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How to Reset an LG Washing Machine: Five Quick Steps

Updated
Your washing machine might not be broken. It just needs a hard reset.

LG washing machines are a bit of a luxury. But if something goes wrong and there isn’t an obvious cause — what do you do?

Well, one easy thing you can try when you notice an issue or error code, is resetting the machine.

We’ll walk you through the best method to reset an LG washing machine so you can have your appliance cleaning clothes again.

Key Takeaways

  • Reset LG washing machines by unplugging, holding power/start and play/pause buttons, then plugging back in and turning it on.
  • No dedicated reset button, follow the hard reset instructions for LG washing machines.
  • LG washing machines have various error codes, like IE for water inlet error, DE for draining error, and UE for unbalanced error.
  • Common issues include power failure, circuit breaker issues, heater problems, drain pump blockages, faulty connections, and leaks.


Is There a Reset Button on a LG Washing Machine?

There isn’t a dedicated reset button on LG washing machines. Instead, you have to follow the hard reset instructions.

According to LG the best way to do this is via a combination of buttons which we’ll walk through in the next section.

Take note that this is for LG washing machines, not dryers.

How to Reset Your LG Washing Machine

We’ll teach you how to reset your LG washing machine, no matter what model you have, including the Turbo Drum. This reset code is easy and quick and should work for both top and front load machines.

However, we still recommend checking your user manual for specific instructions in case you have an old model, a newer model, or a model that doesn’t accommodate these instructions.

  1. Unplug: Always unplug the machine before you start fiddling with the electrics. Unplugging the machine minimizes the risk of an electric shock.
  2. Power/start: Press and hold the power/start button for five seconds. Then release.
  3. Play/pause: Hold down the play/pause button for five seconds. Then release.
  4. Plug back in: Now plug the appliance back in and turn it on. Run an empty cycle to check if it works.
  5. Call repair: If it doesn’t turn on or work properly after these master reset instructions, contact the repair service.

Something To Note

Issuing a hard reset may put your machine back to default settings. If you have any preset cycle favorites or custom settings, you will need to customize your favorites again.

LG Washing Machine Error Codes

While the above method showed you how to issue a hard reset for your LG washer, you might notice some other error codes light up on the control board. We’ll walk through some common ones and what they mean.

Error Code What It Means
IE Water inlet error: There is an issue with the water supply. The water taps might not be completely open, there might be a kink in the inlet hoses or a clog in the filter.
DE Draining error: The drain hose or filter might be kinked or clogged.
UE Unbalanced error: The laundry load is too small, too big, or out of balance. You will need to adjust the load size or rearrange it.
dE Door open error: The door was still open when you attempted to begin the cycle.
tE, TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4 Heating error: The thermistor is malfunctioning. Unplug the machine and contact LG.
FE Overflow error: Water is overflowing due to a fault in the water valve. Close the tag, unplug the appliance and contact LG.
PE Pressure sensor switch error: The water level sensor isn’t working correctly. Close the water tap, unplug the appliance and contact LG.
CE Current error: The motor is overloading. Close the water tap, unplug the power and contact LG.
LE Lock Error: There is an error with the motor. Close the water tap, unplug the machine and contact LG.
PF Power failure error: The washing machine had a power failure. Restart the cycle. If that doesn’t work, issue a hard reset.
dHE Dry heater error: Power down the unit and unplug it. Leave it for 10 seconds before plugging it back in. Turn it on. If the error code remains, contact LG.
AE Suspected leak error: The appliance has detected a leak in the machine, and it has initiated the flood protection device located at the bottom of the machine.
EHE and/or ELE Heater error: There is an issue with the heating element. Unplug the appliance and contact LG.

LG Washing Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Besides how to reset an LG washing machine and some of the common errors, there are two other issues that you may face. These can occur with any washing machine, not just LG, but we’re here to offer some solutions to fix the problem.

Why Does My LG Washing Machine Not Start?

If your machine won’t turn on, here are the common causes and solutions:

  • No power: Check that the unit is plugged into the socket and enough power is running through it. Ensure that the socket is turned on as well.
  • Off at the circuit breaker: The machine is possibly off at the circuit breaker. If so, turn it back on. If it’s not, turn it off manually, wait five seconds, then turn it back on.
  • It needs reset: Sometimes, minor faults cause the appliance to switch off, and you need to issue a hard reset. Follow our instructions above for resetting your LG washing machine.

Why Won’t My Washing Machine Finish Its Cycle?

If your cycle starts without a problem but doesn’t finish, there are a few issues you can check for.

  • Heater: If the heating element fails, the machine might not finish the cycle since it needs to maintain the chosen temperature. Turn off the appliance and disconnect it from the power. Access the heater and check for damage. If you don’t see any damage, contact an electrician or use a multimeter to check for resistance. A working heater will give you a reading of between 20 and 30 Ohms. If the number is higher or lower, the heating element is broken, and you should order a replacement.
  • Drain pump blockage: This is one of the most common causes of a cycle not finishing. There might be a blockage in the drain pump, which causes the machine to stop functioning correctly. Turn the appliance off and disconnect it from the power. Open up the filter hose to check for clogs. Remove any that are evident or use a plumber’s snake to reach deeper into the pipe.
  • Faulty connection: There might be an electrical fault within the appliance. If your machine just turns on and off randomly, contact LG. They should send out a repair person to fix it.
  • Overheating: Sometimes, it’s a simple issue like overheating. End the cycle, wait for the machine to cool, and try again later.
  • Leaks: Machines will stop mid-cycle if they detect a leak. Check for an obvious leak. If you notice one, contact LG. Your machine might still be under warranty, and they could fix it for you. If not, contact a plumber.

Get a Working Washing Machine Again

If you’re like us, you use your washing machine on a daily basis, and you can’t afford for it to shut down! Sometimes a simple solution like a hard reset is all you need.

Now that you know how to reset your LG washing machine, you can save a lot of time in the future.

Just remember, if it happens often or a hard reset doesn’t work, there may be another issue. When in doubt, contact LG for support.

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About the Author

Beth McCallum

Beth McCallum is a freelance writer & book blogger with a degree in creative writing, journalism, and English literature. Beth firmly believes that a tidy house is a tidy mind. She is always looking for new ways to sustainably clean and tidy her house, that's kind on the environment but effective in the house, too!