Counted from our technicians' notes on 88 LG dryer service calls.
Clothes still damp after a full cycle
The most common reason is a restricted vent, and plenty of LG dryers will say so with d80, d90 or d95. Lint builds up in long duct runs, crushed foil transition ducts, and outdoor hoods whose flaps stick. A dryer that keeps running hot against a blocked vent also burns through its thermal fuse and thermostats faster.
No heat, odd noises, or a dryer that won't start
It tumbles but stays cold
On an electric model, nP means no current is getting to the heater. LG says that usually traces back to the house wiring, and a common case is one half of the double breaker tripping. With good power, the heating element, a thermal fuse or a high-limit thermostat is the likely failure. A gas model shows a "gas" message when it isn't getting gas. Once you've confirmed the gas is on, the igniter or the gas valve coils are the probable parts, and that's a job for a technician.
Squeal, thump or grind
Worn drum rollers and a dry idler pulley are behind most squeals and thumps. When the motor runs but the drum sits still, look for a drive belt that has slipped or snapped.
Dead at the button
Make sure the door is fully latched (that's dE) and the breaker is on. A blown thermal fuse will also keep many models from starting, and that points right back to poor vent airflow.
LG dryer codes in plain English
| Code | What it usually means |
|---|
| d75, d80, d90, d95 | Vent is roughly 75, 80, 90 or 95% restricted, so clean the vent run first. On gas dryers, d80 can also mean there's no gas |
| tE1, tE3 | Temperature sensor (thermistor) problem |
| tE2 | Thermistor reading too cold, often in steam cycles when the duct cools off fast |
| nP | No current at the heater, generally a house wiring or breaker issue |
| PS | Wrong voltage at the power cord, such as wires reversed at the terminal block |
| dE | Door problem. It may be damaged, out of alignment or not closed all the way |
| HS | Humidity sensor problem. Clean the moisture sensor bars under the lint filter |
| PF | Power was interrupted |
Codes and meanings differ between models. A code narrows down the area but doesn't name the failed part, so write it down before resetting.
Five-minute checks
- Clean the lint filter, then go outside and watch the vent hood while the dryer runs. The flap should swing open freely.
- Pull the dryer out and look for a kinked or crushed duct behind it.
- On electric models, check both halves of the dryer's breaker and reset it if it tripped.
- Wipe the moisture sensor bars under the lint filter if loads come out damp or HS shows up.
- Steam models will ask for water when the supply runs out, so fill it.
Need the model number? Open the door and look on the front frame around the drum opening, near the top.
January d-codes in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Drifting snow and frost can close off a low outdoor vent hood, and lint collects faster in a cold duct because moisture condenses inside it. When a d-code pops up in January, check the outside hood before anything else.
Which LG dryer repairs make sense
Rollers, belts, idler pulleys, thermal fuses, elements and igniters are moderate repairs, and most LG dryers with a sound drum and cabinet are worth fixing. Get the vent fixed during the same visit, or the new heating parts will face the same strain.