What 1E actually means
The machine isn't filling with water quickly enough, so it has stopped and flagged a water inlet problem.
This code (properly IE on LG machines, though the display often looks like 1E) means the machine started the fill part of the cycle but didn't get the water it expected within the time allowed. It halts rather than carrying on, because washing or heating with too little water would damage the drum and heater. The drum will usually be empty or barely wet when you open it.
What usually causes it
- A partly closed or limescaled water tap
- A kinked or trapped fill hose behind the machine
- A blocked filter gauze in the inlet where the hose screws on
- Low mains water pressure at the time of the fill
- A failed water inlet valve he DC type on newer LG machines and a common find on site
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Check the cold tap feeding the machine is fully open and water runs from it freely
- Pull the machine out gently and make sure the fill hose isn't kinked, crushed or trapped behind it
- If other taps in the house are also weak, wait and retry it may be a temporary pressure drop
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short cycle to see if the code returns
When to call someone
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
Other LG washing machine codes
- LG AE — Water has been detected in the base of the machine, so LG's …
- LG DE — Your LG washing machine can't confirm the door is shut and l…
- LG FE — Your LG washing machine has taken on more water than it shou…
- LG IE — Your LG isn't getting enough water into the drum in the time…
- LG LE — The machine has tried to spin the drum but the motor isn't t…
- LG OE — Your LG washer hasn't managed to empty the water out within …
- LG PE — Your LG washing machine can't tell how much water is in the …
- LG TE — The machine has spotted a problem with the sensor that tells…