Warning: Disconnect power before servicing.

How to Reset an LG Washer (Every Method, Every Model)

Quick Answer

Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds until the washer turns off.

To reset an LG washer: press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds to turn it off, then unplug from the wall for 60 seconds, plug back in and power on. That handles 80% of reset situations. If the error persists, this guide covers the button-combo reset, circuit breaker method, diagnostic mode factory reset, and the ThinQ app remote reset for smart models.

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How to Reset Your Lg Washer

LG washers store error states in the main control board's volatile memory. Most temporary faults clear when power is removed and the capacitors discharge fully. A 60-second unplug drains the board's stored state, forcing it to reinitialize all sensors on the next power-on. Deeper issues that survive a reset require actual component repair, not more resetting.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Error code appeared and will not clear40%
Washer unresponsive to button presses24%
Settings need to be restored to defaults22%
Cycle stuck and will not advance14%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • Error code displayed that will not clear
  • Buttons not responding
  • Washer stuck mid-cycle
  • Display frozen or showing incorrect information

Tools Required for Diagnosis

None required

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

1

Soft reset (works on all LG washers)

Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds until the washer turns off. Wait 10 seconds. Press Power to turn it back on. Start a new cycle. This clears temporary faults stored in RAM without cutting wall power.

2

Hard reset - unplug for 60 seconds

3

Circuit breaker reset

4

Button combo reset (front-load WM series)

5

Factory reset via diagnostic mode (advanced)

6

ThinQ app reset (Wi-Fi models only)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my LG washer without unplugging it?
Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds to do a soft reset. On most WM series models, holding Spin Speed and Soil Level together for 3 seconds with the unit off also performs a control board reset without unplugging. The circuit breaker method is another option if the outlet is inaccessible.
Does resetting an LG washer erase saved settings?
A soft reset and a standard unplug reset do not erase custom settings. A factory reset through diagnostic mode will clear all saved preferences, custom cycles, and error history. Only use the factory reset if directed to by LG support or if other resets have failed.
How long should I leave my LG washer unplugged to reset?
60 seconds minimum. The main control board has capacitors that hold a charge and keep volatile memory alive for about 30 seconds after power is cut. Less than 60 seconds may not fully clear the error state. Longer is fine but not necessary.
Can the ThinQ app reset my washer remotely?
Yes, for Wi-Fi enabled LG washers. The ThinQ app can send a soft reset command remotely. It cannot perform a factory reset remotely. You still need physical access for a full hard reset or circuit breaker reset.
What if my LG washer will not reset?
If an error code returns immediately after every reset method, the underlying hardware fault is still present. Resetting only clears error memory - it does not fix the part. Identify the specific error code and follow its diagnostic guide to address the root cause.

Related Lg Washer Error Codes

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Lg shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Models Known to Experience RESET Errors

This repair applies to most Lg washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WM3700HWA, WM4000HWA, WM5000HVA, WM8100HVA, WM3900HBA, WM6998HBA, WT7300CW, WT7800CW, WM3470HWA, WT7410CW, WM1333HW, WM2455HG

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 13, 2026