Quick Reference
- D80 / D90 / D95 — Exhaust duct blockage (lint buildup — fire hazard)
- CL — Child Lock active (hold lock button 3 seconds)
- tE / tE1–tE3 — Thermistor (temperature sensor) error
- PF — Power failure during cycle
- AE / AE1 — Communication error between boards
- Repair cost: $150–$350 | $89 diagnostic — waived with repair
LG dryers are among the most popular in the GTA, and their diagnostic error codes make it easier to identify problems before they become serious. Whether you have an LG electric dryer, a gas dryer, or an LG ventless heat pump dryer, this complete guide covers every error code, what causes it, and how to fix it safely.
LG Dryer Error Codes — Complete Table
The table below covers all LG dryer error codes for vented electric, gas, and ventless (heat pump and condenser) models. Note that some codes only appear on specific model types.
| Error Code | Meaning | Common Cause | Fix | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D80 | Exhaust duct 80% blocked | Lint buildup in duct, crushed or kinked duct hose | Clean lint filter; inspect and clean full exhaust duct run | DIY |
| D90 | Exhaust duct 90% blocked | Heavy lint buildup, birds' nests at exterior vent | Full duct cleaning required; check exterior vent flap opens freely | DIY |
| D95 | Exhaust duct 95% blocked — stop use | Near-complete blockage — fire risk | Stop dryer immediately; do not use until duct is fully cleaned | Stop Use First |
| CL | Child Lock active | Control Lock feature was activated | Hold Child Lock button 3 seconds to deactivate | DIY |
| PF | Power failure during cycle | Power outage or surge interrupted the cycle | Press Start/Pause to resume cycle, or select a new cycle | DIY |
| tE | Thermistor error | Temperature sensor failure | Reset dryer; professional thermistor testing and replacement if persistent | Pro |
| tE1 | Inlet thermistor open circuit | Thermistor wire break | Professional thermistor replacement required | Pro |
| tE2 | Inlet thermistor short circuit | Thermistor shorted | Professional thermistor replacement required | Pro |
| tE3 | Outlet thermistor error | Outlet temperature sensor failure | Professional outlet thermistor replacement required | Pro |
| AE / AE1 | Communication error (main board to display) | Wiring harness fault, control board failure | Reset dryer; professional board or harness service if persistent | Pro |
| HS | Humidity sensor error | Sensor strips coated with residue or sensor failure | Clean sensor bars with rubbing alcohol; replace sensor if persistent | Inspect First |
| FE | Frequency error (gas dryer) | Gas supply frequency issue or igniter fault | Professional gas dryer diagnosis required | Pro |
| dE | Door error | Door not closed properly, door switch failure | Close door firmly; check switch with multimeter; replace switch if faulty | Inspect First |
| HE | Heater relay error | Heating element relay failure on control board | Professional control board or heating element service required | Pro |
| nP | No power to heater (electric dryers) | One leg of 240V power supply missing (blown fuse or breaker) | Check breaker box — reset or replace 240V breaker; call electrician if needed | Inspect First |
How to Fix the Most Common LG Dryer Error Codes
D80 / D90 / D95 — Exhaust Duct Blockage
LG's Flow Sense technology monitors exhaust airflow on every cycle. The D-codes indicate how severely restricted the airflow is:
- Clean the lint filter after every single load. A clogged lint filter is the first and easiest fix.
- Inspect the exhaust hose at the back of the dryer. Check that the flexible or rigid duct is not crushed, kinked, or disconnected. In GTA homes, ducts often run through walls or ceilings — these can accumulate years of lint buildup.
- Clean the full duct run using a dryer vent cleaning brush kit (available at hardware stores). Insert the flexible brush from the exterior vent opening and work back toward the dryer.
- Check the exterior vent flap (usually on an exterior wall or roof). Make sure it opens freely when the dryer runs and is not blocked by ice, debris, or a bird's nest.
For long or complex duct runs (common in Toronto condos and older GTA homes), a professional dryer duct cleaning service may be needed for D90 and D95 codes.
CL — Child Lock
CL is not a fault — it indicates the control panel lock is active. To deactivate:
- Press and hold the Child Lock button for 3 seconds. On most LG dryers, this is a small button on the control panel, sometimes labelled with a lock icon.
- On models without a dedicated Child Lock button, press and hold the Dry Level and Temp buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
tE / tE1 / tE2 / tE3 — Thermistor Errors
The thermistor is an electronic temperature sensor that tells the dryer's control board how hot the air is. When a thermistor fails, the dryer cannot regulate temperature safely and stops the cycle.
