LG washer — Error Code UE

What it means

The UE (Unbalanced Error) warning on an LG washer signals that the control board has sensed an uneven distribution of weight while the drum is spinning. The appliance tracks drum movement using the Rotor Position Sensor (Hall sensor) located on the stator. If the load isn't distributed properly, the drum experiences wobbling, resulting in erratic RPM readings. The control board attempts a recovery by adding water and agitating to shift the laundry (you might see a lowercase 'uE' during this process). If the system cannot stabilize after several attempts, it displays the hard 'UE' code and halts the cycle to prevent significant damage to the tub, internal bearings, or the suspension framework. While this is often just a matter of sorting your laundry correctly, a persistent UE code on an empty or balanced machine suggests a mechanical or sensor malfunction.

Likely Causes

1. 1
   Imbalanced or Overly Dense Loads

   Washing a single bulky item, such as a heavy blanket or bath mat, creates intense centrifugal force on one side of the drum, which triggers the RPS sensor.
2. 2
   Washer Not Level

   If the leveling legs aren't adjusted or tightened securely to your laundry room floor, the unit will shake during acceleration, causing the control board to incorrectly report an imbalance.
3. 3
   Degraded Suspension Rods or Shock Absorbers

   Top-load units rely on suspension rods, while front-loaders utilize shock absorbers. When these parts lose their ability to dampen movement, the tub will bounce violently during the spin cycle.
4. 4
   Defective Rotor Position Sensor (Hall Sensor)

   A failing Hall sensor transmits inconsistent RPM data to the control board, which can trigger an unbalanced error even when the drum is spinning smoothly.
5. 5
   Loose Rotor Nut

   The primary 24mm nut that holds the rotor to the tub shaft can loosen over time, allowing the rotor assembly to shift and wobble while spinning.

How to clear / reset

To clear the UE alert temporarily, hit the Start/Pause button to stop the cycle. Open the lid or door, manually untangle the clothes, and spread them evenly inside the drum before closing it. Hit Start to resume the spin. If the alert remains, shut off the machine and unplug it from the outlet for 5 minutes to perform a hard reset, then run a 'Rinse & Spin' cycle with an empty drum. If the machine triggers a UE code while completely empty, the issue is mechanical or sensor-related and will not clear until the faulty component is repaired.

Common replacement parts

FAQs