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LG Dryer Error Code tE3

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Thermistor error — drying temperature sensor out of range

The most common cause of the tE3 error on a LG dryer is thermistor failure (open/short) (~55% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$40 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$300 Save $135+ by doing it yourself
LG Dryer error code tE3 on the display panel
How the tE3 code appears on a LG dryer display

What Does Error Code tE3 Mean on a LG Dryer?

Thermistor error — drying temperature sensor out of range.

tE3 fires when the control board reads a drying thermistor value outside its expected resistance window, indicating an open, shorted, or disconnected sensor circuit. Because the board can no longer trust the temperature feedback, it halts the cycle to avoid unsafe over- or under-heating. Unlike tE4, which flags a second temperature sensor, tE3 isolates the primary thermistor near the blower housing — its wiring, connector, or the sensor itself rather than a heater or airflow fault.

Models affected: LG electric and gas dryers with electronic thermistor temperature control, including models such as DLEX3900W, DLE3500W, DLEX4500B, DLE7150W, and DLG3601W
What owners report: Owners commonly report tE3 appearing at startup or partway through a cycle, sometimes after the dryer has been moved or serviced, which can loosen the thermistor connector. A brief unplug occasionally clears a transient glitch, but many find reseating the connector or swapping the inexpensive thermistor is the lasting quick win.

What Causes Error Code tE3?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Thermistor failure (open/short) 55% of cases
  2. 2
    Thermistor connector loose 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Wiring harness damaged 15% of cases
  4. 4
    Control board sensor input fault 5% of cases

How to Fix LG Dryer Error Code tE3

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Power cycle

    Unplug for 5 minutes — a transient sensor glitch may clear.

  2. 2

    Reseat the thermistor connector

    Locate the thermistor on the blower housing and reseat its connector.

  3. 3

    Test and replace the thermistor

    Check resistance against spec (varies by model). Out-of-range = replace.

    🔩 Multimeter 🔩 LG dryer thermistor ($15–$40)
    ⚠️ Unplug before accessing the blower housing.

How to Reset Error Code tE3

Unplug 5 minutes and restart. If tE3 returns, reseat then test the thermistor.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full LG dryer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

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When to Call a Professional

If a new thermistor and clean wiring don't resolve tE3, the control board sensor input has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$300

Related Error Codes

tE4
Thermistor error — secondary/outlet temperature sensor fault
⚠ High Severity
HS
Humidity sensor error — moisture sensing failure
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code tE3 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows tE3 →

Samsung logo
Samsung Dryer tE
Thermistor (temperature sensor) failure
Samsung logo
Samsung Washing Machine tE3
Condenser/steam temperature sensor error

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your LG Dryer:

🔩
Search PartSelect
LG Dryer repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More LG Dryer Error Codes

D80 Duct blockage detected — exhaust duct 80% blocked D90 Duct blockage detected — exhaust duct 90% blocked D95 Duct blockage detected — exhaust duct 95% blocked F9 Thermistor failure — temperature sensor not reading CL Child lock is active — controls are locked nP No power to the heating element

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my LG Dryer when error tE3 appears? +
It is not advisable. The dryer may still power on, but running it while tE3 is active can worsen the sensor fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes tE3 on a LG Dryer? +
Across reported LG dryer repairs, the most frequent is thermistor failure (open/short) (55% of cases), thermistor connector loose (25%), then wiring harness damaged (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
tE3 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored tE3 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then reseat the thermistor connector — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix LG Dryer error tE3? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$40 in parts, versus $150–$300 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $135. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which LG Dryer models show error tE3? +
tE3 is documented on LG electric and gas dryers with electronic thermistor temperature control, including models such as DLEX3900W, DLE3500W, DLEX4500B, DLE7150W, and DLG3601W. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

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