LG Washer Error Code HC1

HC1 is a heater error code that triggers when the washer's bottom-mounted temperature sensor detects a temperature between 100 and 150 degrees Celsius, typically because the heater activated with little or no water present. The machine responds by cutting input power entirely as a safety measure. The root cause is usually a faulty heater element, a bad wire connection, or a PB relay malfunction on the control board.

No. The HC1 code represents a thermal protection shutdown, meaning the machine detected temperatures high enough to pose a fire or damage risk and cut power intentionally. Running the washer before the fault is resolved could cause further damage to internal components or create a safety hazard. The washer should remain out of service until the heater circuit is inspected and the faulty component is repaired or replaced.

Repair costs depend on which component has failed. A replacement heater element typically falls in the range of 30 to 80 dollars for the part alone, while a new main control board can range from 100 to 250 dollars or more depending on the model. If you hire a technician, add labor costs of roughly 80 to 150 dollars per hour depending on your region. Starting with the wiring connections costs nothing and should always be the first step.

Some steps are DIY-friendly, such as checking and reseating the wire connections at the heater terminals. However, testing and replacing the heater element or diagnosing a PB relay fault on the control board requires comfort with electrical testing using a multimeter and experience working inside the washer cabinet. If you are not confident working with electrical components, a qualified technician should handle the repair.

A power reset may temporarily clear the code from the display, but it will not fix the underlying problem. If the heater element is faulty, the wiring connection is damaged, or the PB relay is malfunctioning, the HC1 error will return as soon as the machine attempts a heated wash cycle. A proper diagnosis and repair of the root cause is required to permanently resolve the error.