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LG Washing Machine Error Code FE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Water overflow error — drum overfilling

The most common cause of the FE error on a LG washing machine is failed water inlet valve stuck open (~55% of cases); start with: check the pressure hose.

💰 DIY cost: $30–$70 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$300 Save $120+ by doing it yourself
LG Washing Machine error code FE on the display panel
How the FE code appears on a LG washing machine display

What Does Error Code FE Mean on a LG Washing Machine?

Water overflow error — drum overfilling.

The FE (Flow/overFill Error) code fires when the pressure sensor reports a water level above the maximum safe threshold, meaning the tub is overfilling. The control board reacts by draining immediately to prevent leaks. It differs from IE (inlet/no-fill), which signals too little water arriving. FE typically points to an inlet valve stuck open letting water in continuously, or a pressure sensor misreading level due to a kinked or disconnected pressure hose.

Models affected: LG front-load and top-load washers across the current lineup, including models such as the WM3900HWA, WM4000HBA, WM4500HBA, WM3400CW, WT7300CW, WT7900HBA, and WM8100HVA
What owners report: Owners commonly report FE appearing right after the tub fills, often with water actively draining. A quick win some report is checking whether the inlet valve keeps admitting water after the cycle stops; shutting off the supply taps can confirm a stuck valve. A pinched or clogged pressure hose is another frequent, easily overlooked culprit.

What Causes Error Code FE?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Failed water inlet valve stuck open 55% of cases
  2. 2
    Faulty pressure sensor (water level sensor) 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Pressure hose to sensor kinked or disconnected 15% of cases

How to Fix LG Washing Machine Error Code FE

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Check the pressure hose

    The pressure hose connects the tub to the pressure sensor. Make sure it is not kinked, blocked, or disconnected.

  2. 2

    Test the pressure sensor

    Disconnect the hose from the sensor and gently blow into the hose port — you should hear a click from the sensor.

  3. 3

    Test and replace the water inlet valve

    A stuck-open inlet valve continuously allows water in. Test by turning off the water supply when the error occurs. If water stops, the valve needs replacement.

    🔩 LG water inlet valve ($30–$70)

How to Reset Error Code FE

Turn off water supply and unplug the washer. Drain remaining water through the pump filter. After repair, restart with water supply restored.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full LG washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Washer not filling →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the inlet valve is replaced and overflow continues, the pressure sensor needs replacement or the control board has a fault.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$300

Related Error Codes

IE
Water inlet error — water not filling within expected time
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code FE appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows FE →

Samsung logo
Samsung Dryer FE
Frequency error — abnormal power supply frequency

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your LG Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
LG Washing Machine repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More LG Washing Machine Error Codes

OE Drainage error — water not draining within expected time UE Unbalanced load — cannot complete spin cycle LE Motor locked — hall sensor or stator fault dE Door open or door lock failure tCL Tub clean reminder — drum needs cleaning HE Heater error — water heater circuit fault

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my LG Washing Machine when error FE appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while FE is active can worsen the water-level fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes FE on a LG Washing Machine? +
Across reported LG washing machine repairs, the most frequent is failed water inlet valve stuck open (55% of cases), faulty pressure sensor (water level sensor) (30%), then pressure hose to sensor kinked or disconnected (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
FE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored FE fault; if it returns, the water-level problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check the pressure hose, then test the pressure sensor — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix LG Washing Machine error FE? +
A DIY repair typically runs $30–$70 in parts, versus $150–$300 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $120. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which LG Washing Machine models show error FE? +
FE is documented on LG front-load and top-load washers across the current lineup, including models such as the WM3900HWA, WM4000HBA, WM4500HBA, WM3400CW, WT7300CW, WT7900HBA, and WM8100HVA. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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