LG 1E washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

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 1E looks like on a LG washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a LG washing machine, 1E usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

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

Common questions about LG 1E

What does 1E mean on a LG washing machine?

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.

Can I fix LG 1E myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

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.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair LG 1E?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing 1E?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

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

All LG fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

LG 1E error — washing machine