual water hose. Pull the residual water hose forward, open its cap, and let the water run into your basin. LG USA notes that when draining through this tube, the tube should not be inside the unit, and that you should screw the cap back on securely to prevent leaks.
4. Clean the pump filter. LG UK's instruction is: "Turn the large cap to the left to take it out, Then remove residual water and any foreign materials." Clean the filter, refit it, and close the cover.
5. Run a spin-only cycle. On top loaders, LG USA says to press POWER, press the SPECIAL USE key until SPIN ONLY is lit, then press START/PAUSE: "The unit should begin a SPIN ONLY cycle and attempt to drain any remaining water." On front loaders, LG's error list says to select HIGH spin speed and press START/PAUSE, then listen for a humming sound, which indicates the drain pump motor has started working.
6. No SPIN ONLY option? For top loaders without it, LG USA says to start a cycle and pause it after a few minutes: "After 8 minutes the unit will automatically time out, display DR, and try to drain the unit."
7. Run Tub Clean. If the spin-only cycle works, LG recommends a TUB CLEAN cycle to wash away build-up that formed while OE was displayed. LG UK's steps are to empty the drum ("there must be NO clothes in the drum"), add tub cleaner according to its package instructions, close the drawer and lid, and select Tub Clean. LG UK also says to leave the lid open afterwards so the drum can air.

Check that it worked

During the spin-only cycle the water level should drop and the drum should spin without OE reappearing. On a front loader, the humming from the pump is a sign that it has started. Check the residual water hose cap and the filter cap for drips once the cycle ends. If OE returns, LG USA says the unit "will require a repair service"; LG UK gives its support line, 0344 847 5454, for help.

Model and region variants

• Top load vs front load. The 13-minute drain timing and the 8-minute DR time-out come from LG USA's top-load page. The filter procedure with the large cap and residual water hose comes from LG UK and LG USA front-load guidance. Your machine's layout may differ.
• Other codes for the same fault. LG USA's front-load list says "An OE/E03/E21 error code indicates the washing machine is unable to drain the water". If your display shows one of the other two, the same checks apply.
• Images and wording. LG USA notes that its guide "was created for all models, so the images or content may be different from your product". Your owner's manual has the exact filter position for your model.

OE is the opposite fault to a fill code: on a Samsung washer, water that will not come in shows as 4C or 4E, covered on the Samsung 4C page. Dishwashers have their own drain fault, explained on the Bosch E24 page, and a lint-blocked tumble dryer is covered on the Samsung dryer HE page.

The two causes LG names for OE are both within reach: a kink or clog in the drain hose, or foreign material and residue in the pump filter. Once those are clear and the machine still will not drain, LG's guidance is to book a repair rather than open the machine.