On the covered LG top-load washer platform, IE means an inlet error — LG's own wording. LG's causes: a building water outage, a closed tap, a disconnected inlet hose, a pressed or kinked hose, or a hose frozen in cold weather. LG notes IE can also show if the drum does not fill to a certain level. First, check the taps and both inlet hoses connected to the washer.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG top-load washer code IE”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A water outage, a closed tap or a disconnected hose
What separates it The tub does not fill to the level and IE shows
How to confirm Confirm the inlet hoses are attached to the taps and the taps are open; turn them counterclockwise to open
- 2
A pressed or kinked inlet hose
What separates it The hose is bent behind the washer, which points to a pressed or kinked inlet hose
How to confirm LG says the washer can shift during the spin and kink the hose; straighten it
- 3
A frozen hose or tap
What separates it The code appears in cold weather, which points to a frozen hose or tap
How to confirm Wrap the taps with a hot cloth for five minutes and thaw disconnected hoses in warm water below 50 degrees C (122 degrees F)
- 4
A clogged inlet filter or valve screens
What separates it Water flows slowly into the washer, which points to a clogged inlet filter or valve screens
How to confirm Close the taps, remove the inlet filter with tweezers or your hands and brush off rust, sand and pebbles
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: IE
- Whether the taps give water when the hoses are disconnected
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck the taps and both inlet hoses connected to the washer.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleIn winter, check whether the water pipes or inlet hose have frozen before assuming a fault.
Check the taps and hoses
ReversibleLG says IE is displayed if the drum does not fill to a certain level. Confirm the hoses are securely attached and the taps are open.
Unbend the hose
ReversibleStraighten a kinked or pressed inlet hose; if kinking is severe, close the taps, disconnect the hoses and reconnect them.
Thaw if it is freezing
ReversibleDisconnect the hoses, open the taps to test flow, wrap a hot cloth around a frozen tap for five minutes and thaw the hoses in warm water below 50 degrees C.
Clean the inlet filter
ReversibleClose the taps, separate the hose end, remove the filter with tweezers or your hands and clean it with a small brush; the Sears table says to replace the water inlet valve assembly if the screens are clogged.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- IE.
- Parts named by the service table
- Water inlet valve assembly.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Close the taps and unplug the washer before you disconnect any hose
- !Contact an LG service center if the inlet valve seems to be malfunctioning after these checks
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 50 degree C limit for thawing is LG's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does IE mean on a LG top-load washer?+
an inlet error — LG's own wording. LG's causes: a building water outage, a closed tap, a disconnected inlet hose, a pressed or kinked hose, or a hose frozen in cold weather. LG notes IE can also show if the drum does not fill to a certain level.
How do I open a tap?+
Turn it counterclockwise.
How do I thaw a frozen hose?+
Warm water below 50 degrees C (122 degrees F), and a hot cloth on the tap for five minutes.
Which part is named?+
The water inlet valve assembly.
Is IE the same on a front-load washer?+
Similar, with different timing details; see the front-load page.