Washer Won't Fill (or Fills Slowly)? Causes & Fixes

Verification: Checked against Samsung US Support’s washing-machine error-code guide (TSG10000997) and the LG US Help Library front-load washer error-code list (CT10000010) on 2026-09-21. Samsung’s 4E/4C/nF (not-filling family) and LG’s IE/E02/E10 (water inlet error) are confirmed, along with LG’s FE/E04/E12 and Samsung’s OE (overflow) and LG’s dE/dE1/E01 (door).

If your washer won’t fill or fills slowly, start with the water supply. Both manufacturers point to the water valves and the supply hoses: turn the valves fully open, and make sure the hoses are on the correct inlets and are not bent or kinked. If those are fine, work through the checks below — a frozen hose or faucet in cold weather, debris in the inlet screens, and a reset — before assuming the washer needs service.

Safety: turn off the water supply valves before disconnecting a hose, and make sure they are fully open again after reconnecting — Samsung’s step for its inlet-filter check. This guide is informational only.

What to Check First

1. Are the water valves fully open? Samsung’s instruction is to open both valves completely and leave them open as the washer runs. If a valve is closed, LG’s step is to turn the faucet anti-clockwise to open it.
2. Are the supply hoses on the correct inlets? Samsung says to connect the hot hose to the hot inlet and the cold hose to the cold inlet, and notes that if you do not connect the hot water line you can still get an error when a cycle calls for hot water, even on a setting labeled Cold.
3. Is either hose bent or kinked? LG ties the water-inlet error to a supply hose that is pressed or bent, and notes that the movement of a wash or spin can cause the hose to become bent.
4. Is the hose or faucet frozen? LG notes that in cold weather the water supply hose can freeze so that water cannot get into the tub.
5. Is the drain hose seated properly? Samsung’s not-filling checks include the drain hose: it should be inserted properly and not kinked — no less than 6 inches and no more than 8 inches into the drain pipe. That depth is Samsung’s specification for its washers; check your own model’s manual for the figure that applies to it.

If the washer shows an error code, read it first.

Error Codes That Mean “Not Filling”

If your washer has a display, it names the problem. The codes below are the ones documented on the two manufacturer pages cited at the end of this guide — LG’s front-load washer error-code list and Samsung’s washing-machine troubleshooting guide. Coverage of models and years is not stated on those pages, and other brands or models may use different codes, so confirm against your own model’s documentation.

• LG — IE (also shown as E02 or E10): LG’s water-inlet error. LG states it occurs when the tub does not fill to an adequate level within a specified period, and lists these causes: water is cut off, the faucet is turned off, or the supply hose is not connected; the supply hose is pressed or bent; or the hose is frozen because of cold weather. LG adds that if its checks do not solve the issue there may be a malfunction in the water supply valve. Look it up: LG washer code IE.
• Samsung — 4E (with 4C and nF): Samsung’s not-filling error, for when water is not entering the washer correctly. Samsung’s checks are the supply hoses on the correct inlets and not bent or kinked, the water valves fully open, the drain hose seated properly, and the inlet filters cleared of debris. Look it up: Samsung washer code 4E.

Two related codes are worth knowing. An overflow — LG FE/E04/E12 or Samsung OE — means there is too much water in the tub. LG dE/dE1/E01 means the door is not closed properly.

Full breakdowns: LG washer error codes and Samsung washer error codes.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Turn off the water supply valves before disconnecting any hose.

1. Open the water valves fully

Confirm both water valves are fully open. Samsung’s step is to open them completely and leave them open while the washer runs, then try a cycle.

2. Check the supply hoses

Confirm the hot and cold hoses sit on the correct inlets (hot to hot, cold to cold) and are not bent or kinked. Unfold or straighten a hose that is pressed or bent (LG’s step), and re-check it after the washer has run, since movement during a wash or spin can cause the supply hose to become bent.

3. Check for a frozen hose or faucet

If the washer won’t fill in freezing weather, LG’s method starts at the faucet. Disconnect the supply hose from the washer and open the faucet to see whether water comes out. If none does, wrap a towel soaked in hot water around the faucet for five minutes to thaw it. Thaw the disconnected hose with warm water of 50°C or lower, and reconnect it only when it is completely free of ice.

4. Clean the inlet screens

Both manufacturers point to debris in the inlet filters:

1. Turn off the supply valves.
2. Disconnect the hoses from the back of the washer. Samsung’s step is to look inside the washer’s connections.
3. With the supply valves off, pull the small mesh filters out — LG says to use your fingers or pincers — and remove any foreign objects such as rust, sand, or stones.
4. Clean the filters, reassemble them, reattach the hoses, and open the valves fully again.

Samsung notes that dirt or debris in the water supply is filtered before it enters the washer, and that enough build-up can block water from entering.

5. Reset the washer

Samsung documents a reset for its not-filling error: unplug the washer or flip its circuit breaker for one minute, then restore power and try a cycle.

6. If it still won’t fill, contact service

If the checks above do not restore fill, Samsung says to request service if the code continues, and LG notes a possible malfunction in the water supply valve.

When to Call a Technician

Contact service when:

• You have confirmed the valves are open, the hoses are on the correct inlets and are not bent, kinked, or frozen, and the inlet screens are clean — and the washer still will not fill. Samsung directs owners to service if the code continues, and LG points to a possible malfunction in the water supply valve.

FAQ

Q: Why is my washer filling slowly? A: LG describes its water-inlet error as the tub not filling to an adequate level within a specified period. Check the same things the manufacturers list: a valve that is not fully open, a hose that is pressed or bent, a hose that is frozen in cold weather, and debris in the inlet screens.

Q: Why does my washer fill a little, then stop and show an error? A: LG documents that its water-inlet error appears when the tub does not fill to an adequate level within a specified period. When the washer cannot get enough water in, it shows its not-filling code — LG IE/E02/E10 or Samsung 4E/4C/nF. Clear the flow problem (valves, hoses, screens), then try a cycle again.