If your older LG Washer is showing error code E3, the machine has detected a motor overload condition — the drum is not rotating correctly due to an excessively heavy load, a stalled motor, or a mechanical obstruction. Error E3 is the legacy equivalent of the LE error on modern LG Washers and has the same meaning and fixes. Here is how to resolve LG Washer error E3.

⚡ Quick Fix – Top 3 Steps

1. Power the washer off for 10–15 minutes, then restart. Error E3 on LG Washers can be caused by a temporary motor overload during a difficult spin. Turning the machine off and waiting 10–15 minutes allows the motor’s thermal protection to reset and the control board’s overload circuit to clear. Restart with a smaller load.
2. Reduce the load and try again. E3 most commonly appears when the drum contains heavy, bulky items that prevent the drum from rotating freely. Remove several items from the drum, close the door, and restart the cycle. If the error clears with a smaller load, the drum was overloaded — wash heavy items in separate, smaller batches.
3. Check that the drum turns freely by hand. Unplug the washer and try to turn the drum manually by reaching into the drum and rotating it. It should turn smoothly with moderate resistance. If it is stiff, locked, or makes grinding sounds, a foreign object may be jamming the drum or the motor’s rotor assembly may have a mechanical fault.

What Does LG Washer Error E3 Mean?

Error E3 on older LG Washer models is a motor overload error. It is triggered when the direct drive motor detects excessive resistance during drum rotation — typically from a very heavy load, a jammed drum, or a faulty motor or rotor position sensor. On modern LG Washers, this same error appears as LE. If your machine shows LE, see the dedicated guide for LG Washer Error LE.

Common Causes of LG Washer Error E3

• Overloaded drum: Too many heavy items (towels, jeans, rugs) prevent the motor from reaching operating speed.
• Foreign object jamming the drum: A coin, underwire, or button lodged between the drum and outer tub physically blocks rotation.
• Faulty rotor position sensor (hall sensor): The sensor that provides motor speed feedback to the control board has failed, causing incorrect motor control and triggering the overload protection.
• Damaged motor winding: One or more motor windings have failed, reducing the motor’s torque output and causing it to stall under normal loads.
• Worn drum bearings: Severely worn rear drum bearings increase rotational resistance to the point where the motor struggles to spin the drum.

Related LG Washer Errors

• LG Washer Error LE — Same motor overload error on modern LG Washers
• LG Washer Error CE — Current error in motor circuit
• LG Washer Error SE — Motor hall sensor error
• LG Washer Error UE — Unbalanced load error
• LG Washer Error Codes – Complete Guide