LG Washing Machine Won’t Turn on? Do this

If you are struggling with your LG washing machine that is not turning on, then this article is exactly for you.

In this post, I’m going to show you how to deal with a washing machine that just won’t start.

Here’s what this post covers:

  • Why won’t the LG washer turn ON?
  • Causes & Solutions.
  • Common Questions
  • And More…

Let’s jump right into it.

A faulty power supply OR power cord is often the primary reason why your LG washing machine may not start. Having said that it is not the only reason, your washer may also not turn on if the circuit breaker has gone bad OR if there is an issue with the power supply.

Let’s talk in detail about the common causes and solutions.

What Causes the Washing machine to not turn on? and Solutions

There can be many reasons why your LG washing machine is not turning on. It can be anything from a faulty switch to a problematic power cord.

Here are some of the common troubleshooting steps that you can try to fix your washing machine

Check if the washer is set to delayed start

If you have set the washing machine to a delayed start, the washing machine will still turn on but it will not start the wash cycle.

So, If you see that the lights are on in the control panel and if the washing machine is not running the wash cycle, it’s likely due to a delayed start function OR enabled child lock feature.

Simply turn off the delayed start function and you should be good.

Check if the Child lock feature is ‘ON’

A lot of times what happens is, that we forget about the child lock feature.

There is a possibility that you may have engaged the child lock feature, therefore your LG Washing machine has locked the control panel.

So, if you notice that your washing machine turns on but does not start the wash cycle, it’s likely due to the child lock feature.

Simply disengage the child lock feature by pressing the child lock button for 3 seconds or more and see if that helps.

Check the Power Supply

Now starts the actual troubleshooting.

Once you have ruled out the Delayed start and Child Lock issues, check the power supply.

You can get this checked by using a tester.

Simply, unplug your washer’s power cord from the power outlet, and then with the help of an inductance tester, check if the power supply is fine.

Alternately, you may plug in another device such as a hairdryer or a charger to check if the outlet has the power.

If there is any fault, get it fixed in order to run the washer, or if the power supply works fine then follow the other steps mentioned below.

Also Read: How to calculate power the consumption of a washing machine?

Check the Power Cord

Inspect the power cord of your washer right from the power plug, up to the other end that connects to the washer.

If you notice any signs of damage or wear out, simply get it replaced.

Check the Extension Board

If you are using an extension board to run your washer, try avoiding it for a while.

Instead, connect the washer directly to the switch and see if that helps.

A lot of time, it’s the extension board that is problematic.

If it’s still not working move on to the next step.

Check the Circuit Breaker

Check if the circuit breaker is ON.

Turn off the circuit breaker and wait for about 5 seconds.

Now turn on the circuit breaker and see if it works.

If that still does not work, you may need to reach out to the service center OR an expert to get it tested thoroughly.

If you have a basic knowledge of troubleshooting power supplies, you may try using a multimeter and see if there is electrical continuity or not in the circuit breaker.

Having said that, if you have even the slightest doubt, reach out to the technician.

Also Read: Can a washing machine run on Inverter Power?

Check If the buttons in the control panel are functional

Check if the buttons in the control panel light up.

If the control panel is completely dead, it means either your LG washer is not receiving the power OR it is receiving power but the circuits that keep the control panel going are damaged.

You can get this issue diagnosed using a multimeter.

Simply, open the control panel and connect the multimeter to the control panel circuit and see if there is electrical continuity or not.

If you see the electrical continuity it means, there is nothing wrong with the switch.

Check the other areas around the switch (To and Fro) to diagnose electrical issues around the control panel.

Check the Panel Fuse Switch

Most washers have a small tube-like fuse that is usually installed below the display panel, the location may vary depending on your washer type.

You may unplug the washer and unscrew the dashboard to access the panel.

If the fuse has turned black in color then it is a sign of a blown fuse.

Replacing the fuse may resolve your issue.

Again, this is something that needs to be diagnosed by an expert.

Stay away from this step if you don’t have any knowledge about the washer’s internal components.

Check for Overheating

If you had a long day doing the laundry and have performed multiple cycles, then there is a high probability that your washer and its internal components may have been overheated.

