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LG Washer Won’t Turn On/Turn Off/Start/Stop Running

LG washers break down from time to time, even if you’re on top of the basic maintenance routines that they recommend. Although some may need a replacement or major repair, it would be best to know how to deal with it yourself, right?

If your LG washer won’t turn on or off, start or stop running, the issue could be with the power source. Ensure the washer is properly plugged in and check your home’s electrical panel for any tripped breakers or blown fuses. Resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse can often resolve these power-related issues.

LG Washer Won’t Turn On/Turn Off/Start/Stop Running

A different cause could be related to the control board. If the washer’s control board is malfunctioning, it may cause the washer to behave erratically, not turning on or off as expected. Resetting the washer by unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in can often reboot the system and resolve minor glitches. For persistent issues, the control board might need professional inspection or replacement.

Another common issue could be with the washer’s door latch. If the door isn’t properly closed or if the latch is faulty, the washer won’t start or may stop mid-cycle. To fix this, check the door latch for any obstructions and ensure it’s clean and properly aligned. If the latch is damaged, replacing it can often solve the problem.

LG Washer Won’t Turn On: Causes & How to Fix

LG Washer Won't Turn On: Causes & How to Fix

Often, you can fix an LG washer that won’t turn on by doing a hard reset. However, before you jump into troubleshooting your washer, it would be best to test if power is getting to it.

The first test you can do is check the same outlet with another electronic device and see if it delivers power. If it also doesn’t turn on, then you’ll need to check your circuit breaker. Here’s how to do it:

  1. See if the correct switch is on.
  2. If the switch is on, try resetting the circuit breaker.
  3. Unplug everything that is connected to the line.
  4. Turn it off for 5 seconds, then turn it back on.
  5. Plug the washer back and see if this solves the problem.

If your LG washer still won’t turn on despite having power from the outlet, the first troubleshooting step is to unplug it for a few minutes, then plug it back in. It resets the washer and can solve many of the issues you’re having with an LG washer.

If a reset doesn’t solve the issue, then it’s time for you to do a hard reset. It resets the main control board and often shows you an error code, making it easier for you to identify the problem and find the proper fix for it.

If all of these didn’t solve the problem and you’re not getting any error code from the display, you may have to proceed with replacing the control panel (cheapest) or the main control board (most expensive).

LG Washer Won’t Turn Off: Causes & How to Fix

LG Washer Won't Turn Off: Causes & How to Fix

LG washers that won’t turn off are easier to troubleshoot and repair than those that won’t turn on. If it has power, you can easily check the buttons and do tests that you can’t do if there’s no power going in your washer.

The first step you can do is to unclog your washer and wait for a few minutes before plugging it back in. Again, it resets the washer and could be an easy way to fix it. Although it doesn’t often fix the problem, it’s still the first that you should try because it doesn’t cost anything. Remember, if you’re trying to troubleshoot or repair electronic devices, you should always start with the cheapest and easiest steps. 

If it still won’t turn off, try pressing different buttons, and see if everything works. If every button works, then you can try doing a hard reset with your washer. If some of the buttons don’t work, you may have to replace your control panel to fix the problem.

If a hard reset doesn’t fix the problem or if your washer doesn’t turn off automatically, then you may have to replace the circuit board. Small relay switches control everything in your washer—it’s responsible for automating the process from filling to draining the water.

However, over time, these relays may get welded together, turning it into a fixed contact rather than a switch. These switches could be the reason why you can’t turn your LG washer off, automatically or manually.

LG Washer Turns on but Won’t Start Running: Causes & How to Fix

LG Washer Turns on but Won't Start Running: Causes & How to Fix

Dealing with my LG washer that turned on but wouldn’t start was a real headache, especially when I had a mountain of laundry waiting. Initially baffled by this issue, I realized that understanding the cause is key to finding a solution. Here’s what I learned through my experience and some helpful research.

If your LG washer turns on but won’t start, it could be due to a door latch malfunction. The washer won’t operate if it senses the door is not securely closed. Check the door latch for any obstructions or damage and clean it if necessary. If the issue persists, the door latch may need to be replaced.

A different cause might be an issue with the control panel. Sometimes, the control panel can become unresponsive or glitchy, preventing the washer from starting. To fix this, try resetting the washer by unplugging it for about one minute, then plugging it back in. This can reboot the system and potentially resolve any temporary software glitches.

LG Washer Won’t Stop Running: Causes & How to Fix

LG Washer Won't Stop Running: Causes & How to Fix

There are three common reasons why an LG washer won’t stop running: water valve, pressure switch, or the main control board. However, like most LG washer problems, the first step is to reset it by unplugging for a minute then plugging it back in. If it doesn’t solve the problem, try a hard reset and see if it shows you an error code that you can use to determine the problem. If both didn’t work, you’d need to repair/replace some parts of your LG washer.

A faulty water valve causes the washer to continuously fill the drum with water and won’t stop even if it’s unplugged! The water valve is responsible for closing the water source, but if it fails, the only way to cut it off is to close the waterline. To fix this, you only need to replace the water valve with a replacement for your model.

If replacing the water valve doesn’t fix the problem or only runs when the LG washer is plugged in, you may have to replace the pressure switch or water level control. This part is responsible for letting the machine know that it already has enough water. If it fails, your washer will keep filling with water, or the drain pump won’t stop running.

The last step that you can do is to replace the main control board, similar to other issues that we’ve discussed. This step is always the last because it’s one of the most expensive parts of the washer. An LG main control board costs $200 or more, depending on the model you have. At this point, depending on how long you’ve used your washer, getting a new one could be a better option than trying to replace the main control board.

Final Thoughts

LG washers, regardless of how you take good care of them, will break down from time to time. But you can fix most of these problems with a reset or hard reset. It uses a sophisticated system with several moving parts, and if one goes wrong, the whole system fails. A reset sends a signal to every part of the washer, often enough to get it running again.

Sometimes, you need to replace some parts of the washer to get it to work, but this can cost up to hundreds of dollars, so this is often a last resort.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 21, 2020.

LG Washer Won’t Turn On Even After Reset: What You Can Do