LG washing machines are built to last and offer a wide variety of functions — but they can still have problems. We’ve compiled a list of some common LG washing machine problems and possible solutions, so that you can continue to enjoy your investment.
LG wants you to be happy with your purchase, which is why they’ve included an intuitive control panel, loads of innovative features, and LG’s 10-year limited warranty. When things go wrong, LG wants you to turn to them first for support, because they know how frustrating it can be to deal with malfunctioning appliances.
Let’s face it. When your washing machine breaks, you’re irritated. It’s the last thing you want to deal with when you’ve already got so much on your plate. That’s why LG washers are designed with smart features that help you diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix washing machine problems…all by yourself.
Common LG Washing Machine Problems – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis
You can easily troubleshoot basic washing machine issues by yourself. Most washing machines fail to start or leak due to simple issues like improper balance, overflowing water, overloaded hoses, and clogged lines. Being proactive enough to fix these issues means you’ll have a stress-free laundry day with a working washing machine.
We’re going to explore common LG washer problems, and the troubleshooting steps one should take to solve them. Not all washing machine repairs are going to be a DIY project, but it’s always a good idea to troubleshoot a problem before calling in a technician.
1. LG Washing Machine Not Spinning
The LG washer has a number of possible problems that can cause an improper spin. A broken belt or a jammed drive motor are both fairly common issues, and while the former is easily fixed the latter requires professional attention. In some cases, however, your washer might simply be experiencing a symptom of a larger problem — for example, you might have an electrical shortage that is affecting the spin cycle function.
With this being said, there are a few signs that can help you diagnose the problem with your LG washing machine.
Here are some common causes of spin failure:
- Lid Switch Issue: When your LG washing machine won’t spin, you should check to see if the lid switch assembly is broken or low on power. Remove the lid by taking out the screws at the front of the machine, then detach its cables and unscrew it from its frame. Using a multimeter, test each of the lid’s switches for continuity. If there is no continuity, then it needs to be replaced.
- Broken/Loose Drive Belt: The first thing to do is check the washer’s motor pulley for damage or loose belts. Check the washer’s drive belt, see if it is loose on the pulleys. Tighten it if they’re loose. Look at the front of the motor, on one side of the belt. If you see signs of damage, like cracks or tears in the belt, then you will need to replace it immediately.
- Door Latch Failure: If the door does not close properly, fix the door latch. A faulty or damaged door switch will be detected by the display panel and the washer will then stop from working. When this happens, do not use that washer to carry our clothes or laundry anymore. Check to make sure the door latch (what keeps the door shut) is working properly. If not, replace it with a new one.
- Washing Machine Not Level: We all know how damaging it can be to leave a washing machine unbalanced — while it’s spinning, the drum can become misaligned or damaged, putting pressure on its outer shell. This can lead to leaking and an entirely broken washing machine. If your washing machine is having trouble spinning due to balance issues, carry out this simple adjustment. The balancing function prevents damage to the washing machine by responding to these issues. A common problem is when people adjust the height of their washing machine feet. If you are considering changing your washing machine’s feet, be sure to keep the balance in mind.
- Defective Control Board: Faulty motor control boards can cause a wide range of issues, from the washer refusing to spin to the machine acting as if it’s not receiving any power at all. In order to determine whether or not the board is malfunctioning, first check to make sure that the power cord is properly connected. If it is, inspect the board for any signs of damage; burned-out components are common failures when it comes to these boards. ok for visible signs of damage, such as loose wires or frayed edges. If you can locate the issue, use a wire cutter to remove any frayed or damaged wires from the board, then apply a new piece of wire and fasten it in place with a wire nut. To determine a faulty motor control board, a technician will plug a voltmeter into the field circuit board connector. If voltage is present but not being sent to the motor, it means that you have a defective control board. You need to replace it.
Other Reasons for LG Washer Spin Failure includes:
- Broken Tub Bearings.
- Faulty Stator Assembly.
- Broken basket drive.
- Drum Bearing Issue.
2. LG Washing Machine Not Starting
LG is a South Korean company that manufactures home appliances. While they’re great machines, every now and then, an owner may experience problems with their machine. When an LG washer won’t turn on, consumers should check the power supply or reset the breaker. Let’s look at some causes of why LG washer won’t start:
- Check Power Cord: If you’re having trouble with your LG washer, check the power cord. In some models, it can get pushed back in, preventing your washer from turning on. It should be plugged into a 120VAC, 3-prong outlet.
