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The drain pump filter on an LG washing machine is one of the most important — and most neglected — maintenance items in the machine. It catches lint, coins, hair, threads and other debris before they reach the drain pump. When it clogs, you get OE drain errors, slow cycles and bad smells. Cleaning it takes about 10 minutes. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Where is the filter on an LG washing machine?
On LG front-loaders, the drain pump filter sits behind a small access flap at the very bottom front of the machine — usually on the lower right or lower centre. It’s typically held by a tab or clip. On LG top-loaders, the lint filter is usually inside the drum — a mesh trap on the agitator or inside the drum wall. This guide covers both.
How to clean LG front-load washing machine filter
- Prepare for water spillage — place a large shallow tray and old towels on the floor directly in front of the access flap. Even after a spin cycle, there’s usually 1–2 litres of water held in the pump housing.
- Open the access flap — press the tab or clip and pull the flap open.
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap — turn counter-clockwise. Water will flow out immediately; close it if the tray fills, empty it, and continue. Don’t rush this step.
- Remove the filter fully once drained — pull it straight out.
- Clear all debris — remove lint, coins, hair ties, small garment labels, safety pins and anything else. These are what eventually cause drain pump failures if left.
- Check the pump impeller — look into the housing where the filter sat. You’ll see a small plastic fan (the impeller). Spin it with a finger to confirm it rotates freely. If hair or thread is wrapped around it, clear it.
- Rinse the filter under running water until clean. Use a toothbrush on the mesh if there’s mineral scale or hard buildup.
- Refit firmly — screw the filter cap back clockwise until snug. A loose filter cap will cause leaks.
- Close the flap and run a short spin cycle to confirm draining works correctly.
How to clean the lint filter on an LG top-loader
LG top-loaders use a lint trap rather than a pump filter. Locate it inside the drum — on most models it’s a mesh bag or screen attached to the drum wall or agitator. Unhook or unclip it, empty the lint into a bin (don’t wash it down the sink — it clogs drains), rinse the filter mesh under running water, and reattach. If your top-loader has a removable inner pulsator cover, lint also collects underneath it — lift it and clear the buildup below.
Also clean the inlet filter
While doing maintenance, it’s worth also cleaning the inlet mesh filter — the small screen inside the hose connector at the back of the machine (where the water hose screws in). Turn off the tap, unscrew the hose, and use a toothbrush to clean the mesh screen inside the connector. This prevents the IE fill error and should be done every 2–3 months in Indian cities. Our guide on the LG IE error explains this in detail.
How often should you clean it?
LG recommends cleaning the drain pump filter every 2 months. For households that wash towels, bedsheets and heavy items regularly — which shed more lint — monthly is better. The OE (drain error) showing on your machine is LG’s way of telling you the filter is overdue a clean. Don’t wait for the error; cleaning proactively prevents it.
Upgrade if your machine is struggling
If your LG washing machine has repeated drain errors despite a clean filter and clear hose, or if it’s over 8 years old and increasingly unreliable, it may be time to consider a replacement. Browse current LG and other washing machines on Amazon India or explore global options to compare models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the filter on an LG washing machine?
On front-loaders, behind the small access flap at the very bottom front of the machine. On top-loaders, inside the drum as a removable mesh lint trap on the drum wall or agitator.
How often should I clean my LG washing machine filter?
LG recommends every 2 months. Monthly is better for households that wash heavy items like towels and blankets regularly.
What happens if I don’t clean the LG washing machine filter?
The drain pump has to work harder against the blockage, eventually triggering OE errors and slowing drain times. Long-term, a consistently blocked filter causes the drain pump motor to burn out — an expensive repair that a 10-minute filter clean prevents.
The bottom line
Cleaning the LG washing machine filter takes 10 minutes and prevents OE drain errors, slow cycles and pump failures. Do it every 2 months: open the bottom flap, slowly unscrew the cap, clear the debris, check the impeller spins freely, refit firmly. Clean the inlet filter at the back at the same time. It’s the single most impactful maintenance task you can do on a front-loading washing machine.