LG front-loaders and top-loaders are well built, and many of their problems announce themselves clearly with a two- or three-character code. Some of those codes point to something you can fix in ten minutes. Others need a technician with a meter. And a few issues, like a smell that won't go away or a machine that shakes violently after a move, come with no code at all.
Find the model number first. On LG front-loaders the label is usually on the inside of the door frame or on the back; on top-loaders, look under the lid or on the back of the control panel.
Before and after a move
A lot of households in this area move on a schedule, including military families and federal employees, and a front-loader is one of the easiest things to damage on moving day.
Shipping bolts
LG front-loaders leave the factory with transport bolts in the back panel that lock the tub in place. They must be removed before the machine is used, and LG's instructions say to keep them. If you still have them, reinstall them before the washer is moved to another home. A drum bouncing freely on its springs in a truck can damage the suspension and the tub.
If you've just moved in and the washer shakes, bangs or walks across the floor on its first spin, check the back panel. Bolts accidentally left in place cause exactly that.
Draining before the move
Run a drain and spin cycle with the drum empty, then drain the rest through the filter at the bottom front so the pump and hoses don't leak in the truck. Disconnect and dry the hoses.
After the move
- •Level the washer front to back and side to side, and tighten the lock nuts on the feet.
- •Check that the drain hose isn't kinked behind the machine and that its end is secured in the standpipe or laundry box.
- •Run a short empty cycle and watch for leaks.
Codes you can often clear yourself
| Code | What it usually means | First thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| OE | Not draining | Pump filter, drain hose kinks, clogged standpipe |
| IE | Not filling | Water valves open, hose kinks, inlet screens |
| UE | Unbalanced load | A single heavy item, like a bath mat or comforter |
| dE | Door problem | Door fully closed, nothing caught in the seal |
| CL | Child lock on | Hold the button combination shown on the panel |
| tcL | Tub clean reminder | Run Tub Clean with an empty drum |
| PF | Power interrupted | Restart the cycle; check the outlet or breaker |
Codes vary somewhat by model and generation, so compare with your owner's manual or LG's support library.
About the drain filter
For an OE code, the pump filter on a front-loader is behind a small door at the bottom front. Put down towels and a shallow pan before you open it, because there will be water. Our guide to a washer that won't drain walks through doing this without a flood, which matters most when the laundry is upstairs.
About unbalanced loads
Front-loaders can't spin a load where everything bunches to one side. A single towel, a pair of jeans or a waterproof mattress pad often triggers UE. Add a couple of items to balance it, or run bulky items on the bedding cycle.
Codes that usually need a technician
- •LE: the motor is locked or can't turn. Sometimes a jammed item is the cause, but repeated LE codes point to the motor, its sensor or the control.
- •PE: the water level sensor isn't reading correctly.
- •tE: a heating or temperature sensor problem.
- •FE: too much water; the fill valve may be stuck open. Turn off the water supply if the drum overfills.
- •dE that returns after you've checked the door: often the door lock assembly.
If a code keeps coming back after a power cycle, write it down and book a visit.
The front-loader smell in humid weather
A front-loader seals tightly so it can wash with little water. The trade-off is that moisture stays inside after the cycle. In a humid summer, especially in a closet without much air, that's all mildew needs.
What helps:
- •Leave the door and detergent drawer open between loads so the inside dries.
- •Wipe the door gasket after the last load of the day, including the folds at the bottom where water and lint collect.
- •Use HE detergent and measure it. Too much detergent leaves residue that feeds odor.
- •Run Tub Clean when the tcL reminder appears, with an empty drum and a washer cleaner or the product your manual suggests.
- •Clean the pump filter every few months. Standing water behind it smells.
- •Move wet clothes to the dryer promptly.
If the smell persists after all that, or you see black mold deep in the gasket folds, the gasket may need replacing.
LG top-loaders
LG top-loaders share many codes with the front-loaders. A few points specific to them:
- •Many don't have an agitator, so large items can float and unbalance. Load evenly around the center.
- •The lid locks during the spin. If a lid lock fails, the washer may refuse to start or stop before draining.
- •The drain pump is not user-accessible on most models, so a real OE on a top-loader is more often a technician's job.
Stacked units and the WashTower
LG makes both stackable front-loaders and single-unit designs with the washer and dryer built as one tower. These fit in condo closets, but a repair may require pulling the whole unit forward. Leave a clear path and let us know about the closet space when you book.
Smart Diagnosis
Many LG washers support Smart Diagnosis, either through the ThinQ app or, on older models, by holding a phone to the machine. The report it gives you is worth sharing when you book, alongside the code and model number.
When to call
If the washer is still under LG's warranty, contact LG first. We're an independent repair company, not an authorized service center.
Outside warranty, a technician diagnoses the washer in your home, explains what failed and quotes the repair. Nothing is replaced until you've approved the price. Parts are matched to the model number, and we'll tell you when a part is an equivalent. More information is on our LG washer repair page.
Short answers
My LG washer says tcL. Is it broken?
No. It's a reminder to run the Tub Clean cycle.
Why does my LG washer shake so much after moving?
Check that the shipping bolts were removed and the washer is level on a solid floor.