- Circuit Breaker Issue: Check your home’s fuse box or circuit breaker to ensure that there isn’t a problem with the electricity in your home. If the fuse is blown out or the circuit breaker is pushed in, replace it with one of comparable amp capacity.
- Check Control Panel: If your washing machine’s display has displayed an error code and the machine has power, you’ll need to reset the control panel. Lift up the lid on the control panel to access the reset button, press the button once with a pin or paperclip to restart it. Your washer is so smart, it can figure out when you’re not using it and turn itself off to save on energy. But did you know that it can also be tempted into turning back on? If your washer won’t turn on, try pressing the power button for a few seconds to get it back on its feet
- Lid is Open: LG laundry machines feature a lid that is designed to protect the drum from excessive noise and vibration. If the lid is removed or damaged, the machine will not operate, so be sure nothing is caught under the lid to prevent it from properly closing.
3. Rinsing Issue
We’ve all been there before, washing our clothes only to discover that they don’t smell as fresh as they should. And it’s a problem with a simple solution: washing your clothes with the right product. Let’s look at some causes of why LG washer won’t rinse:
- Use correct amount of detergent: If you’re finding that your washer fails to rinse a load, then there may be an issue with the amount of detergent that you are using. We recommend following the instructions on the detergent bottle in order to give your load the best chance of coming out clean. If your soil level isn’t high, you should reduce the amount of detergent that you use.
- Use HE detergent: If you’re using a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, be sure to look for detergent that’s HE-approved because it won’t produce excess suds that can leave residue in your washer.
4. LG Washer Making Strange Noises
All washing machines have a variety of sounds they make, but sudden changes in volume or the sound of grinding gears is a sign that something might be wrong. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some tips on figuring out the cause of the unusual noise and how to fix it.
- Check Drum: Always check for something stuck in the drum before running a cycle. Coins, hairbands, and other solid objects can cause permanent damage to your appliance, so you must make sure nothing’s stuck there before operating the machine.
- Drain Pump Issue: Although a washing machine’s motor makes a lot of noise on a regular basis, its pump should never make grinding noises. A loud, rough pump doesn’t just indicate that the equipment needs maintenance — it can also be dangerous. First check to see whether the filter is clogged with debris, which can cause damage to the pump. Remove debris from the pump’s filter and make sure it’s not clogged. If everything is running smoothly with the drain pump, troubleshoot further by checking for problems elsewhere in the washer.
- Wrong Installation: If you’re having issues with your new LG washing machine, it might be due to a faulty installation. But don’t fret — LG’s customer service experts are on hand to provide you with the help you need. Whether via telephone or live e-support, they’re standing by to give you all the information you need to get things up and running again!
There are some other parts as well which can cause the washer to become too noisy. These are:
- Tub seals are broken.
- Bad Bearings.
- Broken or Loose Drive Belts.
- Worn Out Drive Pulleys.
5. LG Washing Machine Not Draining
The LG washing machine has several drain issues which can get frustrating. Even though these issues may seem small, they can make your life difficult. For example, you may not be able to finish your laundry because the washer keeps stopping to refill the dirty water. This is annoying and time-consuming, but it’s also quite easy to fix. With a few tips, you’ll never have to deal with this issue again.
- Check Drain Pump: First, clear the drain pump. If the drain pump is blocked, water won’t be able to drain out of your washer, causing it to overflow. Put some warm water into the tub and let the washer run for ten minutes or so to see if the water drains out. Clean out all blockages in the drain pump. These can usually be found in the large gray tub or in the inlet and outlet tubes and may consist of soap residue and hair. If not, restart your washer and check the motor for any damage. You need to replace the faulty pump with a new one.
- Clogged Drain Hose: To keep your washing machine running smoothly, you should clean the hoses and connections on a regular basis. This step helps to ensure that water can run through smoothly. You should also inspect the hoses to see if they have become worn over time. Inspect hoses for cracks or holes that might let water escape.
- Faulty Lid Switch: Lid switches are meant to sense when the washing machine lid is open or closed. When you test for continuity, you’re checking to see if the switch is working correctly. This means that there’s a problem with your lids. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is that the lid is broken or it’s not sitting correctly on the washer. This happens because of physical damage or poor installation.
