Lg Washing Machine: not heating

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your LG washing machine not heating water during cycles like Sanitary or high-temp washes? If the machine fills and runs but the water remains cold, it could be due to a faulty heating element or issues with the control board. Understanding the causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG provides official troubleshooting for water heater malfunction and reminds users to use proper wash cycles.

Possible Causes

Faulty internal heating element

How to Identify: Water remains cold despite correct temperature setting; heating element continuity test shows open circuit or visible damage/corrosion

Part: Heating element (tubular heater)

Control board or relay failure

How to Identify: No voltage delivered to heater despite correct settings and good heater element; diagnostic codes or power tests indicate control issue

Part: Main control board / heater relay

DIY Solutions

Verify and Select Correct Hot/Warm Wash Cycle

Easy 2-5 minutes
  1. Power on the washer and review the wash program selection.
  2. Ensure a cycle that supports internal water heating is selected.
  3. Set temperature to warm or hot explicitly and re-run a wash to check if water heats.

Test Heating Element Continuity

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: Multimeter, Screwdriver set
  1. Unplug washer from power.
  2. Access the heater element behind the washer drum per model service manual.
  3. Disconnect heater wiring and use a multimeter to check continuity; a reading of open circuit indicates failure.
  4. If open, replace the heating element assembly with an OEM part.
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before opening machine.

Professional Repairs

Replace Faulty Heating Element

Estimated Cost: $80 - $250

Inspect and Repair Control Board or Thermistor

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Heating element tests show failure but user is not comfortable replacing it
Control board or sensor failure suspected
Error codes displayed related to heating subsystem

Preventive Maintenance

  • Run periodic maintenance wash: Mineral buildup on heating element and sensor errors
    Frequency: monthly
  • Check cycle settings regularly: Misuse of incorrect temperature settings
    Frequency: Before each wash

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine not heating?
The most common cause is a faulty internal heating element. A control board failure is less frequent.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine not heating myself?
Select the correct hot/warm wash cycle and test the heating element's continuity with a multimeter.
How much does it cost to fix not heating?
Replacing the heating element costs $80 - $250, while control board repairs range from $150 - $400.
When should I call a technician for not heating?
If DIY solutions do not resolve the issue or if you're uncomfortable with electrical components, call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Thermistor failure (2 mentions)
  • Fill valve malfunction (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. LG WT1201CW washing machine water temperature is not correct...
  2. LG Washer WM3400CW - Questions about water temperature

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