# How to Fix LG Error LE (Motor Locked Error)
The LG error code **LE** (sometimes displayed as **Lg**) indicates a **Motor Locked Error**. This means the machine’s control board detected that the drum motor is not spinning when it should be, or that the motor is experiencing resistance it cannot overcome.
While the issue can sometimes be a physical blockage, the most common culprit for the LE code in LG direct drive (DD) washers is a faulty component called the **Rotor Position Sensor** (also known as the Hall Sensor).
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## Explanation: What This Code Means
When your LG washer runs a cycle, the central computer (PCB) needs constant feedback on the motor’s position and speed. This information is provided by the **Rotor Position Sensor**, a small electronic device located on the back of the motor assembly.
If the control board attempts to start the motor but receives unreliable or no data from the sensor, or if the sensor detects excessive resistance, the machine immediately throws the LE error to prevent damage to the motor windings or control board.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting and Diagnosis
Before ordering any parts, follow these steps to narrow down the cause of the LE error.
### Step 1: Power Cycle and Reset (The Quick Fix)
The LE error can sometimes be triggered by a temporary glitch or power surge.
1. **Unplug the Washer:** Disconnect the machine from the power outlet entirely.
2. **Wait 5 Minutes:** Allowing a full power discharge can reset the control board.
3. **Plug Back In:** Restore power and attempt to run a simple Spin Cycle or Drain & Spin cycle (without laundry).
* *If the error clears:* The issue was a transient glitch.
* *If the error returns:* Proceed to Step 2.
### Step 2: Check for Physical Obstructions and Overloading
If the drum is physically jammed, the motor cannot turn, triggering the LE code.
1. **Check the Load:** Ensure you are not washing an extremely large or heavy single item (like a very thick rug) which can bind the drum or cause an imbalance the sensor interprets as resistance.
2. **Manually Spin the Drum:** With the machine *unplugged*, open the door and attempt to rotate the inner drum (stainless steel tub) by hand.
* **Should move freely:** If the drum spins easily with little resistance, the blockage is likely not physical. Proceed to Step 3.
* **Is stiff or locked:** If the drum is very difficult or impossible to turn, something is physically jamming the mechanism. Look for foreign objects (coins, socks, underwires) that may have slipped out of the tub and are wedged between the drum and the outer tub.
### Step 3: Inspect the Rotor Position Sensor (Hall Sensor)
This step requires accessing the back of the machine. **Ensure the machine is completely unplugged before proceeding.**
1. **Access the Motor:** Move the washer away from the wall and remove the large metal access panel on the back of the machine.
2. **Locate the Motor Assembly:** You will see the direct-drive motor components: the rotor (a large metal disc with magnets) and the stator (the central copper coil winding).
3. **Identify the Sensor:** The Rotor Position Sensor is a small, usually black, rectangular or crescent-shaped plastic component attached directly behind the stator, typically held in place by two small screws. It has a wiring harness attached.
4. **Inspect Wiring:** Check the sensor’s harness for any signs of damage, burn marks, corrosion, or chewed wires (if pests are an issue). A loose connection can cause the LE error.
5. **Remove the Rotor:** To properly inspect the sensor, you must remove the rotor. Use a socket wrench to remove the large central bolt holding the rotor disc onto the shaft. Once the bolt is removed, the rotor should slide off.
6. **Inspect the Sensor Itself:**
* Look for cracks, scorch marks, or melted plastic on the sensor body.
* If the sensor is visibly cracked or damaged, it needs replacement. This is the single most common cause of the LE code.
### Step 4: Stator and Motor Check (Secondary Causes)
While less common than the sensor failure, the LE code can also be caused by the main motor components.
1. **Inspect the Stator:** The stator is the ring of copper windings. Look for any black, melted, or burned sections. Burned windings indicate a motor failure, which requires replacing the entire stator assembly (a much larger repair).
2. **Check Rotor Magnets:** Inspect the inside rim of the rotor disc. These are powerful magnets. Ensure none are cracked, chipped, or have fallen out.
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If the wiring is good, the drum spins freely, and you find no obvious blockages or stator burns, the problem is overwhelmingly likely the **Rotor Position Sensor**.
Check the price for a replacement Rotor Position Sensor here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+Rotor+Position+Sensor&tag=trivian-20