LE1 — Locked motor (overload or rotor jam)

How to fix it

1. Cancel the cycle, open the door, and remove half the load — try again with a smaller load.
2. Spin the drum by hand with power off. Smooth and free = electrical; stiff or grinding = mechanical (bearing or trapped object).
3. If motor is hot to the touch on the back, unplug for 30 minutes and let it cool.
4. Pull the washer out, remove the back access panel, and inspect harness at the rotor for chafing or loose plugs.
5. Test the rotor position sensor with a multimeter on pins 1 and 5 — should read 9,000-10,000 Ω.
6. If RPS is out of spec, replace it (typically ~$25 part).
7. If drum is mechanically stiff, suspect a worn tub bearing — call for service; this is not a casual DIY job.

Why it happens

Typical signs: LE1 on the display · Drum won't spin or spins very slowly · Motor hums then quits · Often appears with heavy or wet loads

• Overloaded wash Too much laundry — especially heavy wet items — exceeds the motor's torque budget.
• Foreign object jammed between tub and drum Coins, bra wires, or socks wedged in the gap stop the basket.
• Motor overheated Back-to-back heavy cycles trip the thermal protector — needs 30 minutes to reset.
• Failed rotor position (Hall) sensor RPS reads 9-10kΩ between pins 1 and 5 when healthy; out-of-range = replace.
• Damaged motor wiring or connector Chafed harness behind the rotor shorts or opens, faking a locked motor.
• Worn tub bearing Seized bearings make the basket extremely hard to spin.

Parts you may need

If diagnosis points to a failed part, these are the common replacements. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Rotor position sensor (Hall sensor) Common replacement
  Amazon →
• Drive motor / stator Common replacement
  Amazon →

More LG washer codes

All LG codes → All washer codes →