LG Washing Machine Error Code HE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026

⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Also shown as: HE1, HE2

Heater error — water heater circuit fault

The most common cause of the HE error on a LG washing machine is heating element open circuit (~50% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $20–$110 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$400 Save $180+ by doing it yourself

LG Washing Machine error code HE on the display panel — How the HE code appears on a LG washing machine display

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

Heater error — water heater circuit fault.

HE fires when the control board monitors the heating circuit and finds no expected response: the element draws no current (open circuit) or the NTC thermistor reports no temperature rise within the allotted time. The board reads this as a failed heat request and disables steam/sanitize functions while letting the wash continue unheated. This distinguishes HE from tE, which flags an out-of-range or shorted thermistor reading rather than an absent heating response.

Models affected: LG front-load washers with an internal heater for steam and sanitary cycles, including models such as WM3900HWA, WM4000HBA, WM4500HBA, and WM8100HVA

What owners report: Owners commonly report HE appearing only when a steam or sanitary cycle begins, while normal cold or warm washes finish fine. A one-time glitch sometimes clears after a power cycle, but if it returns each time a heated cycle starts, the element or thermistor usually needs testing.

What Causes Error Code HE?

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

1

Heating element open circuit 50% of cases
2

Thermistor (NTC) failure 25% of cases
3

Heater wiring/connector loose 15% of cases
4

Control board heater relay fault 10% of cases

How to Fix LG Washing Machine Error Code HE

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Est. time: 1–3 hours

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Power cycle

Unplug the washer for 10 minutes. A transient HE from a one-time heating glitch may clear.
2

Test the heating element

Access the element at the base of the tub and check continuity — an open element reads OL.

🔩 Multimeter 🔩 LG washer heating element ($40–$110)

⚠️ Unplug before accessing the element.
3

Test the thermistor

Check the NTC sensor resistance — should read roughly 10k ohms at room temperature.

🔩 LG washer thermistor ($20–$45)

How to Reset Error Code HE

Unplug 10 minutes and restart. If HE returns when a heated cycle begins, the element or thermistor needs testing.

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 element and thermistor both test good but HE persists, the control board heater relay has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$400

Related Error Codes

Thermistor error — water temperature sensor reading out of range

⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

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

Samsung Washing Machine HE

Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature

Samsung Dryer HE

Heater fault — drum not heating or overheating

Samsung Dishwasher HE

Heater error — water not heating

GE Appliances Dishwasher HE

Heater circuit failure — no continuity through the heating element

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 tCL Tub clean reminder — drum needs cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my LG Washing Machine when error HE appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the heating issue behind HE will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes HE on a LG Washing Machine? +

Across reported LG washing machine repairs, the most frequent is heating element open circuit (50% of cases), thermistor (NTC) failure (25%), then heater wiring/connector loose (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

HE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored HE fault; if it returns, the heating problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then test the heating element — 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 HE? +

A DIY repair typically runs $20–$110 in parts, versus $200–$400 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $180. Expect the work to take 1–3 hours.

Which LG Washing Machine models show error HE? +

HE is documented on LG front-load washers with an internal heater for steam and sanitary cycles, including models such as WM3900HWA, WM4000HBA, WM4500HBA, and WM8100HVA. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• LG Support — Help Library — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

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

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