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LG washer won't turn on

5,695 Views | 30 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by OnlyForNow
maroon barchetta
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Tried this on the GB and got some fun responses. Before I enter the queue for LG tech support I thought I would ask you fine people for input.

We have an LG washer that won't turn on in the normal fashion.

We have tried the trick where you "reset" it by unplugging, holding the power button for five seconds, then holding the start button for five seconds, then plugging it back in.

No bueno. That doesn't solve it. You still have to unplug and plug back in every time you want to run a wash load.

However…

If you power up the dryer to dry a load of clothes, the washer will power up the display panel.

Is this an issue with the control board or the noise filter?

I don't want to throw parts at it but those two seem like the most obvious culprits based on the videos I have watched (where experienced repairmen with their own appliance repair business did indeed throw parts at it).
Sweet Kitten Feet
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S
Your washer will only turn on when a completely separate appliance is running?
maroon barchetta
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Sometimes. Not always.

It's an odd one.
Sweet Kitten Feet
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S
Completely separate machines, not a combined unit? Is the dryer on a separate 220 outlet?
maroon barchetta
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Yes

That's why I was wondering if maybe the noise filter was affected somehow.

The washer is on a home run to the breaker panel. The dryer is 220 on its own home run to the panel.

Sometimes when I start the dryer, the washer display will light up.

On the GB thread, someone suggested plugging the washer into an extension cord and run it to another outlet that's on a different breaker.

We just had the power for the washer and the dryer moved from the utility closet into the garage. Same breakers, just different locations for where the power ends up. Washer and dryer are now in the garage.

BenTheGoodAg
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AG
maroon barchetta said:

On the GB thread, someone suggested plugging the washer into an extension cord and run it to another outlet that's on a different breaker.
Was going to suggest something similar. If this didn't fix it, my money is on the unit. Just a free 'throw it at the wall' suggestion - check to make sure your neutral is bonded to ground properly at the main panel. A floating neutral can do funky things, and could maybe explain the relationship between the two separate appliances.

Admittedly, I'm not familiar with the noise filter on a washing machine, but found one with a google search. What's the model number for the unit? Or if you have a schematic, can you post it?
maroon barchetta
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MW2010CW
BenTheGoodAg
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AG
If you have a multimeter, you could check the voltage between terminals 1 & 3 (Neutral & Hot) circled red. And maybe run through some of the scenarios you mentioned above, like starting your dryer to see if the voltage changes. If you see a lot of changes or irregularities, then check the terminals 1 & 3 circled blue for the same thing.

I think this will tell you about the health of the noise filter. If red and blue points act significantly differently, I'd guess the noise filter has gone bad.

Gary79Ag
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AG
Contact the experts at appliancepartspros.com. They'll help troubleshoot it and recommend the part needed to resolve your issue. And if the part doesn't resolve the issue, you can return it for a 100% full refund. Saved me thousands of dollars over the years since I was informed of them!

https://www.appliancepartspros.com/repair-help/

Chat or call links in upper left of website!
aka The Legendary *******!!!
maroon barchetta
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Thank you for that input!
maroon barchetta
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Thanks for the info and the link. I went thru the online troubleshooting with LG virtual assistant and also went thru the phone troubleshooting menu until I could get a live person from tech support.

"Paul" or "Steve" or someone similarly named from Bangalore went thru his script on my washer until I stopped him and said "let me save us both some time".

I walked him thru the problem and said that most stuff online points to noise filter or control board but I don't know which, could he tell me?

He said I need to contact a qualified repair technician in my area.

Yeah. That would be one solution. I was just hoping someone had encountered a similar problem and knew the solution.
Olag00
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AG
My LG has actually been doing this intermittingly since I relocated to a rental and it didn't happen at my old house. It doesn't happen enough for me to investigate yet (knock on wood) but I have started putting money away for either full replacement or parts replacement. I will see if it still does it when I get to a new location.

htxag09
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AG
We had a Kenmore, which is made by LG, and it was doing a similar issue.

A little over a year ago it wouldn't turn on after running a load. But if we unplugged it and plugged it back in it would turn right on. It would run a load perfectly fine then wouldn't turn on after that load, again. That happened for a few weeks/months then it started operating normally. I never experienced what you are describing with the dryer, though.

