PF is a notification, not a malfunction. Your power flickered, the washer lost power mid-cycle, and now it is telling you about it. Press Start to resume the cycle from where it left off, or press Power then Start to restart fresh.
Honestly, PF isn't going to hurt your washer. It's basically the machine's way of saying 'hey, power cut out and I lost my place.' But here's what you don't want to ignore: if it keeps showing up and you haven't had any storms or outages, that's your washer telling you something's wrong with the circuit. I've seen this turn into a fried control board when homeowners kept dismissing it. Worth five minutes to check.
OK so here's the deal with PF. LG washers are actually pretty smart about this stuff. The control board saves where it is in a cycle, and when power cuts out, it flags a PF so you know what happened. Nine times out of ten you press Start and it just picks up where it left off. The whole thing takes 30 seconds to deal with. It's only a real problem if it keeps coming back.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Momentary utility power interruption (most common)40%
Shared circuit with high-draw appliances (dryer, HVAC) causing voltage sag24%
Loose power cord connection at outlet or washer inlet14%
Main control board power supply section failing12%
Faulty wall outlet with intermittent contact10%
Symptoms You May Notice
PF on the display when you walk in after a storm and the microwave clock is blinking. Classic outage situation, nothing to worry about.
Washer stopped dead mid-cycle with a drum full of wet clothes and PF showing. No storm, no obvious reason why.
The code keeps coming back every few weeks, always during wash or rinse, never at the same point in the cycle.
Lights in the laundry room dim slightly right before the washer stops. That's voltage sag happening in real time.
PF shows up right when the dryer kicks on in the next room.
Can you reset a Lg washer to clear the PF code?
PF doesn't need a special reset sequence. Press Start/Pause to resume the interrupted cycle, or press Power to turn the washer off, wait 10 seconds, then press Power again to clear it and start fresh. That's the whole process. If PF keeps showing up after you clear it, the reset isn't fixing the underlying cause and you need to figure out what's actually interrupting the power.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverMultimeter (AC voltage, 200V range)Plug-in outlet tester with voltage displayFlashlight (for inspecting cord and outlet in tight laundry spaces)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range110–125 VAC
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just press start to clear PF?
Yep, that's literally all you need to do. Hit Start/Pause and the washer picks up right where it stopped. If it drained during the outage you might see it re-fill a bit first, that's normal. Or if you want to start over, press Power off, wait ten seconds, Power back on, and start a new cycle. PF isn't a locked error state and it's not going to need a service tech to come clear it or any special button combination. One press and you're back in business.
Should I use a surge protector with my LG washer?
LG actually says don't. Extension cords and most surge protectors can't handle the current draw of a washer and they cause voltage drops that trigger PF. Kind of ironic, right? Your best bet is plugging directly into a properly grounded wall outlet with nothing in between. If you're worried about power surges, which is a totally legitimate concern, look into a whole-home surge protector that installs at your electrical panel. Those protect everything in the house without restricting current to individual appliances. Usually runs $100 to $300 installed.
Why does PF show up when the power seems fine?
Brief voltage dips below 90V AC can trigger PF without you ever noticing a flicker. The control board needs stable voltage to keep running, and if it drops for even a fraction of a second that's enough for the board to log a power failure. Usually this is a shared circuit. The dryer kicks on, the HVAC compressor starts, something pulls a ton of current and your outlet voltage sags for a second. To confirm it, grab a plug-in outlet tester with a voltage display, around 20 bucks, and watch the numbers during a wash cycle while other appliances are running.
How do I know if it's the control board causing PF and not my electrical?
Honestly, the control board is the last thing I'd suspect. It's pretty rare for the board's power supply section to fail in a way that mimics PF. Before you spend $200 or more on a control board, make sure you've ruled out everything else first. No shared circuits, cord looks perfect, outlet is solid, no extension cord anywhere. If you've done all that and PF still comes back with zero electrical explanation, then yeah, the board is probably it. I replaced one last month for exactly this situation. The homeowner had already had an electrician check everything and the wiring was completely fine.
Will PF damage my washer or my clothes?
Nope. PF is just a notification. The washer saved its progress and waited for power to come back. Your clothes are fine, the machine is fine. The only thing worth thinking about is if the cycle got interrupted during a hot water fill and your clothes have been sitting in warm water for a couple hours. In that case it's probably worth just starting the cycle over so everything gets a proper wash. But as far as damage to the washer itself, there's none. PF doesn't hurt anything.