LG Washer Not Agitating? Here’s How To Fix It

LG is one of the most popular washer brands in the United States, known for making reliable and innovative modern appliances.

The wash cycle on an LG washer works using an agitation function, where a central agitator repeatedly moves and lifts a mixture of water and clothing up and down to get fabrics thoroughly clean.

However, many LG washer owners occasionally run into problems when their machine suddenly stops agitating properly. There are a few common reasons why you might find your LG washer failing to agitate or move the clothing around during the wash cycle.

This could range from a faulty agitator or broken drive belt to an issue with the control board responsible for providing power.

In this article, we will provide troubleshooting tips focused specifically on diagnosing why your LG washer is no longer agitating and practical DIY repair steps you can follow to get this vital function working again.

LG Washer Won’t Agitate or Spin

Is your LG washing machine neither agitating nor spinning? If yes, then here are some of the most common reasons preventing your LG washing from functioning properly:

1. Incoming Power Issues

Before chasing extensive washer repair options, double check your power supply and connections.

Make sure the LG washer is securely plugged in and the wall outlet has correctly rated voltage. You can test live current flow using a multimeter to rule out wall or fuse problems.

Also, check your home breaker panel for any tripped switches interrupting appliance electricity and reset as necessary.

Note: Problems can emerge if washer cords get damaged or dislodged slightly from terminals or extension leads.

2. Lid Not Fully Closed

An extremely simple but easy to forget possible cause of an LG washer not agitating as expected is an improperly closed lid. The mechanically interlocked lid switch is designed to disrupt operation when opened as a safety precaution.

Make sure to fully close and latch the lid, listening for an audible click. Gentle pressure applied helps position the lid into the aligned shutdown position.

Look for possible obstructions stuck near the latch area obstructing proper closure – containers or clothing items catching the fall path can hold the door slightly ajar.

With no obstructions identified, run the washer empty again ensuring complete closure. If the agitation cycle now proceeds normally, then the original issue stemmed from the lid position rather than a larger component or programming washer problem.

3. Motor Rotor Assembly

The motor rotor assembly is a key component that allows your LG washer to agitate properly. Located at the rear of the washer drum, it connects directly to the drive motor and generates the rotational force necessary to move the drum and lift laundry up and down during the wash cycle.

If this rotor becomes damaged, it can prevent effective agitation. Visually inspecting the rotor assembly may reveal cracks or heavy wearing. You may also encounter more vibration or friction when turning the drum by hand.

Replacing the rotor is a straightforward repair. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Unplug the washing machine and open the access panels.
  • Locate and detach the rotor belt to loosen the assembly. Note the routing.
  • Unplug the electrical connections to the motor while noting wire colors/positions.
  • Remove mounting screws to fully detach the old rotor assembly.
  • Clean out the back cavity before installing the new rotor.
  • Align and fit OEM replacement rotor onto the motor shaft.
  • Reattach the rotor belt, ensuring correct routing.
  • Reconnect the electrical plugs to the motor ports according to notes.
  • Close up access panels, plug in machine, hit the power button, and test operation.

4. Suspension Rod

The tub suspension rods stabilize the drum assembly during the intense movement of agitation and spinning.

Over time, fatigue can cause these rods to crack or disconnect from the tub. When broken, suspension rod imbalance will obstruct the necessary tub motion for agitation.

Carefully inspect the four suspension rods for any cracking or detachment from their mounting positions. Any signs of damage necessitate replacement.

With the power disconnected, do these to replace damaged suspension rods:

  • Tip the machine backwards to access the base plate.
  • Locate the faulty suspension rod and remove retaining clips.
  • Slide out the old rod while wiggling side-to-side gently.
  • Slide new rod into openings, pushing firmly into base and tub.
  • Re-clip all suspension rods.
  • Restore power and run agitation diagnostic tests.

5. Drive Belt

The drive belt is a round rubber band that connects the motor pulley to the drum pulley, enabling the spinning force of the motor to rotate the drum for agitation during wash cycles.

If this belt becomes loose or damaged it can prevent sufficient force transfer. Inspect the belt for signs of observable cracks or wear and confirm it still feels taut when pressed down.

To replace, follow these instructions:

  • Unplug power and open the rear access panel.
  • Locate and detach the drive belt from the motor/drum pulleys. Note routing.
  • Rotate the motor and ease the belt off of the motor pulley.
  • Loop the new belt correctly around the pulleys.
  • Ensure the belt is properly seated before closing up the panel.
  • Restore power and run a test cycle.

6. Control Board

The electronic control board (a.k.a., brain of the washer) distributes electric current to drive crucial components like the motor. Faults in the circuits prevent valid signaling to these electronic parts.

A shorted board can sometimes give off a burning smell. Also. it may fail to display the cycle status or power up. A malfunctioning control board often leads to various failures.

You can replace a malfunctioning electronic control board by carrying out these steps:

  • Unplug the washing machine and open the control panel.
  • Label and disconnect all wiring harnesses from control board terminals.
  • Remove mounting screws and detach old control board.
  • Align the new electronic control board replacement and reinsert mounting screws.
  • Reconnect wiring harnesses to proper board terminals.
  • Close up the control panel, restore power, and test operation.

