What should I check first for LG washer error tE?

Reset the washer: unplug it for at least 10 seconds, hold start/pause for five seconds, then restore power and start a cycle.

What usually causes LG washer error tE?

The drum thermistor (temperature sensor) is defective

tEMedium

LG washer error tE

Heating error — usually the thermistor

Symptom
tE
Free checks
2 checks
Then the part
The drum thermistor (temperature sensor) is defective

The 2 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
Reset the washer: unplug it for at least 10 seconds, hold start/pause for five seconds, then restore power and start a cycle.
02
Unplug the washer and check the wiring connections on the drum thermistor, then measure its resistance — about 40,000 ohms at 85°F (29°C).

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
The drum thermistor (temperature sensor) is defective	Most common	Call a pro
The heating element is damaged	Common	Call a pro

Before you check anything

Disconnect the power first. Unplug the machine at the socket, or switch off its circuit at the consumer unit if it is hard-wired. Do this before opening any panel, reaching into a pump filter, or moving the appliance.
Turn off the water before disconnecting a hose, and have a towel and a shallow tray ready — a drain hose holds water even when the drum looks empty.
Gas, mains wiring and sealed refrigeration are for a qualified professional — in many countries that is a legal requirement, not advice. If you smell gas, do not touch any switch: leave, and call your gas emergency number from outside.
Stop if you smell burning, see scorched wiring, or find water near an electrical connection. None of those is a code to look up.

The checks on this page are the manufacturer’s own, rewritten and sourced, and they are reference information rather than a repair instruction for your particular machine. Model, age and installation all change what is safe to do. You are the one standing in front of it — if a step looks wrong for the machine you have, trust that and call a technician.