SE Error Code On Your LG Washing Machine? (here’s why & what to do)

Many washing machine manufacturers use error codes to indicate faults detected in their appliances. These error codes are displayed on the LED screen and give technicians an indication of the area of the appliance that the fault lies.

Some error codes are more precise than others and if you own a LG washing machine which is displaying the SE error code it indicates that there’s a problem with the motor. To find out more, keep reading.

What Does The SE Error Code Mean On A LG Washing Machine?

If the SE error code is displayed on your LG washing machine it indicates one of two things. Which are;

1. There’s a fault detected with the motor
2. There’s a fault with the printed circuit board (PCB)

This isn’t very helpful to the average DIYer as both of these parts are expensive and in theory at least, only one of them has a problem. If your LG washing machine is displaying the SE error code, I recommend contacting LG directly by going to their website or calling 0344 847 5454 if your appliance is still under warranty.

If the warranty has expired, you should contact an independent washing machine technician to help you with this issue.

Motor Fault Detected On LG Washing Machine

The SE error code could indicate a motor fault and the LG guide to error codes says that you should “try the motor first” and if you’re going to tackle this problem yourself, keep reading to find out exactly where the fault could lie.

Faulty Connections Between The Motor & The Main PCB

The main PCB or printed circuit board sends messages to every component of the appliance. These messages travel through a series of electrical wires and circuits.

If one of these connections is blocked by a broken or shorted wire, the messages will not get through and the SE error code will be displayed. As there are so many wires and connections, finding the damaged one can be difficult.

Which is why I recommend contacting a technician to do it for you.

Motor Tacho Fault

The motor tachometer detects the speed of the drum during the spin cycle. If the motor tacho develops a fault there’s a strong possibility that the washing machine will not spin or even start a cycle.

You can replace the motor tacho if it proves to be faulty. Below is a video showing how to replace the motor tacho.

As you can see from the video, this is quite an intricate procedure. I recommend getting a qualified washing machine technician or competent electrician to replace the motor tacho for you.

It should also be noted that dismantling your washing machine in this way will almost certainly void any warranty. If your washer is still under warranty, contact LG directly.

Main PCB Fault

The main printed circuit board (PCB) on a LG washing machine controls pretty much every function performed by the appliance. In some cases, the problem which has led to the SE error code being displayed is simply an electrical fault or software glitch.

This can often be solved by performing a reset which simply involves disconnecting the power supply by removing the plug or flipping the circuit breaker to the off position. You then need to press and hold the start/pause button for 5 seconds and then turn the power back on.

If this doesn’t work, you should turn the power supply off and leave the power off for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows any residual power to discharge. Then reconnect the power supply and the error code should be gone and the appliance will work as normal again.

However, if the fault remains and you’re sure there’s nothing wrong with the motor tacho or the connections between the PCB and the motor, you may need to replace the PCB.

Whilst replacing the PCB looks like a fairly straightforward task, these printed circuit boards are notoriously easy to damage. Which is why I recommend contacting a technician to investigate and replace the PCB if necessary.

SEE ALSO: LG Washing Machine Troubleshooting [Full Guide]

Frequently Asked Questions