On the covered LG dryer platform, PF means power was interrupted — LG's own wording. LG states this usually happens after a power outage. First, confirm whether household power was lost. Confirm whether household power was lost.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG dryer code PF”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Power was interrupted (PF)
What separates it PF shows after a power outage
How to confirm Confirm whether household power was lost
- 2
A tripped breaker
What separates it The dryer lost power
How to confirm Reset the breaker
- 3
An unplugged cord
What separates it The dryer was moved
How to confirm Plug it back in
- 4
A surge
What separates it Lights flickered
How to confirm Restart
- 5
A circuit that drops out
What separates it PF returns often
How to confirm An electrician checks
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the outage or the flicker that preceded PF is one that you remember
- Whether the dryer also lost its settings or only paused the cycle
- Whether the breaker, a GFCI outlet or the cord looks disturbed
- The model number from the label inside the door opening
Try in this order
0 of 12 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleConfirm whether household power was lost.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleUnplug the dryer or trip its breaker, hold START/PAUSE for 5 seconds while it has no power, then restore power and run a cycle — LG's own reset for this code.
Cut the power
ReversibleUnplug the dryer or trip the breaker supplying it off.
Hold Start/Pause
ReversibleWhile the dryer is without power, press and hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds; LG calls this a factory reset.
Restore power and run a cycle
ReversibleRestore power and try a cycle; if PF persists, the unit may require repair.
Confirm whether household power was lost
ReversibleLG states that PF usually happens after a power outage, so think about whether the lights flickered, a breaker tripped or someone unplugged the dryer.
Cut power to the dryer
ReversibleUnplug the dryer or trip its breaker, so that the control has no power at all.
Hold START/PAUSE for 5 seconds
ReversibleLG's own reset for this code is to hold START/PAUSE for 5 seconds while the dryer has no power, and then restore power.
Restore power
ReversiblePlug the dryer in or switch the breaker back on, and check that the display returns to normal.
Run a cycle
ReversibleStart a timed dry. If the cycle runs normally and PF stays away, the dryer is fine.
Call an electrician if PF keeps returning
ReversibleIf PF returns without any outage, the circuit, the outlet or the breaker may be dropping out.
Reset it LG's way
ReversibleDisconnect the dryer, hold START/PAUSE for five seconds, then restore power and start a short cycle. Doing it in that order matters, because holding the button with power on does nothing.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- PF, a power interruption.
- Parts involved
- The household supply.
- LG's guidance
- Hold START/PAUSE for 5 seconds with the power off, then restore power and run a cycle.
- Why a dryer shows PF
- A dryer is a large load on a 240-volt circuit. When power drops, even for a moment, the control loses track of the cycle, and PF is how it says that it stopped. It does not mean that anything inside the dryer has failed.
- Protecting a dryer from outages
- If your area has frequent outages or flickers, a whole-house surge protector helps, and so does leaving the dryer unplugged during a storm. Neither is needed for a single PF after a known outage.
- The LG reset sequence
- LG's own reset for this code is not the same as a plain restart. With the dryer unplugged or its breaker off, you hold START/PAUSE for five seconds so that the control discharges, then restore power. It sounds fussy, but the control holds a charge that can keep a stale message alive, and the hold clears it.
- PF on a connected LG dryer
- On an LG dryer connected to the ThinQ app, a PF can also reach your phone as a notice that the cycle was interrupted. If you receive it and are not at home, you can ignore it until you return, and the dryer is not harmed.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the dryer before you check the cord
- !Request service if PF persists, with the full model number and exact code ready
- !LG treats PF as a notice, so only repeated PF with no outage is worth an electrician's visit
- !A dryer that loses power each time a second appliance starts shares its circuit and needs a dedicated one
- !If the display stays dead after power returns, ask LG for service with the model number
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. LG's list is the only source for PF.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does PF mean on a LG dryer?+
power was interrupted — LG's own wording. LG states this usually happens after a power outage.
Is anything broken?+
Not after a real outage.
Is PF a fault?+
No, it tells you that the cycle was interrupted, and the dryer is working normally.
Will my clothes be damp?+
Yes, the cycle stopped partway, so run it again.
Why does PF keep returning?+
A weak circuit, a loose plug or a failing breaker can drop the power repeatedly.
Does PF damage the dryer?+
No, it is a notice that the cycle was interrupted, and the dryer is not damaged.
Should I unplug the dryer in a storm?+
It does no harm and protects against a surge, though a surge protector is easier.
Why hold the button with the power off?+
It drains the control's stored charge so that it restarts cleanly, which is LG's own step for this code.
Will the ThinQ app tell me about PF?+
It can send a notice that the cycle was interrupted, which you can ignore until you are home.