Before calling for service, try a full power-cycle reset: press Power off, unplug for 60 seconds, plug back in, and press Power. If the tE code returns within the first cycle, the thermistor has failed and needs professional replacement. LG dryers typically have both an inlet and outlet thermistor — tE1 vs tE3 indicates which one is at fault.
AE / AE1 — Communication Error
This code means the main control board and the user interface (display) board are not communicating correctly. This can be caused by a loose wiring harness connector or a failed control board.
- Power-cycle reset: unplug for 60 seconds, then plug back in.
- If AE returns immediately, check that all wiring harness connectors are fully seated — this sometimes works loose from vibration on high-spin loads.
- If the wiring is secure and AE persists, one of the control boards has failed. This is a professional repair.
HS — Humidity Sensor Error
The humidity sensor inside the LG dryer drum uses two small metal bars to detect moisture levels in the clothes. Over time, these bars become coated with fabric softener or dryer sheet residue, causing false readings.
- Open the dryer door and locate the two metal sensor bars on the inside front of the drum (they look like two parallel horizontal strips).
- Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and wipe both bars firmly to remove residue buildup.
- Run a test cycle. If HS clears, regular cleaning of the sensor bars will prevent recurrence.
- If HS persists after cleaning, the sensor assembly needs professional replacement.
nP — No Power to Heater
LG electric dryers run on 240V, which is delivered as two separate 120V "legs" from your breaker panel. If one leg trips or a fuse blows, the dryer motor may run (enough for one leg to power it) but the heating element will not heat — and nP appears.
- Go to your electrical panel and locate the double-pole breaker for the dryer. Turn it fully off, then back on.
- If the breaker trips again immediately or the nP code returns, there is an electrical fault in the circuit or the dryer's heating element has failed and is drawing too much current. Call a certified technician.
LG Electric vs Gas Dryer Error Codes
Most LG dryer error codes apply to both electric and gas models. However, a few are specific to one type:
- Electric dryer only: nP (no power to heater / 240V supply issue)
- Gas dryer only: FE (frequency error / gas igniter issue)
- Both types: D80/D90/D95, CL, PF, tE series, AE, HS, dE, HE
LG ventless heat pump dryers (Styler series) use a different heating system and may show additional codes related to the refrigerant circuit — these always require professional service.
When to Call a Certified Technician
- D95 — do not operate dryer until duct is professionally cleaned
- Any tE code that returns after a power-cycle reset
- AE or AE1 — control board communication faults require professional diagnosis
- HE — heater relay faults on the control board need professional repair
- FE — gas dryer igniter and gas valve issues require a certified gas appliance technician
- nP — if breaker reset does not resolve the issue, there may be an electrical or element fault
Frequently Asked Questions — LG Dryer Error Codes
D80, D90, and D95 are exhaust duct blockage codes. D80 means 80% blockage, D90 means 90% blockage, and D95 means 95% blockage in the exhaust duct. These codes are a fire hazard warning — clean the lint filter, disconnect and inspect the entire exhaust duct from the dryer to the exterior vent for lint buildup. D80/D90/D95 are very common in GTA homes where duct runs are long.
CL stands for Child Lock — the control panel has been locked to prevent accidental operation. To deactivate CL, press and hold the Child Lock button (or the designated button combination on your model) for 3 seconds until the CL indicator disappears.
tE (or tE1, tE2, tE3) means a thermistor (temperature sensor) error has been detected. tE1 is an open thermistor circuit, tE2 is a short circuit, and tE3 indicates the outlet thermistor has failed. These codes require professional thermistor testing and replacement.
AE or AE1 on LG dryers indicates a communication error between the main control board and the display board. Try a power-cycle reset first — unplug for 60 seconds. If AE returns, the wiring harness or one of the control boards has failed and needs professional replacement.
HS indicates a humidity sensor error. The sensor strips inside the dryer drum that detect moisture levels have failed or become coated with fabric softener residue. Try wiping the sensor bars (two small metal strips inside the front of the drum) with rubbing alcohol. If HS persists after cleaning, the humidity sensor needs professional replacement.
Press the Power button to turn off the dryer, then unplug it from the wall outlet. Wait 60 seconds, then plug back in and press Power. If the dryer has a dedicated Reset button, press it after plugging back in. If the code returns after a reset, the underlying component fault needs professional diagnosis.
LG dryer repairs in the Greater Toronto Area typically cost $150–$350 depending on the fault and parts required. Nick's Appliance Repair charges an $89 diagnostic fee waived when you proceed with the repair, plus $40 OFF any repair with our current promotion.