Water on the floor around an LG WM4500HBA comes from a short list in LG's manual: hoses not connected correctly, a house drain pipe that is clogged and backs up, a drain hose that has come out of the connector, and oversudsing. The washer can also report FE, an overflow error caused by a faulty water valve, in which case close the faucets, unplug the washer and call service. Find which of these it is before you run another load.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG front-load or top-load washer is leaking water”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Hoses or connectors that are loose, cracked or split
What separates it Water drips at the back near the faucets while the washer fills
How to confirm Check each hose and coupling for a crack, split or loose connection and tighten by hand
- 2
A drain hose that has come out of the connector or is not inserted far enough
What separates it Water appears near the wall during the drain phase of a cycle
How to confirm Look at the hose end; LG says to tie it to the inlet hose or standpipe so it cannot come out
- 3
A clogged house drain pipe
What separates it Water backs up out of the drain pipe as the washer pumps out
How to confirm Watch the drain pipe during a drain; the washer pumps out very rapidly
- 4
Oversudsing
What separates it Suds and water at the door or the dispenser drawer
How to confirm Use HE detergent only, in a quarter to a half of the maker's maximum amount
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the water is: the door, the dispenser, the back near the faucets or the floor near the wall
- Whether FE or another code is on the display
- How the drain hose is fitted and how much detergent was used
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedClose the faucets and unplug
ReversibleTurn off both water faucets and unplug the washer, then dry the floor so you can see where new water appears.
Check the hoses and couplings
ReversibleCheck the inlet hoses and connectors for leaks, cracks and splits and tighten the connections. Replace any hose that is cracked.
Check the drain hose fit
ReversibleFor smaller drain pipes, insert the hose as far as the drain hose flange; for larger drain pipes, 1 to 2 inches past the flange. Tie the hose to the inlet hose or standpipe so it cannot pull out during a drain.
Check the drain pump filter
ReversibleMake sure the drain pump filter cover is closed and the filter is assembled correctly; LG says an incorrectly assembled filter may cause leaks.
Cut the detergent
ReversibleUse HE detergent only. LG says the normal amount is a quarter to a half of the maximum the maker recommends, and less for small or lightly soiled loads or very soft water.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Leak points to check
- Inlet hose couplings at the back, the drain hose end and its clip, the drain pump filter cover and plug, and the door seal.
- Tools and supplies
- Towels, a bucket, a flashlight and dry paper towels to trace a slow leak.
- Parts for this problem on the WM4500HBA (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- clamp, part number ACA56078801, at $22.94; clamp, part number 4861FR3068A, at $13.82; pump assembly,drain, part number AHA75853813, at $69.18; 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
- !If FE shows, close the faucets, unplug the washer and call service; do not run another cycle
- !If water backs up out of the household drain pipe, stop the washer and call a plumber
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
What does FE mean on an LG WM4500HBA?+
An overflow error: the water level is too high because of a faulty water valve. Close the faucets, unplug the washer and call for service.
How far into the drain pipe should the hose go?+
As far as the drain hose flange in a smaller pipe, or 1 to 2 inches past the flange in a larger one.
Why does water come out of the house drain pipe?+
The house drain pipe may be clogged; the washer pumps out very rapidly, so a blocked pipe backs up.
Can the filter cause a leak?+
An incorrectly assembled drain pump filter may cause leaks, and using the washer without the filter can too.
Do I need special hoses?+
No. LG does not recommend leak-limiting hoses because they can trip falsely and prevent filling.
How do I check for a slow leak?+
Close the faucets, dry everything and hold a dry paper towel at each connection while water runs through one faucet at a time.
Is the door seal a leak point?+
It can be if small items are trapped; check under the door seal when unloading, as the manual advises for odors.