LG PE washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What PE actually means

Your LG washing machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk under- or overfilling.

The water level is measured by a pressure switch. As the drum fills, air trapped in a small pressure bowl at the bottom of the machine is squeezed up a thin pipe to the switch, which reads the level from that air pressure. If the reading doesn't change as expected, or doesn't make sense, the control board flags PE and halts the cycle \u2014 usually part way through filling, or when it should be deciding the drum is empty enough to spin.

What PE looks like on a LG washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a LG washing machine, PE usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

The pressure switch itself has failed or gone out of calibration
The thin air pipe between the pressure bowl and the switch is blocked, split or has slipped off
Sludge or debris in the sump hose or pressure bowl blocking the air passage
Poor connection at the pressure switch or a control board fault

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart a short cycle \u2014 the odd one-off reading does clear.
Clean out the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine; a drum that won't empty properly can make the level reading look wrong.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, and that the end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.

Common questions about LG PE

What does PE mean on a LG washing machine?

Your LG washing machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk under- or overfilling. The water level is measured by a pressure switch. As the drum fills, air trapped in a small pressure bowl at the bottom of the machine is squeezed up a thin pipe to the switch, which reads the level from that air pressure. If the reading doesn't change as expected, or doesn't make sense, the control board flags PE and halts the cycle \u2014 usually part way through filling, or when it should be deciding the drum is empty enough to spin.

Can I fix LG PE myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart a short cycle \u2014 the odd one-off reading does clear.
Clean out the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine; a drum that won't empty properly can make the level reading look wrong.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, and that the end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair LG PE?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing PE?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other LG washing machine codes

All LG fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

LG PE error — washing machine