LG WM3600HWA musty or mildew smell in the washer
Cause 1 of 5Too much detergent, or detergent that is not HE. Source: Troubleshooting: Performance, p. 48
First checkUse only HE detergent as the detergent maker directs.
Causes and checks
Too much detergent, or detergent that is not HE. Source: Troubleshooting: Performance, p. 48
- Use only HE detergent as the detergent maker directs.
The drum is not cleaned regularly. Source: Troubleshooting: Performance, p. 48
- Run the Tub Clean cycle regularly. See Run the Tub Clean cycle.
The rubber door gasket and door seal area are not cleaned regularly, so mold or foreign substances cause odor. Source: Troubleshooting: Odor, p. 48
- Clean the gasket and door seal regularly.
- Check under the door seal for small items when you unload the washer.
Foreign substances are left in the drain pump filter. Source: Troubleshooting: Odor, p. 48
- Clean the drain pump filter regularly.
The drain hose is kinked or blocked and water siphons back into the washer. Source: Troubleshooting: Odor, p. 48
- Reinstall the drain hose so it is not kinked or blocked.
All 5 causes checked. Contact LG Customer Information Center: 1-800-243-0000.
Service
If the checks above do not clear it, contact LG Customer Information Center: 1-800-243-0000, lg.com/us/support. United States (Canada: 1-888-542-2623). Source: Limited Warranty: To Obtain Warranty Service, pp. 51, 56
Other WM3600HWA problems
- Water does not drain or drains slowly3 causes in the manual. First: the drain hose is kinked, pinched or clogged.
- Washer is not filling properly5 causes in the manual. First: the inlet filters on the fill valves are clogged.
- Washer will not operate or does not turn on6 causes in the manual. First: the control panel powered off after a period of inactivity.
- Water leaks from the washer4 causes in the manual. First: the hoses are not connected correctly.
- Washer is noisy or vibrates7 causes in the manual. First: keys, coins or safety pins are in the drum or the pump (rattling or clanking).
- Washer will not connect to Wi-Fi5 causes in the manual. First: the Wi-Fi password was entered incorrectly.
Sources
- Owner's Manual, Washing Machine WM3600H*A. LG Electronics Inc. Document MFL70701250, revision Rev.04, 2026-01-23, 60 pages, en-US. gscs-b2c.lge.com. Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
- Owner's Manual, Washing Machine WM4200H*A / WM4100H*A. LG Electronics Inc. Document MFL71728905, revision Rev.05, 2025-11-20, 60 pages, en-US. gscs-b2c.lge.com. Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.