LG Washer SE Error Code: Sensor & Motor Troubleshooting Guide

Discover what triggers the SE code (sometimes mistaken as 5E) on LG front and top-load washers. From the Hall Sensor (RPS) to control board failures, we show you how to fix it yourself. Don’t confuse the LG SE code with a drain error. Follow our guide to diagnose motor sensor failures, wiring issues, and how to perform a 5-minute hard reset.

Quick Fix Checklist for the SE Error

Adding this “Quick Fix” section at the top of your blog will improve user retention for those looking for an immediate answer:

• The 5-Minute Hard Reset: Turn off the washer and unplug it from the wall. Press and hold the Start/Pause button for 5 seconds while it’s unplugged. Plug it back in and try a “Spin Only” cycle.
• Check the Display: Look closely at the code. If it is an LG, it is a Sensor Error (SE). If you are seeing this on a Samsung, it is a Drain Error (5E). These require completely different repairs!
• Spin Test: Turn the power off and try to rotate the drum by hand. If it spins smoothly, the problem is likely an electronic sensor (Hall Sensor). If it’s physically stuck, you may have a mechanical motor failure.
• Secure the Connections: Vibration over time can loosen the wiring harness on the back of the motor. Ensure the plug at the back of the stator is pushed in all the way.

What The SE Code Means On Your LG Washer

Suppose you’re faced with an SE error code (sometimes mistaken as 5E) on your LG washer. If that’s the case, then the washer is experiencing a motor sensor error.

In an LG washing machine, the Hall Sensor (also known as the RPS or Rotor Position Sensor) is a small, plastic electronic component that sits directly on the stator. It’s designed to sense the speed of the drum at any time and supply that information to the main control board, which then adjusts the speed of the drum as needed.

When this sensor fails, the control board loses track of the drum’s movement, causing the motor to stutter, shake, or stop entirely, which triggers the SE error code. Because the Hall Sensor is sensitive to the constant vibrations of the spin cycle, its internal circuitry can crack or the wiring harness can simply wiggle loose over time.

In the following sections, we will look at the three most likely reasons behind the SE code on your washing machine, namely the sensor itself, wiring problems, and a fault at the main control board.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

There is a likelihood that the SE error code on your washing machine is only a temporary error. So, before assuming that there’s a fault with any of its components, here are some initial troubleshooting steps you can take:

• Firstly, turn off the washing machine’s power at the source (i.e. remove its plug from the wall socket).
• Then, wait for one minute.
• Lastly, reconnect the washer to its power source.

If the error is temporary, then the SE error code will disappear after you’ve taken these steps. However, if the error persists or returns, you will need to troubleshoot the matter further by following the steps described below.

Possible Causes And Solutions

Here are the most likely causes behind the SE code on your LG washing machine and what you can do to resolve them.

Hall Sensor Problem (RPS)

What it is: As mentioned earlier, the SE error code on an LG washer refers to a sensor error. The sensor in question is the Hall sensor attached towards the rear of the washer drum’s exterior.

How it fails: When the Hall sensor becomes problematic, it will not sense the washer drum’s movement. As a result, it cannot supply the main control board with data, and the washer cannot decide whether or not it should turn the drum or how fast it should do that.

So, what happens is that the washer will not spin the drum at all and instead display the SE error code.

How to fix it:

Visual Inspection: Look for any visible cracks in the plastic or any loose pins in the wiring connector. Ensure the wire connectors are firmly in place.

Test with a multimeter: Set your multimeter to the 20k Ohm setting. Test the resistance between the ground pin and the two signal pins. You should generally see a reading between 8k and 15k Ohms. If the circuit is “Open” (no reading) or significantly outside that range, the sensor is defective.

Wiring Problems

The Wiring Harness: Sometimes the sensor is fine, but the wires leading to it have rubbed against the vibrating tub and frayed. Inspect the entire length of the harness for any exposed copper.

