Lg Washing Machine: long wash cycle

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing longer wash cycles on your LG washing machine? This issue may arise from various factors such as inappropriate cycle settings, overloaded laundry, excessive detergent use, or even clogged filters. Understanding these causes can help you restore efficient washing performance and save time.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG machines have many cycle options and features that inherently vary durations; some cycles are designed to be longer (e.g., Hygienic/Allergiene).

Possible Causes

Appropriate cycle duration and features

How to Identify: Cycle duration aligns with documented longer times for selected programs.

Part: Control/program settings

Load size and type (overloading or bulky/heavily soiled items)

How to Identify: Washer filled near maximum capacity or with heavy/bulky items (towels, blankets, and cycle times increase accordingly.

Part: Load sensing system

Excessive detergent and suds

How to Identify: Visible excessive suds, longer rinse phases, potentially residue on clothes; using more-than-recommended detergent.

Part: Detergent system

Unbalanced load triggering redistribution

How to Identify: Machine pauses or adjusts mid-cycle to rebalance load; uneven distribution of clothes inside the drum.

Part: Load sensing/balance system

Low water pressure or slow water fill

How to Identify: Slow initial fill, extended fill phases; low household water pressure or partially closed valves.

Part: Water inlet valve/supply

Clogged drain pump/filter

How to Identify: Slow drainage, water remaining in drum mid-cycle, potential error indicators on display.

Part: Drain pump assembly

Malfunctioning sensors (e.g., water level/temperature)

How to Identify: Inconsistent readings, machine not detecting clean load or water levels appropriately.

Part: Sensor modules

Faulty water inlet valve

How to Identify: Significant slow filling or failure to fill, extended fill times impacting cycle.

Part: Water inlet valve

DIY Solutions

Use appropriate wash cycle and settings

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Review and select a cycle with shorter documented duration (e.g., Quick Wash) if appropriate for the laundry.
  2. Avoid enabling extra features (steam, sanitize) unless needed.

Adjust load size and distribution

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Remove excessive clothes to ensure load is within recommended capacity.
  2. Redistribute clothes evenly around the drum for balance.

Reduce detergent amount

Easy 2 minutes
  1. Measure detergent according to manufacturer recommendations for load size.
  2. Ensure use of HE detergent if required by machine.

Check and clean drain pump/filter

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: bucket, towel
  1. Turn off and unplug the machine.
  2. Locate the drain pump/filter access panel (usually at the bottom front).
  3. Place a bucket/towel underneath, open the panel, remove and clean debris from filter.
  4. Reassemble and test wash cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Risk of water spill; unplug before access.

Check water supply pressure and inlet screens

Moderate 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: wrench
  1. Turn off water supply, disconnect inlet hoses.
  2. Inspect inlet screens for debris, clean gently with brush.
  3. Reconnect hoses and ensure valves are fully open.

Professional Repairs

Replace faulty water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $50-$150

Sensor diagnostic and replacement

Estimated Cost: $100-$250

When to Call a Professional

Cycle remains excessively long after adjusting load size, settings, and cleaning filters.
Water fill is very slow or does not reach required levels despite valve and pressure checks.
Signs of mechanical or sensor malfunctions (error codes, inconsistent behavior).

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean drain pump filter: Drainage slowdowns that can extend cycle duration
    Frequency: every 1–3 months
  • Use correct detergent amounts: Excessive suds that can prolong cycles
    Frequency: each load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine long wash cycle?
Common causes include inappropriate cycle settings, overloaded laundry, and excessive detergent.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine long wash cycle myself?
Try using the right cycle, adjusting load size, reducing detergent, and cleaning the drain pump.
How much does it cost to fix long wash cycle?
Professional repair costs range from $50 to $250, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for long wash cycle?
Call a technician if DIY solutions don't work or if you suspect faulty components.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Overloading the washing machine, which can lead to longer cycles as the machine struggles to clean efficiently.
  • Using the wrong wash cycle settings for the type of load, such as selecting heavy-duty for lighter fabrics.
  • A clogged or dirty filter that restricts water flow, causing the machine to extend wash times.

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Reduce the load size to ensure the machine can wash efficiently. Try washing smaller batches and see if the cycle time decreases.

  2. Check and adjust the wash cycle settings according to the fabric type. Use normal settings for regular loads and avoid heavy-duty cycles for lighter fabrics.

  3. Inspect and clean the filter to ensure there are no clogs. Refer to the user manual for instructions on accessing and cleaning the filter.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. LG washing machine taking a long time to wash

Community Discussions

washing machine taking a long time to wash

Reducing load size can decrease wash time significantly.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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