My LG washing machine displays 'IE' error and won't fill

Wiki Article

An "IE" (Inlet Error) error on your LG washing machine means the washer has been unable to fill with water to the required level within a specific timeframe—typically around 8 minutes after starting a cycle .

While this error can be alarming, the cause is often a simple issue you can resolve in minutes without any tools. Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to diagnosing and fixing the problem yourself before calling for service.

### Step 1: Check the Basics (The "Easy Fixes")

Before pulling the machine away from the wall, check the most obvious potential problems.

**1. Is the water supply turned on?**

It sounds simple, but it is the most common cause. Ensure both the hot and cold water faucets (taps) behind the machine are fully opened by turning them counterclockwise. If you recently moved the machine or had plumbing work done, these may have been accidentally turned off .

**2. Check for a kinked hose.**

If the washing machine was pushed too close to the wall, the heavy rubber hoses at the back might be bent or crushed. Pull the machine forward slightly and straighten out any kinks or sharp bends in the hoses to allow water to flow freely .

**3. Is it freezing cold?**

If the temperature is below freezing, the water inside the supply hoses or the pipes themselves may have frozen. If you suspect this is the case, turn off the water, disconnect the hoses, and pour warm water (below 50°C or 120°F) over them to thaw the ice. *Do not use boiling water* .

### Step 2: Clean the Inlet Filters (The Most Likely Fix)

If the hoses are straight and the taps are on but the water flows slowly, the tiny mesh filters inside the water inlet valves are likely clogged with sediment, rust, or sand from your pipes .

**How to clean them:**

1.  **Unplug the washer** and turn off the hot and cold water faucets.

2.  Unscrew the fill hoses from the *back of the washing machine* (not the wall). Keep a towel handy as water will spill out.

3.  Look inside the water intake ports on the washer. You will see small mesh screens.

4.  Use needle-nose pliers to pull the filters out gently.

5.  Rinse the filters under running water and scrub them gently with an old toothbrush to remove debris.

6.  Pop the filters back in, reconnect the hoses (tighten by hand, then a quarter turn with pliers), and turn the water back on .

### Step 3: Inspect the Drain Hose (The "Siphoning" Effect)

If water *is* going into the machine but immediately running out the drain, the washer will keep trying to fill and eventually display an IE error. This is often caused by the drain hose being pushed too far down the standpipe .

**How to check:**

- Locate the drain hose where it enters your home's plumbing pipe (standpipe).

- Pull the hose out slightly. The end of the hose should be inserted only **4 to 6 inches (approx. 10 cm)** into the pipe.

- If it is pushed too deep, it creates a "siphoning" effect, sucking water out of the machine as fast as it comes in .

### Step 4: Test the Water Pressure

Is the water just trickling out? You need to verify if the problem is your washer or your home's water supply.

**How to test:**

- Turn off the washer and unplug it.

- Turn off the faucets and disconnect the fill hoses from the *washer only*.

- Place the ends of the hoses into a bucket.

- Turn the faucets back on fully.

- **Observation:** If the water shoots out with strong pressure, your washer's internal valves or electronics are likely the issue. If the water trickles out weakly, you have low home water pressure or a blocked pipe, and you may need to call a plumber .

### Step 5: Reset the Machine

Sometimes, the computer simply glitches. After performing the physical checks above, reset the system to clear the error code.

- **Simple Reset:** Unplug the washing machine from the wall outlet. Wait for **5 minutes**. Plug it back in. This often resets the control board .

- **Cycle Reset:** Select a new cycle (like "Rinse & Spin") and press start. If the IE code does not return immediately, the issue is resolved.

### When to Call for Service

If you have completed all the steps above (checked faucets, cleaned filters, verified drain height, and confirmed strong home water pressure) but the IE error persists, the issue is likely internal component failure.

You will likely need an LG service technician to replace:

- **The Water Inlet Valves:** The electronic solenoids that open to let water in may have failed .

- **The Pressure Switch:** This sensor tells the computer how much water is in the tub. If it is faulty, the machine may not realize it is empty .

In these cases, visit the LG Support website to request a repair, as these parts require disassembly of the machine .