What FE actually means
Your LG washing machine has taken on more water than it should, so it has stopped and shown FE.
FE is the overfill warning. The machine monitors the water level, and when it sees more water in the drum than the programme called for, it halts rather than carry on filling. Very often it means the water inlet valve at the back of the machine is not shutting fully ypically because grit has lodged in it, so water keeps trickling in even when the machine hasn't asked for any \u2014 which is why some people find the drum full again hours after a wash.
What usually causes it
- Inlet water valve stuck part-open by dirt or scale, letting water dribble in unpowered
- Grit or debris in the valve holding it off its seat
- Water level sensing (pressure) system misreading the level
- Faulty control board wrongly holding the valve open
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.
- Turn the water supply tap off at the wall, then turn the machine off at the socket for a minute and back on \u2014 if the drum keeps filling with the machine switched off, the valve is passing water and needs replacing.
- Pull the detergent drawer out with the machine off and look for water dripping into the empty compartment; steady dripping points at the inlet valve.
- Check the fill hose isn't kinked and the tap is fully open or fully closed as you'd expect.
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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 1E — The machine isn't filling with water quickly enough, so it h…
- 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 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…