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Why FF or u51 appears
FF stands for Freeze Failure; on certain displays the same fault reads u51. LG documents it for front-load washers, WashTower units and top-load washers alike. The trigger is an internal temperature that sinks beneath 1 degree Celsius. After a stretch of cold, ice can form in the inlet or drain hoses. Every control then stays locked out and no cycle can begin until the machine climbs past 4 degrees Celsius, so the ice must be melted first.
- Cold weather and the code on screen: thaw the washer.
- Mild weather and the code on screen: request service.
- Washer left standing through the cold: it melts bit by bit once the air stays over zero, and LG says to let the cold pass before using it.
Thawing the drum and the drain pump
- Empty the drum of laundry.
- Fill the drum with warm water between 50 and 60 °C. With the door shut, leave it 1 to 2 hours; this gives the drain pump time to thaw.
- Lift off the cover on the lower side, pull the drain tube’s cap, drain whatever is inside, and press the cap firmly back. Nothing coming out suggests ice remains, so allow more time before another attempt.
- Turn the washer on and use a Rinse x1 cycle as the check for normal running.
Boiling water must stay out of the drum. It is a burn risk, which is why only warm water is used.
Thawing the inlet side when IE shows
A display of IE together with an empty drum can mean the supply hoses are frozen as well. Take them off the washer and turn on the taps to find out whether water comes through. If it does not, hold a hot, wet cloth against the taps for 5 minutes and soak the hoses in warm water kept under 50 °C. Then run the washer again to test.
Related codes
- IE: the tub does not fill in time
- FE: extra water has entered the drum
- LE: the drum does not rotate
- HE: a temporary heater error
Washer service in San Francisco
An FF that appears in mild weather is a reason to call (415) 223-7887 and ask our San Francisco team about LG washer repair around the Bay Area. Have the code, the model number and the thawing steps you did on hand.
Model compatibility: LG reuses codes across series and model years, so FF / u51 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
