Not draining

This is a washing-machine fault guide. The code above comes from the washer display; it is not the model number. Model-gated checks for OE / E03 / E21 or water left in the drum.

Stop immediately for smoke, burning odor, sparking, violent movement, or water near electrical parts. Do not touch a wet plug.

Step 1 · Verify the appliance

Enter the complete model number

A brand and error code are not enough. Unsupported or mismatched models stop here.

Washer familyModel number

Step 3 · Cost decision

Repair, claim warranty, or replace?

This transparent heuristic starts only after safe checks and a real repair estimate. It never identifies a failed part.

Washer age (years)Written repair estimate ($)Comparable replacement, delivered ($)Warranty covers this failure?Same failure happened before?

Published rule: warranty coverage wins first. Otherwise the tool compares repair cost with delivered replacement cost, then uses age and repeat failure only as tie-breakers. It does not include energy savings, financing, sentimental value, or local disposal incentives.

Parts note

We may later earn a commission from clearly labeled links. For now, no part is recommended from an error code alone. Match the full model number and confirm the failed component first.

Affiliate placement reserved; editorial results do not change based on commission.

Primary sources

Check the evidence

Front Load Washer OE Error Code
LG USA Support · accessed 2026-09-16
LG states that OE indicates the washer cannot drain and lists a kinked hose or blocked drain filter among possible user-checkable causes.
Washer Error Code List
LG USA Support · accessed 2026-09-16
LG maps OE, IE, dE, and UE to drain, inlet, door, and unbalance conditions and separates procedures by washer type.
Recalls & Product Safety Warnings
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · accessed 2026-09-16
CPSC recall remedies can require immediate stop-use and supersede general troubleshooting.
Warranties
Federal Trade Commission · accessed 2026-09-16
The FTC advises consumers to read warranty coverage and use the required claim process before paying for repair.

Manufacturer pages cover broad product families. Your owner’s manual and recall notice control when they differ.