Error codes › Dryer › LG
LG Dryer tE1 Error Code
Temperature sensor
Applies to: All digital display Electric and Gas dryers. May also appear as tE2, tE3.
What's going on
On LG dryers, tE1 means the dryer has found a problem with a temperature sensor, called a thermistor. This often happens after the dryer overheats, and overheating is a fire risk. Stop using the dryer, unplug it or switch off its breaker, and have a qualified appliance technician look at it.
Your dryer uses thermistors to read the temperature of the air inside it. The control board uses those readings to turn the heat on and off. If a sensor reading is missing or makes no sense, the board shows a tE code and stops the cycle. The open or shorted sensor can be the exhaust/blower thermistor (tE1), the heater thermistor (tE2), or the condenser thermistor (tE3).
This matters because the dryer can no longer tell how hot it is getting. These errors are often triggered after the dryer overheats, usually because the vent is clogged with lint. Lint buildup plus too much heat is a common cause of dryer fires.
This code applies to all LG electric and gas dryers with a digital display. Codes can differ between model generations, so confirm the meaning with your model number, found on the label inside the door or on the back.
Likely causes
- dryer thermistor (temperature sensor) — The sensor itself can fail open or shorted, often after overheating. The control board then gets a bad reading and shows the tE code.
- high-limit thermostat — This safety part cuts the heat if the dryer gets too hot. If it has tripped or failed after an overheat, the heating circuit and sensor readings can be affected.
- wire harness — A loose, burned, or damaged wire between the sensor and the control board can look like a failed sensor. Heat from an overheat can damage these wires.
The same code can mean different things on different model generations. Check the model number on your dryer's rating plate before ordering parts.
Can you fix it yourself?
Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
When to call a technician
Because this code can point to overheating and a fire risk, stop using the dryer, keep it unplugged or switched off at the breaker, and call a qualified appliance technician. Ask them to also inspect the exhaust vent and duct for lint buildup, since that is a common reason the dryer overheated.
What the repair usually costs
This is not a quote. Prices vary by region and by model.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $500, about half the price of a typical new dryer.
A typical new dryer costs about $800–$1,200.
Common questions
- What does tE1 mean on a LG dryer?
- tE1 means: Temperature sensor. The most likely parts involved are dryer thermistor (temperature sensor), high-limit thermostat, wire harness.
- Is it safe to keep using the dryer?
- This code can mean the appliance is overheating. Turn it off at the circuit breaker (or unplug it if you can do so safely) and call a qualified technician. Do not try to diagnose or repair this yourself.
- How much does it cost to fix tE1?
- A typical heating element replacement costs about $150–$350 nationally, parts and labor included. This is a reference range, not a quote — local prices vary.
- Should I repair or replace my dryer?
- Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $500, about half the price of a typical new dryer.
- Can I fix tE1 myself?
- Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
- Can I keep using my LG dryer with a tE1 code?
- No. The dryer cannot properly read its temperature, and the code often follows overheating. Leave it unplugged or switched off at the breaker until a qualified appliance technician has checked it.
- What is the difference between tE1, tE2, and tE3 on an LG dryer?
- All three are temperature sensor errors. tE1 points to the exhaust/blower thermistor, tE2 to the heater thermistor, and tE3 to the condenser thermistor. Check your model number to confirm which sensors your dryer has.