PF
LG Washing Machine
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
The PF error means your LG washer experienced a power failure during a wash cycle. The electricity was interrupted while the washer was running. This can happen from a power outage, a tripped circuit breaker, or a loose power plug. The washer stops and displays PF to let you know the cycle was interrupted. This is usually not a machine problem — it is a power supply problem.
Affected Models
- LG WM3900HWA
- LG WM4000HWA
- LG WT7300CW
- LG WM2250CW
- LG WM3700HWA
Common Causes
- Power outage or brownout in your home interrupted the electricity
- Circuit breaker tripped or fuse blew on the washer's electrical circuit
- Power cord is loose in the wall outlet and lost connection momentarily
- Wall outlet is faulty and has intermittent power loss
- Extension cord or power strip cannot handle the washer's electrical load
How to Fix It
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Press the Start/Pause button to resume the wash cycle from where it left off. Most LG washers will continue the cycle after a brief power interruption.
If the cycle does not resume, press Power to turn the washer off, then turn it back on and select a new cycle.
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Check your home's circuit breaker panel. Look for any tripped breakers. A tripped breaker will be in the middle position between On and Off. Flip it fully Off, then back to On.
If the breaker trips again when the washer starts, the electrical circuit may be overloaded or the washer has an electrical short.
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Make sure the washer's power cord is plugged directly into a wall outlet — not an extension cord or power strip. Washers draw a lot of power and need a dedicated outlet.
Extension cords and power strips can cause voltage drops that trigger the PF error.
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Check that the power plug fits snugly in the outlet. Wiggle it gently. If it feels loose, the outlet's internal contacts may be worn. Try a different outlet or have an electrician replace the outlet.
A loose plug can lose contact momentarily during the spin cycle vibration, causing PF.
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If PF keeps appearing with no power issues in your home, unplug the washer for 15 minutes and plug it back in to reset the control board. Persistent PF errors with stable power may indicate a failing control board.
If the control board is intermittently losing power detection, it will need professional diagnosis.
When to Call a Professional
PF errors rarely need a professional unless they keep happening with no obvious power issue. If PF appears repeatedly and your home power is stable, the control board or power cord may be faulty. A power cord replacement costs $30 to $60. An electrician can test the wall outlet for $50 to $100. A control board replacement costs $200 to $400 for parts plus labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PF a serious error?
No, PF is one of the least serious LG washer errors. It simply means the power was interrupted during a cycle. The washer itself is fine — it just lost electricity. Once power is restored, you can resume or restart the cycle.
Will my clothes be okay after a PF error?
Your clothes will be fine. They are just sitting in water inside the drum. Resume the cycle by pressing Start/Pause, or restart a new cycle. If the clothes sat in water for a very long time during an extended outage, you may want to restart the full cycle.
Why does PF keep happening even though my power seems fine?
Brief power dips that you do not notice can trigger PF. A loose wall outlet that loses contact during spin cycle vibration is a common cause. Another common cause is sharing the circuit with other high-draw appliances. Make sure the washer is on its own dedicated electrical circuit.