What tE (796 / LG-built) Means
tE on LG-built Kenmore washers under 796-prefix numbers reports the thermistor — the drum temperature sensor — as out of specification. On models with a heater it is listed as a heating sensor error, because the control will not run a heated cycle it cannot measure.
Common Causes of tE (796 / LG-built)
- A thermistor drifted outside its resistance range
- A broken or chafed wire in the thermistor harness
- A control board no longer reading the sensor circuit correctly
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Select a cold wash and see whether it completes; a machine that runs cold cleanly but stops on every warm selection is behaving exactly as this code describes.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- The thermistor sits beside the heating element at the bottom of the tub, on a circuit that carries mains voltage in use.
- A sensor measured while the machine is plugged in gives a meaningless reading and risks a shock.
- Replacing the thermistor without checking its harness is the most repeated wasted step on this fault.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.