- Remove Coins or Metals: To avoid breaking your washer or causing damage, remove items that are made of metal. These include zippers, buttons, studs, hair pins, bobby pins, snaps, hooks, plastic cards with magnetic strips on them (like library cards or credit cards), coat hangers, belt buckles, and any other small metal objects.
6. Washing Machine is Shaking Too Much
What to do when your washing machine shakes and vibrates? Many newer machines tend to vibrate and shake due to the high speed. It gets worse if you load more items, use a bulky item, or wash clothes with bad elasticity – such as clothes with plastic buttons – as these things will put pressure on the drum of the washing machine. If you have a problem with your washing machine shaking, you should first check if there is any load in the drum and then run a diagnostic cycle that uses a small amount of water.
Here are the most common causes of washer vibration issues and how to troubleshoot them.
- Ensure Washer is Level: Place the washer on a flat surface. LG’sshock absorbers accommodate minor variations in the flooring at home or work, but may not perform optimally on a severely uneven surface. Adjust the machine’s feet until they are level, and run a test cycle to confirm that they don’t impact its performance.
- Defective Shock Absorbers: If your washer is having issues with its shock absorbers, it will shake and bounce around while it’s running. Check to ensure that your shock absorbers are in the correct place and if they’re damaged or worn out, replace them.
- Broken Suspension Rods: The suspension rods and braces that hold up and stabilise the washing machine can wear down and break over time. This means the machine shakes during its spin cycle. The good news is, replacing these parts is an easy process — all you need to do is locate them, remove them from the machine, swap them for new ones, and fix any other damage caused by wear and tear.
Other things to check include counter balance springs, suspension springs, tub wear pad, rear drum bearing, leveling leg, snubber pad, snubber ring, balance ring, shipping bolts, and bolts kit. If any one of these is damaged or faulty, replace them.
Other Reasons for LG Washer shaking or vibrating includes:
- Broken Suspension Rings.
- Worn out drum bearing.
- Loose/broken drive belt.
- Faulty counter balance springs.
- Washer pads.
- Shipping bolts.
7. LG Washing Machine Leaking
When your LG washer is leaking, there are a few common causes that might be to blame. Whether you’ve noticed a small puddle at the bottom or a steady stream, this LG washer troubleshooting guide can help you find and fix the issue — and get your clothes washed again.
- Check Water Supply Line: Leaks can be a major water waste. To check for them, look at the hoses that connect the washer to the cold and hot pipes, these are easy to access from inside the machine. There are also seals around the drum and at the bottom of the unit. If there any leaks, replace them or check for cracks or tears in them. You can also look at the drain hose from the machine to make sure it’s connected properly.
- Unbalanced: Is the washer level on a sturdy, level surface? The washing machines can cause unbalance and cause leaks out of the bottom if they are on an unstable surface.
- Using Wrong/Too Much Detergent: A leading cause of LG washers leaking is overloading it with too much detergent. Over-sudsing your clothes can make it seem like you have better results when in fact, all you’re doing is wasting time and money on damaged merchandise. Be careful not to use too much detergent, and be sure to use good brand detergents.
- Bad Tub Seal: A leaking washer tub seal can have a lot of different causes. If the seals are damaged, you should replace them. But, if it’s a problem in the tub bearings, you may need to call in a technician. That will be hard to fix yourself, so they’re worth fixing sooner rather than later.
- Door Issue: If your washer door isn’t closing tightly, you can end up with water leaking out of your machine. All washers are equipped with some kind of mechanism to keep the door closed securely during the wash cycle. If yours fails, water will escape from around the seal, causing mold and mildew to grow.
Conclusion
Laundry day has never been more fun with LG washers. Whether you’re tackling a small load of socks or tackling a mountain of laundry, these state-of-the-art machines are built for both quick and efficient washing all while remaining gentle on your clothes. However, with any appliance, there are bound to be occasional issues. To help you troubleshoot common LG washing machine problems, we’ve compiled this guide for you.
LG washers have functionalities that are easy to use, but can occasionally cause errors. For instance, an error code may pop up on the washing machine’s display. However, understanding how these error codes work can help you quickly solve any problem you encounter during the laundry cycle.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.