What FF, u51 (Freeze Failure) Means
FF stands for Freeze Failure and appears when the internal temperature of the washer drops below about 1°C (34°F), most often in an unheated garage or outdoor-adjacent laundry room in cold weather - documented on both LG's front-load and top-load washer pages. The washer disables its controls until its internal temperature rises back above about 4°C.
Common Causes of FF, u51 (Freeze Failure)
- Washer installed somewhere that drops below freezing (garage, unheated porch, outbuilding)
- Water remaining in the drain hose or tub froze after a previous cycle
- Inlet hoses or taps frozen
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Open the washer door and remove any laundry, then pour warm (not boiling) water into the drum, close the door, and wait 1-2 hours for the drain pump area to thaw before running a Rinse-only cycle to confirm normal operation; if the inlet hose is also frozen, thaw it separately by wrapping it in a warm, wet towel rather than pouring water directly on it.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- Never pour boiling water into the drum to speed up thawing - LG specifically warns this risks burn injuries; warm water only.
- If FF appears even though the room genuinely isn't cold, that's not a normal freeze-protection trigger and points to a temperature sensor fault needing a technician rather than a thawing routine.
- If you won't be using the washer through the winter in a cold space, draining all residual water from the tub, drain hose, and inlet hoses beforehand prevents this from recurring each cold snap.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.