LG Washer IE Error Code (Water Inlet Error)
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Quick answer: LG says IE (Water Inlet Error) appears when water isn’t flowing into the washer properly and the tub doesn’t fill to the right level in the set time. Most often a tap isn’t fully open, a hose is kinked or frozen, or the inlet filter screens are clogged. Less often it’s the drain hose siphoning, the pressure switch, the water inlet valve or the control board.
On front-loaders LG says IE shows if there isn’t enough water in the tub after 8 minutes. Work through the steps in order — the free checks come first, parts last.
Test order: easiest & free first
- Open the water taps fullyFREE · 1 min
Turn the supply valves behind the washer counter-clockwise until fully open. LG notes a partly open tap makes the fill take longer than expected, which triggers IE. - Check the hoses are on the right inletsFREE · 1 min
LG: cold hose (blue) to the cold inlet, hot hose (orange or red) to the hot inlet. - Straighten kinks and thaw frozen linesFREE · 5 min
The washer can shift during spin and pinch a hose. If the tap or hose is frozen, LG suggests wrapping it in a warm towel (122–140 °F / 50–60 °C). Replace any damaged hose. - Rule out low water pressureFREE · 5 min
LG says pressure must be between 14.5 and 116 psi. With no gauge, PartSelect’s test: turn the taps off, unscrew the fill hoses at the washer, put them in a bucket and turn the taps on. Weak flow means a house supply problem (check another tap; LG suggests a plumber if pressure is too low). - Clean the inlet filter screensFREE · 10 min
Turn off the water and unplug the washer. Unscrew the fill hose (counter-clockwise), pull the filter out of the inlet with pliers, scrub off sediment with a toothbrush under running water, and reinstall it before reconnecting. PartSelect notes some fill hoses have their own filter too. - Check the drain hose isn’t siphoningFREE · 5 min
LG and PartSelect: if the drain hose is pushed more than 4 inches (10 cm) into the standpipe, water siphons out as the washer fills. On front-loaders, make sure the hose isn’t too low, its end isn’t sitting in water, and it’s snapped back into its holder. - Check the pressure switch and its hoseMULTIMETER
PartSelect says a loose or cracked pressure-switch hose can cause a false IE. Unplug the washer, remove the top panel (front-load) or rear panel (top-load), disconnect the switch and inspect its hose. With a multimeter on ohms, common to the closed terminal should read close to 0; blowing into the tube should give a click and no continuity. Use your manual to identify the terminals. - Water inlet valvePART
LG says that if supply, hoses and filters are fine and IE continues, the water supply valve (solenoid) may have failed — request repair or replace the valve. See part numbers below. - Last resort: control boardPART · $$$
PartSelect lists the control board as the last thing to check once everything else is ruled out. Live-voltage tests are dangerous — consider a technician.
⚠ Safety: Unplug the washer and shut off both water taps before removing hoses or panels. Keep a bucket and towels handy for water left in the hoses. Only do live-voltage tests if you’re trained — 120 V can kill.
Parts that can cause IE
| Part | LG # | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inlet valve assembly (cold, bleach, prewash) | 5221ER1003A (replaces 5220FR2075L) | LG & Kenmore front-load washers and washer-dryer combos, per PartSelect. Confirm fit for your model. | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Water inlet valve filter screens | PartSelect PS3618281 | Cited by PartSelect for model WM2233HW | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Pressure switch / hose | Look up by your model number | Check the hose for cracks first | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
LG uses different parts across models and revisions. Always look up by your model number or match the number printed on the old part.
💡 Find your model number: On LG front-loaders the label is usually inside the door frame or on the back; on top-loaders, under or behind the lid or on the back panel. It looks like
WM3400CW — include any suffix when searching parts.Watch it done
Video by LG USA Support on YouTube. FixCode Guide isn't affiliated with this channel.
Sources
- LG Support – Front load washer not filling and shows an IE error code
- LG Support – Top load washer: troubleshooting an IE error code
- LG Support – Why is there no water in my front load washer? (8-minute check, solenoid)
- LG Support – Washer error code list (14.5–116 psi)
- PartSelect – How to fix an LG washer IE code
- PartSelect – LG inlet valve assembly 5221ER1003A / 5220FR2075L