LG Washer PF Error Code – Meaning, Causes & Fix
The "PF" error code on an LG washing machine stands for "Power Failure" and indicates that the washer lost electrical power at some point during an active wash cycle, whether from a brief household power blip, a tripped breaker, or the unit being accidentally unplugged. This code is primarily informational, alerting the user that a cycle was interrupted, rather than indicating an internal electrical fault within the washer itself in most cases. This guide explains what triggers the PF code, how to distinguish a simple power interruption from a genuine electrical issue, and how to resolve it. For related LG washer codes, see our LG Washer CL Code guide.
What it means
The washer detected a loss of electrical power during a cycle, most commonly from a household power interruption, tripped breaker, or the unit being unplugged, rather than an internal component failure.
Severity
LowCan you fix it yourself?
Yes — in the vast majority of cases, simply restarting the cycle resolves the PF code entirely.
Call a technician when
Contact LG support or an electrician if PF recurs repeatedly without any corresponding household power interruption, as this may indicate a loose power cord connection or a home electrical circuit issue.
What Does PF Mean?
LG washers monitor continuous power supply throughout a wash cycle, since an interrupted cycle can leave water in the drum, laundry unspun, or the door locked in an intermediate state. When power is restored after any interruption, the washer displays PF to inform the user their cycle was stopped partway through and did not complete normally.
Common causes behind this code include:
1. Brief household power outage: A momentary neighborhood-wide or home-specific power blip is the most frequent cause. 2. Tripped circuit breaker: If the washer shares a circuit with other high-draw appliances, an overloaded circuit can trip the breaker mid-cycle. 3. Washer accidentally unplugged: Especially if the power cord is in a high-traffic area or was disturbed during cleaning around the unit. 4. Loose power cord connection: A partially seated plug at the wall outlet can cause intermittent power loss even without a full outage. 5. Faulty wall outlet: An outlet with a loose or failing internal connection can cause repeated power drops specifically at that outlet.
Unlike the LG Washer CL Code, which reflects an intentional safety feature, PF reflects an actual interruption event, though in most cases it's a simple household electrical issue rather than a washer malfunction.
What Causes This Error?
- Brief household power outage or neighborhood-wide power blip
- Tripped circuit breaker, especially if the washer shares a circuit with other high-draw appliances
- Washer accidentally unplugged from the wall outlet
- Loose or partially seated power cord connection at the wall outlet
- Faulty or worn wall outlet causing intermittent power loss
- Extension cord or power strip used instead of a direct wall connection, causing an unstable power supply
- Storm-related power fluctuations or surges affecting home electrical service
How to Fix PF
- 1
Check whether other devices in the home lost power at the same time. If other clocks, appliances, or lights needed resetting, this confirms a genuine household power outage was the cause, and no washer-specific troubleshooting is needed beyond restarting the cycle.
- 2
Check the circuit breaker for the washer's outlet. Locate your home's electrical panel and verify the breaker controlling the washer's outlet hasn't tripped. If it has, reset it, and consider whether other appliances sharing that circuit may be causing an overload.
- 3
Verify the power cord is fully and securely plugged in. Check both the connection at the wall outlet and ensure the cord itself isn't damaged or frayed, which could cause an intermittent connection even when it appears plugged in.
- 4
Clear the remaining laundry and water manually if needed. If the interrupted cycle left water in the drum, you may need to manually drain it (using the drain/spin cycle) before restarting a fresh wash cycle, as the interrupted cycle typically cannot simply resume from where it stopped.
- 5
Restart the wash cycle from the beginning. Press the power button, select your desired cycle, and start the washer again. In the vast majority of cases, this fully resolves the PF code with no further action needed.
- 6
Test with a different outlet if PF recurs frequently without any actual outage. If the PF code reappears repeatedly and you've confirmed no corresponding household power interruption, try plugging the washer into a different outlet on a different circuit to isolate whether the issue is outlet-specific, and contact an electrician if the problem follows the original outlet.
When to Call a Professional
In the large majority of cases, PF is resolved simply by restarting the cycle and requires no professional service. If PF recurs frequently with no corresponding actual power outage in the home, and testing a different outlet doesn't resolve it, contact a licensed electrician to inspect the specific circuit and outlet, as a wiring issue rather than the washer itself may be the root cause.
Can You Still Use the Device?
An LG washer displaying the PF code is fully functional once power is restored — you'll simply need to restart the interrupted cycle from the beginning, as it cannot resume partway through. There's no lasting effect on the washer's operation or performance from a power interruption event itself.
Official Resources
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional repair advice. CodeExplain is not affiliated with LG or any other brand mentioned. Always consult a qualified technician for complex repairs.