The inside of your LG washer is home to incredible lengths of wiring. When troubleshooting the SE error code, the wiring you’ll want to pay attention to is that between the motor and the main control board.

How it fails: Another likely issue here is that the components are in good working order, though the wiring that connects all of them is the part at fault. Here are two possibilities:

• The connections might be loose at either the motor or the main control board.
• The wiring might be damaged in some way, e.g. torn or burnt

How to fix it: Fixing this issue will require a close inspection of your washer’s wiring, particularly between the motor and the control board. Before you begin, make sure that you’ve disconnected the washer from the power source for safety reasons. Then, you can remove the washer’s panels to gain access to the wiring.

Firstly, ensure that the connections at both ends are firmly in place. Then, inspect the length of the wire for any damaged wiring. If you do find any signs of damage, the best solution is to replace the wires entirely.

Faulty Main Control Board

What it is: The main control board is responsible for coordinating the functions of all your LG washer’s components. In addition, the board itself has several tiny components, some of which are directly responsible for the motor and sensor functions.

How it fails: When the main control board fails, it’s most likely due to excessive wear or because of an electrical fault. For example, if the machine has been in use for many years, components on the main control board could stop working as they should.

Besides that, electrical faults like a power surge or a short circuit could also damage one or more components on the control board.

If any of these problems affect the components related to the motor or sensor, the SE error code could be triggered.

How to fix it: The best solution for a faulty main control board is to replace it entirely. To do this, you’ll need to locate the main control board housing inside the washer.

Then, it’s best to take a photo of all the electrical connectors before you remove them. Doing so will make it much easier to replace them the same way when you install the new control board.

Once you’ve removed the old control board, you can mount the new one in its place and replace all the electrical connectors by referring to that photo you took earlier.

How To Clear The SE Error Code On Your LG Washer

It’s possible to clear the SE error code on your LG washer by performing a reset. However, the code will return unless the root cause of the problem has been resolved. So, start by troubleshooting the issue following the steps mentioned above.

Once that’s done, you can then perform a reset following the steps below.

How To Reset An LG Washer

Resetting your LG washer is very straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Start by turning the machine off at its power source. That means you’ll need to remove the plug from the wall socket or shut off the dedicated circuit breaker if necessary.
• Then, press and hold the Start/Pause button for 5 seconds.
• Once that time has passed, you can then reconnect the washer to its power source.

At that point, you have performed a reset of your washer, and the code will be cleared.

How To Test Your LG Washer After Fixing It

After you’ve fixed the issue, you’ll undoubtedly want to test your LG washer to make sure that it’s in good working order. There are two ways you can do so.

The first method is to run a complete wash program from start to finish. That way, you will see for yourself whether the washer is working correctly and if any error codes will appear.

However, a more thorough way to test your washer is to enter its diagnostics or test mode, the same way a technician would.

How To Enter Diagnostics Mode On Your LG Washer

To enter diagnostics mode on your LG washer, start by putting the machine on Standby. That means the machine should be connected to its power supply, though the washer is turned off at its control panel. 

Once that’s done, follow these steps:

• Firstly, press and hold the Spin Speed and Soil Level buttons simultaneously.
• Then, while you’re pressing those two buttons, press the Power button as well. The washer will play a ‘ding’ sound twice to let you know that you’ve entered diagnostics mode.
• From here, your LG washer will test individual functions, one at a time. You can cycle through each test stage by pressing the Start/Pause button.
• Should there be an error during any test stage, you will see an error code appear.

Once you’ve cycled through all the tests and reached the end, the washer will then shut off. That will let you know you’ve completed the diagnostics mode for your LG washer.

LG Washing Machine Error Codes

The table below has common codes. Be sure to click on the links for more detailed repairs.

• IE + OE are the most common (water supply or drainage issues).
• UE often resolves by redistributing laundry.
• CL simply means Child Lock is on — hold the Child Lock button for 3 seconds to turn it off.