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LG Washing Machine Error Code dHE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 11, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY

Dry heater error — drying heater fault (washer-dryer combo models)

The most common cause of the dHE error on a LG washing machine is drying heater element failed open (~35% of cases); start with: clean the drying duct.

💰 DIY cost: $8–$110 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $180–$350 Save $172+ by doing it yourself
LG Washing Machine error code dHE on the display panel
How the dHE code appears on a LG washing machine display

What Does Error Code dHE Mean on a LG Washing Machine?

Dry heater error — drying heater fault (washer-dryer combo models).

The dHE code fires when the control board monitoring the dry phase sees the condensing/drying heater fail to raise air temperature within the expected time, or when the duct thermistor reads outside its valid resistance range. Unlike tE, which flags a general wash-water temperature sensor fault, dHE is specific to the drying circuit — an open heater element, tripped thermal fuse, or airflow starved by lint. Wash functions typically continue; only the dry portion aborts and reports the fault.

Models affected: LG washer-dryer combo units with an integrated drying heater, such as the WM3900HWA and WM4000HBA ventless combo series; standard washers without a dry cycle do not throw this code
What owners report: Owners commonly report dHE appearing part-way through or at the start of the dry phase while wash cycles still finish normally. A thorough lint cleanout of the intake and condensing duct is the most frequent quick win, since restricted airflow can trip the thermal cutoff and mimic a failed heater.

What Causes Error Code dHE?

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

  1. 1
    Drying heater element failed open 35% of cases
  2. 2
    Duct thermistor out of range 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Lint-clogged condensing duct limiting airflow 25% of cases
  4. 4
    Thermal fuse or cutoff tripped 15% of cases

How to Fix LG Washing Machine Error Code dHE

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Est. time: 1–3 hours
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Clean the drying duct

    Unplug the unit and clean lint from the air intake, condensing duct, and any accessible filter — restricted airflow overheats and trips the circuit.

  2. 2

    Test the dry heater and thermal cutoff

    With power disconnected, measure continuity across the drying heater and its thermal fuse; an open reading on either confirms the failure.

    🔩 LG combo dry heater assembly ($50–$110) 🔩 Thermal fuse ($8–$20)
    ⚠️ Mains-voltage heating circuit — unplug the washer before testing.
  3. 3

    Replace the duct thermistor

    If the heater and fuse test good, measure and replace the duct temperature sensor.

    🔩 LG thermistor ($12–$30)

How to Reset Error Code dHE

Unplug for 10 minutes and restart a dry cycle. If a thermal fuse blew, find the airflow cause before replacing it.

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

Full LG washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the fuse keeps blowing after a thorough lint cleanout, a technician should check the blower and heater control relay.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $180–$350

Related Error Codes

tE
Thermistor error — water temperature sensor reading out of range
⚠ Medium Severity
tCL
Tub clean reminder — drum needs cleaning
✓ Low Severity

Find Replacement Parts

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

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

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

More LG Washing Machine Error Codes

OE Drainage error — water not draining within expected time UE Unbalanced load — cannot complete spin cycle IE Water inlet error — water not filling within expected time LE Motor locked — hall sensor or stator fault dE Door open or door lock failure FE Water overflow error — drum overfilling

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my LG Washing Machine when error dHE appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the heating issue behind dHE will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes dHE on a LG Washing Machine? +
Across reported LG washing machine repairs, the most frequent is drying heater element failed open (35% of cases), duct thermistor out of range (25%), then lint-clogged condensing duct limiting airflow (25%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
dHE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored dHE fault; if it returns, the heating problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — clean the drying duct, then test the dry heater and thermal cutoff — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is an advanced repair involving deeper disassembly or electrical testing.
How much does it cost to fix LG Washing Machine error dHE? +
A DIY repair typically runs $8–$110 in parts, versus $180–$350 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $172. Expect the work to take 1–3 hours.
Which LG Washing Machine models show error dHE? +
dHE is documented on LG washer-dryer combo units with an integrated drying heater, such as the WM3900HWA and WM4000HBA ventless combo series; standard washers without a dry cycle do not throw this code. 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: June 11, 2026.

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