Fast forward to last month and it wouldn't turn on at all. Tried unplugging it, at the breaker box, etc, nothing. I took off the top and checked where the voltage stopped into the machine and it was at the main control board. Not sure if the issues were related or completely separate/coincidental. But assumed it was something in that control board going bad that eventually just gave out completely.

That part was around $300 and the washer was 11 or 12 years old so we just replaced with an LG that fit on our existing pedestal.....

Edit to add: my research and a call with a technician backed what Benthegoodag described in his post, that noise filter is the most common issue and pretty cheap to replace. He said if it was that to replace the part and move on, no question. But, unfortunately, it was the main control/power board for me.
maroon barchetta
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Thanks for the info.

The control board is about $230 and easy to replace based on the videos I have seen.
Gary79Ag
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AG
Just jumper over and bypass the freaking POS noise filter! Back in business and Profit!
aka The Legendary *******!!!
maroon barchetta
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Gary79Ag said:

Just jumper over and bypass the freaking POS noise filter! Back in business and Profit!


Don't know how to do that or if it's safe.
maroon barchetta
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Swapped outlets. Different breakers for the outlets in this experiment.

Ran a wash load. Afterwards, transferred the clothes to the dryer. Started the dryer. Display on the washer immediately lights up like I just turned it on.

Turned it off.

Let the dryer do its job.

Tried to turn the washer on again. No go. I'll have to unplug and plug it in again to run the next wash load.

Noise filter ? Control board?
tgivaughn
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AG
I agree with Gary79 above

so all I can offer is where I have been and what I would do.
I used to be a spend time not money guy but now as friends, family pass on
now a spend money not precious time guy.

Weird
Samsung TV a few years ago started to act funny with details I can't recall nor related to your incidents but I had to unplug-plug it in order to get control of it!
1. installed a remote outlet for TV since it was out of reach, needed a step stool to reach, then used its remote to off-on it for months
2. resetting TV manually was blocked, no remote came with it, the universal remote in control had no resetting powers; finally found the cellphone TV app, reset TV ... no more need for off-on work-arounds forever since


What I would do
Assuming washer is over 5 years old and the big part might be $200,
I would replace washer and plub it into a surge protector outlet then into the outlet.

Washer younger than 5 years old, maybe-might-if-feeling-lucky buy the circuit board $200 IF the appliance guys said 90% positive this is the cure.

https://www.appliancepartspros.com/lg-pcb-assembly-main-ebr43249701-ap5078625.html

FYI: Love our LG washer, new Jul 2017 but this year one of the buttons is VERY fickle, even when pressed several times = many times we give up (the one that "wastes" water with a full tub)
Ten words or less ... a goal unattainable
BenTheGoodAg
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AG
Did you fix it?
maroon barchetta
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BenTheGoodAg said:

Did you fix it?


New noise filter is on the way. Talked to the people at the site referenced above and they are pretty convinced that's what it is.
BenTheGoodAg
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AG
Glad they can confirm what Texags already knew.
TXTransplant
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Making a mental note of this thread. I have a similar issue with my LG washer randomly not wanting to turn on. Haven't seen any correlation with operating the dryer, but it's a good bit older than the washing machine (not sure if that makes a difference or not).

Sometimes I just push the power button several times and it eventually comes on. The last time it happened, I had to unplug/replug.
pocketrockets06
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AG
I had a similar problem with a washer and found in a YouTube comment that the solution was to clean some corrosion off a circuit inside the control panel. A little isopropyl alcohol on a q tip solved the issue right as I was ready to order a new panel
maroon barchetta
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My new noise filter has not arrived so maybe I can try that!
maroon barchetta
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My son changed out the noise filter today while I was at work.

The washer does not behave any differently than before it was replaced.

Looks like a control board problem.
muleshoe
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AG
Try all american appliance repair. We have a LG washer and they have worked on it a few times. Always done a great job, and would recommend. 210-627-7424. Ask for Frank to do the work.
maroon barchetta
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Not sure I see an Aggieland location for them.

I'll check for dirty stuff first.
muleshoe
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AG
S! Sorry…..
OnlyForNow
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AG
Wtf is a noise filter on a washing machine?
maroon barchetta
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OnlyForNow said:

Wtf is a noise filter on a washing machine?


It's a doo-dad that handles electrical noise.
OnlyForNow
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AG
Ok got it.
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