LG SideKick Washer Won’t Start: Owner Checks

The SideKick is a small washer in the pedestal that sits under an LG front-load washer. It handles a second load, such as delicates or a small batch, while the main drum runs something else. When it will not start, the light may be off, the lid may refuse to latch, or the display may show a code. Because the two machines are installed together, the first checks look both at the pedestal and at the washer above it.

What the SideKick relies on

It needs power, a closed lid with the lock engaged, a water supply, and a proper physical and electrical connection to the washer above. Without those, the control may refuse to run a cycle. The LG washer code E7 page describes a stacking switch fault or a SideKick that is not installed correctly under the front-load washer, which is a reminder that installation matters as much as the parts.

Why it might not start

• No power. A tripped breaker, an unplugged cord, or a power strip that has been switched off.
• The lid is not fully closed. A garment or detergent cap can sit on the edge.
• A door or lid lock fault. See the LG washer code dL page for a latch or lock not working.
• The pedestal was moved. A shifted washer above it may disturb the connection.
• The water supply is off. The washer may wait for water before starting.
• A control lock or delay setting. A child lock, or a delayed start left on, looks like a refusal.
• A control board fault. A technician item, once the simple causes are ruled out.

Checks to do in order

1. Look at the display. Is anything lit? If it is dark, check the cord, the outlet, and the breaker for the laundry area.
2. Press the power button once and wait a few seconds; some panels take a moment to wake.
3. Close the lid firmly and listen for a click. Remove anything from the edge of the opening.
4. Check whether a control lock or a delayed-start setting is active and turn it off.
5. Open the water valves to the pedestal and the washer above. Turn them fully on.
6. Write down any code exactly, and note whether the main washer above also behaves normally.

One controlled power reset is fine: switch both washers off at the breaker or unplug them, wait a few minutes and restore power.

What not to do

Do not tilt the washer above to look at the pedestal, and do not slide the stack out without help; it is heavy. Do not reach inside the base, bypass the lid switch or unscrew the connection plate. If you smell burning, switch the breaker off and leave it off.

Installation notes for stacks

In a flat or a shared laundry room, the stack sits on a platform or a tight alcove with the drain close behind. The two machines share space, and a hose pushed against the wall can kink. A floor that is not level can make the stack lean and affect the connection. For a main washer such as the LG WM3095C washer repair model, listed at 4.5 cu ft, or the LG WM3085C washer repair model, the label on the door frame or the rear helps us check whether a pedestal is a fit.

What the visit covers

A technician tests power, lid lock and switch behavior, inspects the connection between pedestal and washer, and checks inlet flow and the control. We agree a written estimate before any part is replaced, and nothing is repaired without your approval.

Using the pair safely while you wait

If the pedestal does not start but the main washer works, it is fine to keep using the main washer as long as it shows no code and does not leak. Avoid forcing the pedestal lid, because a broken latch makes a small fault larger. Keep clothes out of the pedestal drum, and if water has already entered it, leave the lid ajar so it can air out until it is looked at.

It is also worth thinking about when the problem started. If it began just after the washer above was cleaned, moved or leveled, the connection between the two may have shifted. If it began after a storm or power flicker, a control reset may be enough. If it began after a hot, humid spell in a closed laundry room, moisture could have affected a connection. Share these details when you book; each story points to a different place to look first.

Details that help the technician

• The model label of the main washer, usually on the door frame, and of the pedestal if visible.
• Whether the pedestal ever worked, and if so when it stopped.
• Whether the lid felt loose or stiff when you closed it.
• How much clear space there is around the stack for access.
• Whether other circuits in the laundry area have been tripping.

Water and drain basics for the pedestal

A small washer under a larger one has less room for hoses and less tolerance for kinks. Check that the supply hoses are not crushed behind the stack and that the drain hose has a smooth path to the standpipe. Dryer lint and dust gather at the base of a stack, and a damp spot on the floor under the pedestal suggests a hose or a fitting that deserves a look before running another load.

If the pedestal starts but stops partway, mention that to the technician as well. A cycle that stops after filling points to the drain; one that stops after a click points to the lock. These small clues often save a return trip.

Next step

If the checks do not bring the pedestal back, request a visit through our LG washer repair page. The LG washers guide lists the front-load and stacked options.

Frequently asked questions