LG Dryer tE1 Error Code: What It Means and How to Fix It

By Dan Mercer · Published October 5, 2026 · Updated October 6, 2026 · Codes covered: tE1, tE2, tE3, tE4, tE5, tE6 · Sources

A tE1 code on an LG dryer means the dryer has detected a problem with its thermistor, the temperature sensor that keeps the heat in check. LG's first fix is a simple control reset, and it often works. If tE1 keeps coming back after the reset, LG says the dryer needs repair service.

LG groups tE1 through tE6 together as thermistor errors, so the reset below applies to all of them. tE2 has its own cold-weather cause, covered in its own section.

This 3-minute fix saved 0 homeowners a technician visit this month.

What the tE1 code means

LG says a tE1 error code "indicates a problem was detected with the dryer's thermistor." The thermistor is a small temperature sensor. LG describes it as the part that "helps maintain desired temperature inside the dryer."

The dryer constantly checks the sensor's reading. If the reading is missing, impossible, or out of the expected range, the control stops and shows a tE code instead of guessing at the temperature.

LG's newer error code list puts tE1, tE2, tE3, tE4, tE5 and tE6 under one heading: "A tE error code on the display of the dryer indicates a problem was detected with the dryer's thermistor." LG's main error code list adds that tE4 points to the temperature in the unit being out of range. LG doesn't publish a separate meaning for each number, and which tE codes your dryer can show depends on the model.

tE2 is a little different. LG says tE2 is a thermistor problem "normally during cold conditions." It can show up during SteamFresh, Steam Sanitary or a Steam option when the duct cools down too quickly. LG says it usually happens when cold outside air comes back into the dryer through an open exhaust vent.

One LG owner's manual is blunter. It lists "Display shows error code tE1 or tE2" with the cause "Thermistor is malfunctioning" and the fix "Turn off the dryer and call for service." Try the reset first, as LG's support pages recommend, but take that as a sign that a repeat code usually means a repair.

Look-alike codes: d80 (and d90/d95) is an exhaust blockage warning, not a sensor fault. nP means no current reaches the heater. Both can make a dryer run cool or slow, but the fixes are different.

Likely causes (most common first)

1. A temporary control glitch, which LG's reset is designed to clear.
2. Cold outside air backing into the dryer (tE2). LG points to vent flaps that are stuck open, frozen or blocked by snow, especially in winter and on steam cycles.
3. Lint or a restricted vent affecting airflow past the sensor. LG's tE2 steps start with the lint filter and outside vent.
4. A failed thermistor. LG's owner's manual lists a malfunctioning thermistor as the cause of tE1 and tE2.
5. A loose or damaged sensor connector or wire. Repair guides check the thermistor harness for heat damage.
6. A control board problem. This is rare and needs a technician to confirm.

How to fix it, step by step

Run a normal cycle after each step to see if the code clears.

1. Turn the dryer off.
2. Remove the power. Unplug the dryer, or turn off its circuit breaker.
3. Hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds while the power is off.
4. Restore power and start a cycle. If the tE code doesn't return, you're done.
5. Clean the lint filter. LG says to remove lint between loads, and to clean the screen with warm water and a soft brush. Let it dry completely before you put it back.
6. Check the outside vent. Find the exhaust hood outside your home.
   • Run the Air Dry cycle. LG says the flaps should open fully.
   • Turn the dryer off. The flaps should close again. If they stay open, cold air can get back in.
   • Clear any lint, snow, frost or ice around the hood.
7. For tE2 on a steam cycle, follow LG's warm-up tip. Run the dryer empty on a different cycle for a few minutes. Or select SteamFresh, press More Time until Big (bulky) shows, and press Start.
8. Repeat the reset once more if the code comes back right away.
9. Request LG service if the code persists. LG says the unit may then need a repair.

Test the part

Only try this if the reset and vent checks haven't helped and you're comfortable removing a panel. You'll need a multimeter. Where the thermistor sits varies by model, so check your model's wiring diagram or tech sheet first.

1. Unplug the dryer. On a gas model, also turn off the gas valve before moving it.
2. Find the thermistor. On the LG model in iFixit's no-heat guide, it's on the blower housing, reached by removing the top panel, control panel and front of the dryer. Yours may differ.
3. Photograph the wires, then unclip the thermistor's connector by its housing, not the wires.
4. Look first. Check for burnt, melted or loose connectors and scorched wires.
5. Set your meter to ohms and measure across the thermistor's two wires.
   • Thrifty Appliance Parts says a good thermistor shows a resistance reading right away at room temperature.
   • Warm the sensor gently with a hair dryer, as Thrifty suggests. The reading should drop as it heats up.
   • No reading (OL), or a reading that doesn't change with temperature, means the thermistor has likely failed.
6. Compare with published values only as a rough guide:

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

1. Stop and call a pro if you can't reach the sensor, aren't sure which connector it is, or the thermistor tests fine and the code still returns. That points to wiring or the control board.

Never test with the dryer plugged in.

Safety notes

When to call a pro

Request LG service or call an appliance technician if:

• The tE code returns after the 5-second reset, done at least twice. LG says the unit may require repair service at that point.
• tE2 keeps returning even though the vent flaps open and close freely and the lint filter is clean.
• You'd need to remove the front or top panel to reach the thermistor and you don't own a multimeter or haven't done that before.
• The thermistor tests fine but the code persists. Wiring and board diagnosis needs live testing, which isn't a DIY job.
• Your dryer is under warranty. Check the terms before opening any panels.

You can reach LG support through lg.com/us/support or at 1-800-243-0000, as listed on LG's contact page.

FAQ

Related

• tE1 in the LG dryer error codes table
• d75, d80, d90, d95 – vent blocked (look-alike code)
• nP – no heater current (look-alike code)
• LG Dryer d80 Error Code
• LG Dryer nP Error Code
• Bosch Dryer DR Error Code
• Insignia Dryer C9 Error Code
• Samsung Dryer 3C Error Code
• Samsung Dryer dC Error Code
• All dryer error code guides