Common Symptoms
- Washer stops during spin cycle
- Drum won’t spin or spins very slowly
- Excessive shaking or vibration
- Loud thumping or banging noises
- UE, uE, or Ub code on display
- Water doesn’t drain completely
- Clothes still soaking wet after cycle
Before You Start
Before attempting any repairs, confirm the following. Many issues can be resolved by completing one of these quick checks.
- Pause cycle and open washer door
- Check if clothes are bunched to one side
- Look for tangled sheets or blankets
- Verify washer isn’t overloaded (should be 2/3 full maximum)
- Check if washing a single heavy item
- Rock washer gently to check if it’s level
Safety Warnings
Always follow these safety precautions to prevent injury or damage.
- Ensure the appliance is unplugged before starting any repair.
- Always unplug washer before accessing internal components
- Suspension rods are under tension – release carefully
- Washer may be heavy to tilt or move – get assistance
- Do not run washer if drum tilts excessively (bearing damage risk)
Possible Causes
- Laundry bunched up on one side of drum (most common)
- Washing a single heavy item (blanket, rug, towel)
- Too much laundry (overloaded)
- Too little laundry (underloaded)
- Washer not level on floor
- Large items tangled together (sheets, blankets)
- Washing items unsuitable for machine (bathroom mats, rubber-backed rugs)
- Worn or damaged suspension rods
- Faulty shock absorbers
- Damaged drum bearings
- Washer on slippery floor surface
Basic Fix Steps
These steps cover the most common and beginner-friendly fixes. Stop if you’re unsure or if the problem persists.
- Press Pause to stop the cycle
- Open washer door and manually redistribute laundry evenly around drum
- If overloaded, remove some items (especially heavy ones like towels or jeans)
- If washing single heavy item, add 2-3 smaller items to balance the load
- Untangle any bunched-up sheets or large items
- For small loads, add more items or reduce spin speed to Low or No Spin
- Make sure drum is about 2/3 full for optimal balance
- Close door firmly and restart cycle
- Washer should attempt to rebalance and continue
Advanced Repair Steps
Warning: The steps below involve deeper disassembly or electrical components. Proceed only if you are comfortable with appliance repair. Stop immediately if anything seems unsafe.
- Check if washer is level using a bubble level on top of machine
- Place level front-to-back, then side-to-side
- If not level, locate the four leveling legs at bottom corners of washer
- Loosen lock nut on each leg with a wrench
- Turn leg clockwise to raise, counterclockwise to lower
- Adjust until bubble is centered in level
- Tighten lock nuts when level is achieved
- Ensure all four legs are firmly on the floor with no wobble
- Run an empty Rinse and Spin cycle to test – if UE appears, suspension issue exists
- For worn suspension rods, access internal components (consult manual or technician)
- Test shock absorbers by pushing down on drum – should return slowly and smoothly
If the issue persists after completing these steps, the appliance may have a failed control board or wiring issue. At this point, professional service is recommended.
Common Repair Mistakes
Avoiding these common mistakes can prevent further damage and save you time and money.
- Continuing to add more clothes when UE appears (makes it worse)
- Washing bathroom mats or rubber-backed rugs (causes severe imbalance)
- Not filling drum to at least 1/2 capacity (too light to balance)
- Overloading with heavy items like multiple towels or jeans
- Using wrong cycle (use Bedding cycle for comforters and blankets)
- Placing washer on carpet or uneven floor
- Not checking if floor is slippery (causing washer to walk)
- Assuming suspension is fine without actually checking
If you’re unsure about any step, stop and reassess before continuing.
When to Stop & Call a Professional
Some issues require professional attention to prevent damage or personal injury. Pay attention to the following warning signs:
- If UE persists with empty drum during Rinse and Spin test
- If washer makes grinding or metal-on-metal sounds
- If drum doesn’t return smoothly when pushed down (shock absorber failure)
- If you see visible damage to suspension rods
- If drum tilts noticeably to one side when empty
- If you’re uncomfortable accessing internal components
Always prioritize safety. If in doubt, contact a qualified technician.
Likely Bad Parts
These parts are commonly associated with the error. Inspect them carefully before replacing.
- Suspension rods (Part #: 4581EA2006E (suspension rod))
- Shock absorbers (Part #: 4581ER1005A (shock absorber))
- Drum bearings (Part #: 4036ER2004A (drum bearing))
- Rotor position sensor
- Control board (rare)
Confirm part compatibility with your model before purchasing or installing.
Where to Look: Component Locations
- 1 Suspension / shock absorbers (Suspension rods, Shock absorbers)
- 2 Drum bearings
- 3 Drive motor (Rotor position sensor)
- 4 Control board (Control board (rare))
Community & Expert Fixes
While official LG support recommends re-leveling the washer and redistributing off-balance laundry, a successful community fix involves clearing out clogged debris from the drain hose and pressure switch assembly.
- According to community findings, a UE error occurring at the end of the spin cycle can be resolved by cleaning the bottom-front filter, tipping the washer on its left side, detaching the drain hose from the pressure switch hose with pliers, and cleaning out the accumulated guck in both the drain hose and the white cylinder leading to the pressure hose. In extreme circumstances, users may need to replace the entire drain/pressure hose assembly. Official LG support guides focus on troubleshooting unbalanced laundry (e.g., items piled on one side of the drum) and suggest re-leveling the washing machine if the error occurs frequently. Low confidence