Note: You may need to enter a test and diagnostic mode sequence to sync the replacement board operationally.

7. Timer

While less prevalent, impaired timers influence cycle functions through faulty mechanical operation or power regulation to washer systems.

To replace a faulty timer, do these:

  • Unplug power and remove the outer panels blocking access to the timer.
  • Label and disconnect wiring plugs from the timer module.
  • Remove the mounting screws and extract the old timer unit.
  • Align and insert replacement timer, fixing mounting screws.
  • Reconnect labeled wiring plugs to matching timer terminals.
  • Refit removed outer panels and test with wash cycles.

8. Lid Switch Assembly

The safety lid switch assembly prevents wash activation and spin when the door is intentionally or accidentally opened.

If the lid switch becomes broken, it may not be able to accurately determine if the door is open or closed. This means that it’ll not signal your machine to begin the wash cycle – thereby preventing the agitation or spinning process.

To replace a faulty lid switch assembly, follow these steps:

  • Unplug the washing machine and prop the lid open. You can use a wooden stick or folded towel to keep it open.
  • Label then disconnect the wiring harness from the lid switch.
  • Remove mounting screws and detach the old switch assembly.
  • Align and insert the new lid switch assembly (new LG part) into place.
  • Reconnect wiring harness to terminals on new switch.
  • Remount switch assembly with screws, restore power, and test operation.

LG Washer Won’t Agitate But Will Spin

It’s not all the time that a non-agitating washer will fail to spin as well. Sometimes, there may be some spinning motion but the agitator will still fail to function.

In this case, what do you do? Most times, fixing the problems in the previous section will often work for washing machines that spin without agitation.

However, if none of that has worked, try resolving these problems:

1. Motor Coupling

The drive coupling connects the washer motor to the transmission drive shaft, protecting them from damage if overloaded but becoming worn over frequent use. A broken rubber agitator coupler stops agitation but maintains the ability to spin.

You can replace a damaged motor coupling by following these steps:

  • Unplug power and detach the rear access panels.
  • Disconnect wiring harness plugs from the motor/transmission.
  • Remove mounting bolts/nuts and separate coupling halves.
  • Align new coupling on shafts and fix with mounting hardware.
  • Reconnect wiring harnesses to motor and transmission.
  • Close panels and run a test wash cycle.

2. Suspension Spring

The job of the suspension springs is to stabilize the outer tub as the inner tub spins during wash cycles.

Over time, normal wear can lead these springs to crack and break. A damaged spring throws off the tub’s balance, making smooth agitation impossible and Spin functioning erratic.

Replacing compromised suspension springs is key. To do that, follow these instructions:

  • Unplug the power and remove the washer’s outer tub cover for access.
  • Locate the spring connected to the inner tub and outer base assembly.
  • Detach its hooks or clamps to release the spring.
  • Slide in the replacement part and securely reconnect using the same mount points.
  • Refit the outer tub once all worn springs have been swapped out.
  • Restore power and perform an empty test cycle.

3. Shift Actuator

The shift actuator is the small mechanism responsible for switching the movement of the tub between wash mode agitation and spin mode extraction. If this component jams or breaks entirely, the tub gets stuck, unable to transition to the rapid spinning portion of the cycle.

To replace a damaged shift actuator, follow these steps:

  • Open the top panel and inspect the shift actuator for damage.
  • Remove the mounting screws to detach the faulty actuator from the washer body.
  • Align then insert the new shift actuator, refastening the screws tightly.
  • Connect the electrical wiring harness to integrated pins before closing up the machine.
  • Run a test wash cycle while observing the clear transition between agitation and spin.

4. Drain Pump

Drain pumps push out water from the fill tub at key intervals through a waste pipe. Blockages or worn impeller parts prevent complete drainage, impacting functioning.

If your drain pump is faulty, you can replace it by:

  • Accessing the panels. This allows you to examine pump fittings for obstructions slowing flow.
  • Disconnecting leaking or extremely worn pumps before they leak substantially. Remember to catch residual water spillage.
  • Bolting compatible replacements in place of defective units and ensuring hose connections seal properly.

5. Shock Absorber

Shock absorbers act as cushions between the tub assembly and the outer body of a front-load washer. This prevents excess vibration and noise during operation in the spin and agitation cycles.

If completely used up they require a replacement. To replace a completely used shock absorber, do these:

  • Once power is confirmed as locked out, tip the unit to inspect the rubber shock components.
  • Remove fastener mounts to detach damaged shock absorbers for replacement purposes.
  • Clean contact areas thoroughly before seating new shock-absorbing mounts.
  • Restore all fasteners and panels once the stated torque values for fixing bolts again are achieved.
  • Finish by conducting a quick test cycle without laundry.

Conclusion

LG washers are reliable appliances when they are functioning properly. But if your LG washer should stop agitating or spinning, this guide covers the common potential causes to troubleshoot like broken parts or faulty control boards.

Following our clear step-by-step repair instructions will help you get your washer agitating and spinning again. With some effort, you can often resolve agitation problems yourself without needing to hire service technicians.

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