If water keeps entering an LG WM4500HBA when no cycle is running, LG's manual points at the water valve: FE is the overflow error, where the water level is too high because of a faulty water valve. The instruction is to close the water faucets, unplug the washer and call for service. LG also warns that running the washer without its inlet filters could cause a valve to open continuously and flood the room, so never take the filters out.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG front-load or top-load washer fills with water while turned off”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A faulty water valve
What separates it FE shows and the water level is too high
How to confirm Close the faucets and see whether the water stops; LG says a faulty valve causes FE
- 2
Inlet filters that were removed or fitted wrongly
What separates it Water enters the drum with the washer off after the filters were cleaned
How to confirm Check that the filters are pressed back into both valves
- 3
Faucets left open
What separates it Water pressure sits on the valves all day and night
How to confirm Close both faucets when you finish washing, then watch whether water still enters
- 4
A pressure sensor that misreads the level
What separates it PE shows on the display and the level looks wrong
How to confirm Close the faucets, unplug the washer and call service, as LG says for PE
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether FE or PE is on the display and whether water is still entering
- Which faucet, hot or cold, feeds the water when you open one at a time
- Whether the inlet filters were removed recently
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedClose the faucets and unplug
ReversibleTurn off both faucets first. LG's instruction for FE is to close the water faucets, unplug the washer and call for service.
Find which valve leaks
ReversibleWith the washer unplugged, open the hot faucet only and see whether water enters the drum, then close it and repeat with the cold faucet.
Check the inlet filters
ReversibleTurn off the water and unscrew the hoses; make sure a filter is pressed into each valve. LG warns a valve could open continuously without them.
Drain the drum if it is full
ReversibleOpen the drain pump filter cover and use the small drain hose to run the water out into a bucket.
Call service
ReversibleA faulty valve is a repair for LG service; leave the faucets closed until it is done.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Water valve messages
- FE overflow (faulty valve) and PE pressure sensor. Both say: close the faucets, unplug the washer and call for service.
- Tools and supplies
- A bucket, towels, pliers for the inlet filters and a flashlight.
- Parts for this problem on the WM4500HBA (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- water valve, part number 5220FR2006Z, at $65.73.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WM6500HBA, WM5500HWA, WM4200HWA, WM4000HWA, WM3600HWA, WM3400CW, WM8900HBA, WM9500HKA, WM6998HBA, WKEX200HBA, WKEX300HBA, WT8405CW, WT7900HBA, WT7400CW, WT7300CW, WT7150CW, WT6105CW, WD300CV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !FE is a stop condition: close the faucets, unplug the washer and call LG service
- !If water reaches the door line or the floor, stop the supply and drain the drum through the drain pump filter hose
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
LG USA support page listing this model's manuals and warranty.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I run the washer without the inlet filters?+
No. LG says a valve could open continuously, resulting in flooding and property damage.
Should I keep the faucets closed?+
Close them when you are not washing to limit the damage from a valve fault.
How do I drain the drum?+
Open the drain pump filter cover and use the small drain hose into a bucket.
Can hard water cause this?+
It clogs the filters; clean them, but a valve that leaks through is a service item.
Is a valve covered by the warranty?+
LG's limited warranty terms in the manual apply; check your purchase date.
Should I unplug the washer?+
Yes, as the FE instruction says.