LG washing machine won't turn on

Everyone knows that to turn on an LG washing machine, you first plug it into a power outlet and then press the on/off button. The control panel will light up, and the machine is ready to start the wash cycle. If your LG washing machine doesn't turn on, no matter how many times you press the button, there's either a breakdown or a power supply issue. We'll need to check both to determine the cause of this "outrage."

List of possible problems

Popular wisdom says, "If your washing machine acts like there's a power outage, it probably is." Of course, it's a joke, but still, try flicking the bathroom light switch, just in case there really is a short outage. If your power is working properly, you may need to investigate the following possible causes:

• the network cable is broken;
• the socket that powers the LG washing machine does not work;
• FPS is out of order;

The fuse box on LG washing machines often burns out due to power surges in the electrical network.

• The on/off button does not work.

Of course, the control module or individual semiconductor components could have burned out completely. But in that case, you'll need to contact a specialist, as it's difficult to detect such a malfunction without specialized knowledge. So, let's check what we can ourselves and hope the cause is simple.

Checking external communications

So, after you've flicked the switch and confirmed that there's power in the house, the next step is to check the outlet your LG washing machine is plugged into. What should you do? Check the electrical panel and see if the circuit breaker supplying the outlet has tripped. Unplug the washing machine and plug another appliance into the same outlet: a kettle, a table lamp, or a microwave. If the appliance works as normal, then your LG washing machine is indeed faulty.

The power isn't turning on? Then the next thing to check is the power cord. Sometimes users manage to place something heavy on the power cord, perhaps even the LG washing machine itself. What happens next is easy to guess: the cord breaks down and stops powering the appliance.

We pull out the entire length of the network cable and inspect it carefully. If there are burns or melting marks on the plug or any section of the wire, then the wire is most likely broken. But a hidden breakdown is also possible. Take a multimeter, set it to ohmmeter mode, and test the continuity of the wire. A faulty wire will need to be replaced.

Removing the control panel unit

Let's assume the network cable is fine. That means the problem lies somewhere in the control unit. To continue the investigation, we need to remove this unit and then disassemble it. Let's get to work.

1. First you need to remove the lid from an LG washing machine.
2. Next, you need to remove the powder receptacle and put it aside.
   
3. We take a Phillips screwdriver and unscrew the screws that are located next to the powder receptacle niche on the right and left.
   
4. Using the same screwdriver, press in the latches of the control unit, then carefully separate the unit from the housing.

Be careful with the bundle of wires that connects the case to the control panel.

We won't remove the wires for now. However, if you need to completely separate the control unit from the housing during the inspection, take a photo of the wire locations first so you can easily reconnect everything later.

Repair of the FPS, transformer, and on/off button

For now, let's remove the control unit, placing it aside on top of the machine's body. First, we need to check and fix any faulty FPS, if any. A noise filter can be found under the housing cover on top.

We ring it with a multimeter. If the part doesn't ring, it needs to be replaced. If it's OK, we return to the unit. We disconnect the wires and then disassemble the unit to access the transformer. We visually inspect the tracks to ensure the transformer hasn't come loose, and then we begin ringing it with a multimeter. If a fault is detected, then DIY repairs will involve either re-soldering the tracks or replacing the transformer; there's nothing else we can do.

An LG direct-drive washing machine may stop turning on for another reason. Why? Because of the start button. Again, grab a multimeter and test the contacts for this button, while also checking the start and on/off buttons. Once you've identified the problem, grab a soldering iron, resolder the wires, remove the faulty buttons, and solder in new ones. Finally, connect the control unit and turn on the power. If the light blinks, the power is working and the machine will work.

   

Readers' comments