LG Washing Machine Error E3: What It Means and How to Fix It
Short answer
E3 on a LG washing machine means: A problem with the operation of the drain motor; can also occur when water inside has frozen. First step: Unplug, reconnect and retry.
Drain motor (top-load)
How to fix it
- 1Unplug, reconnect and retry.
- 2If cold: thaw the tub and drain hose with warm water (50–60 °C), wait 1–2 h, run spin.
- 3If the code persists, contact LG customer service.
Safety
- Use warm water, not boiling water (burn hazard).
When to call a professional: If it recurs or is unrelated to freezing – request service.
Applies to: LG top-load washers
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Source
Based on LG's official error code information: LG AT (DE) – [LG Toplader-Waschmaschine] Fehlercode-Liste. Last checked 2026-10-28. Codes and their meaning can differ by model and region; check your appliance's manual.
Frequently asked questions
What does LG washing machine error code E3 mean?
A problem with the operation of the drain motor; can also occur when water inside has frozen.
How do I fix E3 on a LG washing machine?
Unplug, reconnect and retry. If cold: thaw the tub and drain hose with warm water (50–60 °C), wait 1–2 h, run spin. If the code persists, contact LG customer service.
When should I call a technician for E3?
If it recurs or is unrelated to freezing – request service.