Allow some rest for your washer to cool down for at least a couple of hours and then try running the washer.

Note: Avoid doing a lot of laundries using your domestic washer in a single go. Give a gap wherever possible.

Also Read: What causes a washing machine motor to burn out?

Check for Power Fluctuation

Either there was a heavy power fluctuation while your washer was previously running OR there is an ongoing fluctuation.

Check if there is an ongoing fluctuation with the power supply, if yes, then try to run the washer later.

If the washer has already gone through a heavy power fluctuation then there is a possibility of damage to the internal electrical component.

You can use a multimeter and check for electricity continuity but there will be a lot of guesswork if you don’t know where to get started.

It’s best to contact an expert to accurately diagnose the cause and get it fixed.

Check if the doors are properly locked

This is a common problem with most front loaders.

While there are a lot of helpful features in front loaders, at times it tends to backfire a bit.

If the doors are not locked properly, the washer won’t start at all.

In such scenarios, you can follow the below steps:

  • Check Door lock diagnosed – Get the door lock diagnosed, chances are it may be jammed due to dirt and debris around it. Clean the lock areas and try locking the door, if this does not help, you may need a replacement.
  • Check if something stops the door from closing – At times, trapped clothes, socks, and small garments may interrupt the door’s closing mechanism. Simply remove the clothes OR adjust them inside the washing tub.
  • Dirty rubber seals and gasket areas – Clean the gasket and rubber seals using either a homemade cleaning solution OR by using a ready-made cleaner.

Note: A faulty door OR a door that is not getting locked properly has nothing to do with the power issue. So, If your washer is struggling to turn on in the first place, ignore this step.

Try a Hard Reset

Try a hard reset to see if that refreshes the sensing system.

In order to perform a hard reset follow the  below steps:

  • Unplug the washer from the power supply.
  • Press & hold the Power/Start button for 5 seconds and make sure the washer is unplugged while performing this step. 
  • Release the button after 5 seconds.
  • Now, press and hold the Play/Pause button for another 5 seconds.
  • Finally, plug the washer back into the power outlet and check if your washer turns ON.

If the above steps do not work out, then you may have to call an expert for repair service.

Rat Problems

This is the most common factor that is often ignored.

Rats can damage the wires and easily ruin your washing machine.

So even if you repair the washing machine, you are likely to face the same problem if you don’t address rat problems.

Also Read: How to get rid of rats from washing machine?

Your Washer Needs Repair

If none of the above-mentioned steps work, it’s recommended that you either reach out to the manufacturer OR service center.

Getting the washer diagnosed and repaired by a local expert may void the warranty of the damaged components.

So, if your washer is covered under warranty then you may have to get it diagnosed and fixed by your manufacturer.

Final Thoughts

Be extremely cautious when you are about to inspect electricity-related issues.

Use all the possible safety precautions in such tasks.

Having said that, in regions with heavy power fluctuations a stabilizer works wonders.

It stabilizes the fluctuation and prevents damage to electrical components.

Avoid manually fixing things that you don’t understand and always consult a technician if the problem is severe.

Also Read: How to clean a portable washing machine?

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us look into some common questions asked frequently.

Why did my washer stop working all of a sudden?

Your washer may have stopped suddenly due to various factors and depends on the point where it took the halt such as:

1. During or after the Rinse cycle – It may be due to water not filling or a clogged drain.
2. Start of the cycle – The door is not closed properly or issue with water inlet components.
3. Does not turn on – A temporary power cut, plug failure, tripped circuit breaker, etc.
4. Other reasons could be overloading, overheating, etc.

Does my washer have a fuse?

To run a washer, a stable and good amount of electricity is required. A fuse is installed in the washer to prevent major electrical components from any damage or obstruction caused by power fluctuations. Most washers will have 1 or more fuses installed.

Manish Singh is an expert in electrical engineering with a Diploma in the field. With over 12 years of experience, he specializes in repairing music systems, washing machines, dryers, and other laundry-related appliances. His in-depth knowledge in electrical repairs and decent knowledge about garment care makes him a trusted authority in the field of appliance repair and laundry related topics. If you have any questions or need assistance with your appliances, you can reach out to Manish through email: manish.singh (at) portablelaundry.com