Lg Washing Machine: increased run time

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing increased run time on your LG washing machine? This symptom often indicates issues like load sensing adjustments, unbalanced laundry, or excessive suds. If your wash cycle is taking longer than expected, it could be due to improper detergent use or drainage problems. Understanding these causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG washers automatically adjust wash time based on load weight and distribution; time can increase without indicating a fault.

Possible Causes

Load sensing and automatic time adjustment

How to Identify: Machine calculates longer time at start or mid‑cycle based on load size or distribution; run time increases without error codes.

Part: Load sensor / control board logic

Unbalanced or improperly distributed laundry

How to Identify: Washer takes longer to spin or redistribute load; uneven distribution noticed during balancing phase.

Part: Drum / load distribution system

Excessive or improper detergent use causing suds

How to Identify: Persistent suds observed during cycle; machine extends rinse time to clear suds.

Part: Detergent system / rinse process

Incorrect cycle selection or long cycle settings

How to Identify: Selected cycle inherently longer (e.g., eco, bulky, sanitize; timer reflects longer baseline time.

Part: User settings / electronic control

Slow water fill due to water inlet valve or low water pressure

How to Identify: Cycle stalls or slows at water fill stage; noticeable slow filling.

Part: Water inlet valve / household water supply

Drainage issues (clogged filter or hose)

How to Identify: Washer pauses to drain multiple times; leftover water seen after spin.

Part: Drain pump filter / drain hose

DIY Solutions

Rebalance and properly load laundry

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Pause machine and open door.
  2. Redistribute clothes evenly inside drum; avoid overloading.
  3. Restart wash with balanced load.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is paused and drum stopped before opening.

Use correct detergent amount and type

Easy 2–3 minutes
  1. Check detergent packaging for recommended amount for load size and water hardness.
  2. Use high‑efficiency (HE) detergent for front‑load LG washers.
  3. Avoid using excess detergent which creates extra suds.

Select appropriate cycle settings

Easy 1–2 minutes
  1. Review your selected cycle and options (e.g., quick wash vs eco modes).
  2. Choose a shorter cycle suitable for lighter or less soiled loads.
  3. Avoid additional options that extend time unless needed.

Clean drain pump filter

Moderate 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: towels, container
  1. Turn off and unplug washer.
  2. Open access panel at lower front.
  3. Place a container under filter door.
  4. Remove and clean debris from filter.
  5. Reinstall filter and test machine.
⚠️ Safety First: Be prepared for water spillage.

Check water supply and inlet filters

Moderate 10–15 minutes
Tools Needed: wrench, bucket
  1. Turn off water supply.
  2. Disconnect inlet hoses from washer.
  3. Clean small mesh filters in hose ends.
  4. Reattach and test water fill speed.
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off water supply before disconnecting hoses.

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $80–$200

Service control board or sensors

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

Drain pump replacement

Estimated Cost: $70–$180

When to Call a Professional

Machine consistently fails to fill or drain despite DIY steps
Error codes related to water inlet, sensors, or control board persist
Unusual noises (grinding or humming) during cycles

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Drainage issues that extend cycle duration
    Frequency: monthly
  • Clean inlet hose filters: Slow water fill related time increases
    Frequency: quarterly
  • Balance loads and use HE detergent: Unbalanced loads and excess suds that prolong cycle
    Frequency: every load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine increased run time?
Common causes include load sensing adjustments, unbalanced laundry, excessive detergent use, or slow water fill.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine increased run time myself?
Rebalance your laundry load, use the correct detergent amount, and select appropriate cycle settings.
How much does it cost to fix increased run time?
Professional repairs can cost between $70 and $400, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for increased run time?
If troubleshooting fails or if the issue involves complex repairs like the control board or drain pump.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Water heater setting is too low, causing longer heating times.
  • Faulty water inlet valve leading to slow water fill.
  • Clogged or dirty filters affecting water flow and drainage.

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Adjust the water heater setting to a higher temperature to ensure the water heats up quickly. Check the manufacturer's recommended settings for optimal performance.

  2. Inspect and replace the water inlet valve if it is malfunctioning. Turn off the water supply, disconnect the valve, and install a new one if necessary.

  3. Clean the filters and hoses connected to the washing machine. Remove any debris or buildup that could be obstructing water flow.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Why has my LG washer run time increased by 20 mins overnight...

Community Discussions

run time increased by 20 mins

Adjusting the water heater setting resolved the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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