LG Washer won't fill with water
Quick answer: A washer that sits silent or hums but never fills, or fills painfully slowly, almost always has a water supply problem.
- Turn off both supply valves before disconnecting fill hoses; they are under full pressure.
- Unplug the washer before testing the inlet valve or its wiring.
- Have a bucket ready when removing hoses, since they hold water even with the valves closed.
Why won't my washer fill with water?
A washer that sits silent or hums but never fills, or fills painfully slowly, almost always has a water supply problem. The usual causes are closed supply valves or kinked fill hoses, clogged inlet screens on the water inlet valve, a failed inlet valve solenoid, or a lid switch, door lock, or pressure switch that is telling the control not to fill. Low household water pressure and a failed control board are less common.
Our fitment data covers 331 LG washer models and 1,173 LG washer parts, so the part links below are filtered to this brand; always confirm your model number before ordering.
Most Likely Causes, in Order
1. Supply valves closed or fill hoses kinked
The shutoff valves behind the washer get bumped closed, and the fill hoses get pinched when the washer is pushed back against the wall. Either one starves the washer of water.
How to check: Confirm both valves are fully open. Pull the washer out and look for kinks in the hoses. Disconnect a hose at the washer end, point it into a bucket, and open the valve briefly to confirm strong flow from both hot and cold.
Fix: Open the valves fully, straighten or replace kinked hoses, and leave enough space behind the washer. (Difficulty: Easy)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
2. Clogged inlet screens on the water inlet valve
Small mesh screens inside the valve ports catch rust and sediment from the pipes. Over years they clog, and the washer fills slowly or not at all, especially on one temperature.
How to check: Turn off the water, unscrew both fill hoses at the washer, and look into the valve ports for the screens. Rust-colored or gray deposits covering the mesh confirm the clog. Check the hose ends too, which sometimes have their own screens.
Fix: Carefully pry out the screens with needle-nose pliers, rinse and brush them clean, and reinstall. Replace the valve if a screen tears or cannot be cleaned. (Difficulty: Easy)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
3. Failed water inlet valve
The inlet valve has one solenoid per water temperature. A burned coil or a stuck plunger stops water from passing even with good supply, and it usually affects one temperature first.
How to check: Start a fill on hot and then on cold and note which works. Unplug the washer, remove the connectors from the valve solenoids, and measure each coil with a multimeter; a coil that reads open or very different from the other is bad. Listen for a click from the valve when the cycle starts.
Fix: Replace the water inlet valve assembly. Transfer the hoses and connectors one at a time to keep them in the right positions. (Difficulty: Moderate)
Matching LG parts:
- Washer Water Inlet Valve 5221ER1003A — $113.61 – $223.84 · 110 models
- LG Washer Water Inlet Valve 5221EA1008F — $135.01 – $149.08 · 76 models
- Kenmore Washer Water Inlet Valve 5220FR2008F — $97.24 – $139.48 · 51 models
4. Lid switch or door lock preventing fill
Many washers will not open the inlet valve until the lid or door is confirmed closed. A failed switch makes the washer look like it has a water problem when it is really an interlock problem.
How to check: Check for a blinking lid or door indicator. Press the lid switch by hand or listen for the door lock to click at cycle start. Test the switch for continuity.
Fix: Replace the lid switch or door lock assembly. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
5. Faulty water level pressure switch or sensor
If the pressure switch is stuck in the full position or its air hose is pinched, the control believes the tub is already full and never opens the valve.
How to check: Locate the pressure switch and its hose. Disconnect the hose at the switch and check it is clear and not kinked. Blow gently into the switch and listen for a click; then release and listen for it to click back.
Fix: Clear or replace the hose. Replace the pressure switch if it does not click or fails a continuity test. (Difficulty: Moderate)
Matching LG parts:
- Washer Water-Level Pressure Switch Hose 5210FA3427J — $61.27 – $63.11 · 83 models
- LG Washer Water-Level Pressure Switch Hose 5210FA3427C — $10.57 · 1 models
6. Timer or control board not powering the valve
If the valve and interlocks are good, the timer contacts or the board output that powers the valve may have failed.
How to check: Only pursue this after the previous checks pass. A technician can measure for voltage at the valve connector during the fill portion of the cycle. No voltage with a good valve and switches points to the control.
Fix: Replace the timer or main control board. (Difficulty: Advanced)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
Other LG parts the catalog tags for this symptom
- Washer Tub-to-Pump Hose 4738ER1002A — $43.91 – $69.95 (drain; leaking; won't drain; won't pump)
- LG Washer Dispenser Hose 4738ER1004B — $25.43 – $45.94 (clogged; cracked; leaking)
- Washer Tub-to-Pump Hose 5214FR4058Y — $11.81 – $18.86 (clogged; cracked; drain; leaking)
- Washer Outer Tub Gasket 4036ER4001B — $12.92 – $27.54 (leaking)
- LG Washer Rear Tub Gasket 4036ER2004A — $12.03 – $27.54 (leaking; spin; water under washer)
- Washer Pump Case 3108ER1001B — $22.12 – $40.19 (leaking; won't drain; won't pump)
Popular LG washer models
Confirm the model number on the rating plate before ordering. Each model page lists every compatible part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my washer fill very slowly?
Slow filling is almost always clogged inlet screens on the inlet valve or partially closed supply valves. Clean the screens and confirm the valves are fully open.
Why does my washer fill with cold water but not hot?
One solenoid of the inlet valve serves each temperature. If only one fails, check that supply valve and hose first, then test that solenoid coil and replace the valve.
The washer hums but no water comes in. What is that?
The hum is usually the inlet valve solenoid energized but unable to open because of debris or a weak coil. Clean the screens; if it still hums without flow, replace the valve.
When to Call a Professional
Call a technician if there is strong water flow at the hoses and the inlet valve, interlocks, and pressure switch all test good, or if you are not comfortable performing live voltage tests at the valve.