Samsung Washing Machine Error Code LE
Motor locked — drum cannot rotate
The most common cause of the LE error on a Samsung washing machine is drum overloaded with too much laundry (~40% of cases); start with: reduce the load.
What Does Error Code LE Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?
Motor locked — drum cannot rotate.
The motor control board monitors drum rotation via the hall (position) sensor and the current the motor draws. LE (also shown as 11E) fires when the board commands rotation but detects little or no movement while current spikes, indicating a stalled or locked motor. It differs from spin or drain faults: rather than an unbalanced or undrained load, the control sees the motor physically unable to turn, whether from an overload, a mechanical jam, worn brushes, or a bad hall sensor.
What Causes Error Code LE?
Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:
- 1 Drum overloaded with too much laundry 40% of cases
- 2 Foreign object (bra wire, sock) jammed between drum and tub 30% of cases
- 3 Worn or failed motor brushes (older models) 15% of cases
- 4 Hall sensor (motor position sensor) failure 10% of cases
- 5 Faulty motor control board 5% of cases
How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code LE
- 1
Reduce the load
Turn off the washer. Remove several items from the drum and try restarting. LE from overloading is very common.
- 2
Check for foreign objects
Slowly rotate the drum by hand. If it feels stuck, remove all laundry and check around the drum gasket seal for items caught in the space between drum and door seal.
- 3
Reset the washer
Unplug for 5 minutes, then restart. If the motor stalled from a momentary overload, this may clear it.
- 4
Inspect motor brushes (top-load models)
On older top-load Samsung models, the motor brushes wear down and cause stalling. If you hear the motor trying to start but failing, brushes are likely worn.
🔩 Samsung motor brush set ($20–$50)⚠️ Requires accessing the motor — unplug first. - 5
Replace the hall sensor or motor
If drum rotation is physically free but the error persists, test the hall sensor with a multimeter. If resistance is out of spec, replace it. As a last resort, the motor itself may need replacement.
🔩 Hall sensor ($15–$40) 🔩 Direct drive motor ($150–$300)
How to Reset Error Code LE
Unplug the washer for 5–10 minutes, remove excess laundry, then plug back in and restart.
Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.
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When to Call a Professional
If the drum is free, load is normal, and the error persists after power cycling, the motor or control board needs professional diagnosis.
Related Error Codes
Same Code on Other Brands
Error code LE appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows LE →
Find Replacement Parts
Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Samsung Washing Machine:
External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.
More Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error LE appears? +
What most commonly causes LE on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
LE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
How much does it cost to fix Samsung Washing Machine error LE? +
Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error LE? +
Sources & References
- • Samsung Support — Error Codes — official manufacturer documentation
- • Our editorial & verification policy
Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.