LG washers are known for their reliability and robustness, making them one of the most popular and well-respected appliance manufacturers. Yet despite all the praise these products receive, users can sometimes have a problem where their washers won’t turn on.
This can be quite alarming at first glance as it may appear like the machine is now broken, but don’t worry! It’s probably not as bad as it seems.
We often find the problem is caused by something quite small, which you can easily address without specialized tools or skills.
So in this article, we’re going to walk through all the most common reasons why your LG washer won’t turn on and then guide you through how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Why won’t your LG Washer Turn On?
The first hurdle to overcome is diagnosing exactly what is wrong with the machine. Many potential causes can differ depending on whether you use a top-loading or front-loading washing machine.
So let’s first go through all the potential causes of this problem so you can understand precisely what you’re dealing with before we fix the problem.
1. A Power Supply Issue
This is by far the most common problem we run into when an LG washing machine doesn’t turn on.
Washers require a stable and consistent power supply to function, so if, for any reason, the power supply is severed or becomes inconsistent, you will run into problems with the LG washing machine.
The first thing to check is the circuit breaker; if a power surge has flipped the breaker, it won’t turn on until it’s flipped back to the on position.
The power cord and plug should be inspected and tested for functionality if it’s still not working as well as the outlet that it plugs into.
Suppose you’re using the washer on a multi-plug or power strip. In that case, we strongly recommend moving the appliance to its dedicated outlet, as they are not designed to work alongside other power-hungry items on a single power supply.
2. A Problem with the Start Button
Even though LG (and most modern appliances) are leaning heavier into the flat, buttonless touchscreen control panels, one thing that’s still generally left as a regular pressable button is the start button.
As this is a physical movable switch, it can build up dirt and debris or have something sticky spilled on it, which will cause the button to become stuck, preventing it from triggering.
Luckily LG customer support has given us some easy steps we can take to clean this button out and restore its functionality with minimal fuss.
3. The Machine needs to be Power Cycled
As we mentioned, modern appliances are leaning heavier and heavier into computer-controlled functionality with touchscreens and additional useful features that wouldn’t be achievable with conventional menus.
However, an unfortunate byproduct of this is that it’s become more and more common to see LG appliances develop minor bugs and glitches, which make the machine behave strangely.
In this case, power cycling the machine and allowing all residual energy to dissipate from the capacitors will often solve small issues like this.
4. The Thermal Fuse has Blown
The thermal fuse is a safety component responsible for monitoring the LG washing machine’s internal temperature as it operates. Should the temperature exceed a certain threshold, the fuse will blow it and immediately turn the machine off, to protect against fire or further component damage.
It’s a great safety feature that helps to keep you safe. However, these are one-time-use components, so once it blows, you will need to replace them with a new one.
You can test your thermal fuse by using a multimeter to ascertain whether it’s functional; if it’s dead, you’ll need to install a new one.
This process is relatively easy as LG understands users might want to do this themselves s,o replacement thermal fuses are quite cheap and easy to replace within the washer.
5. The Lid Switch is Faulty
The lid of an LG washer has a special sensor that tells the machine the lid is fully closed and that it’s time to start the machine up.
This can be a point of confusion for some users who are used to opening the lid mid-cycle to add extra items. But the lid must be closed purely for the act of starting up.
However, if this lid switch becomes faulty, the machine will think the lid is still open even though it’s closed. So we need to test the switch for functionality.
There are two main parts here: the mechanical latch should create an audible click when the lid is closed. If you don’t hear this click, then it may indicate that the component is broken and needs to be replaced.
If you do hear the latching sound bu,t the machine still won’t turn on, it may be a problem with the sensor, and that should instead be replaced.
6. The Control Board is Faulty
The control board is the panel on the front of the machine, which contains all the buttons. It’s the brain of the load washer.
These are complicated devices with many wires and connections that carry signals to the various parts of the LG front load washer when you push a button.
Sometimes when the load washer doesn’t start, it’s because this control board has developed a fault and needs to be replaced as they are unfortunately a bit too complicated to user-diagnose and repair.
7. The Timer is Broken
The timer inside an LG front load washer is essentially a complicated timer motor with a series of electrical contacts that open and close to control various aspects of the machine.
On more modern appliances, this may be a computer-controlled digital component.
Whether your timer is mechanical or digital, sometimes these components can become faulty, preventing a wash cycle from being initiated and giving the impression that the washer can’t turn on.
In either case, this component will need to be tested, and if deemed faulty, it should be replaced.
How to fix an LG Washer that Won’t Turn On
This problem can be caused by a wide variety of issues, from simple bugs which require an easy reset of the machine to blown components that need replacing.
Let’s now look at how to fix these problems so you can restore your LG Washer to working order.
1. Check and Fix the Power Supply
LG Washers require a stable and consistent power supply to function. But for various reasons, this may have become interrupted, and we must restore the power before the washer turns on.
Start by checking the circuit breaker to see if your washer’s circuit has been tripped due to a power surge, for example. If it’s in the off position, flick it back over to the on position.
The next thing to check is that the power cord and plug are working. The simplest way to do this is by removing and testing the cable on another appliance, as they use a standardized AC cable. If it’s broken, you can simply replace it with another.
Finally, you should ensure that the washer has its own dedicated wall outlet and isn’t being used on a power strip or multi-plug, as it can cause problems for the machine.
2. Clean out the Power Button
If the power button is having problems, we need to clean out any debris or sticky residue built up in and around the button. LG recommends turning the machine off and pressing the button with some pressure at different angles. This can help break up any debris, or if the button is sticky, it can help to dislodge it.
If this doesn’t work, you can also apply some rubbing alcohol and repeat the process to help clean it.
3. Hard Reset the Machine
Sometimes the electronic systems will develop a bug or glitch which won’t go away until you power cycle or hard reset the machine.
Fortunately, this process is straightforward. Simply turn off the machine and then unplug it from the wall. It’s important to physically remove the power cable from the wall to let the residual energy discharge from the capacitors.
Wait for about 1 minute, then plug the washer back in and power it up.
4. Replace the Thermal Fuse
If you have tested the thermal fuse and it’s deemed broken, it will need to be replaced.
Once you’ve sourced a replacement thermal fuse from LG, follow these easy steps to install it:
- Start by removing the back panel of the washer to reveal the thermal fuse.
- If you’re unsure of its exact location, you can refer to your user manual, which will tell you.
- Unplug the wires and remove the single screw that holds the thermal fuse in place.
- Pull out the old fuse and discard it.
- Install the new thermal fuse in its place.
- Re-attach the screws and wires.
- Re-attach the back panel of the dryer.
It’s worth running a quick wash after to check that the thermal fuse is working.
5. Replace the Door Switch and Sensor
If the door switch is deemed faulty, it will also need to be replaced.
However, due to the sensitive nature of these components, it’s much harder to do this by yourself. So in this scenario, we recommend contacting LG customer support, who will help arrange a replacement switch and a technician to help install it for you.
6. Replace the Main Control Board
Much like the lid switch, if the main control board is faulty, it’s extremely difficult to diagnose and repair, so in most cases, it will need to be replaced.
Once again, you should contact LG support, who will help you through this process.
7. Replace the Broken Timer
If the timer mechanism or switch is broken, it will need to be replaced. You can contact LG directly to source a replacement timer, or you can also find them available on various third-party websites too.
To replace the timer, it’s a simple case of removing the housing, then removing the old timer, and replacing it with the new one.
If you’re not confident about doing this, the easiest option is to have LG support help you through this process.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
