LG Portable AC Drain Required — How to Fix

What it means

LG portable AC Drain Required means the internal condensate water tank is full or nearly full.
Drain the unit via the lower drain port, then consider setting up continuous drainage to avoid interruptions during cooling.

How to Fix It

Turn off the unit before draining

Switch the LG portable AC off using the power button or remote before opening the drain port.
Draining with the unit running can cause spills as residual water moves inside the unit.
Place a container under the lower drain port

The lower manual drain port is at the back of the unit near the bottom.
Position a shallow bowl, tray, or bucket under it before opening — the water flows out quickly.
Remove the drain plug and drain fully

Pull or unscrew the rubber drain plug.
Allow all water to drain until the flow stops.
Tilt the unit slightly forward if needed to ensure complete drainage.
Refit the drain plug securely

Push the rubber plug firmly back into the drain port.
A loose plug will cause water to drip from the base during operation.
Connect the continuous drain hose for hands-free drainage

The upper drain port on the back panel accepts the included drain hose.
Attach the hose fitting, direct it to a floor drain, sink, or bucket, and ensure it runs downhill continuously.
The unit will drain automatically during operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

LG portable AC drains correctly but the Drain Required message reappears quickly?

In high humidity conditions the internal tank fills within a few hours.
Set up continuous drainage using the upper drain port to avoid repeated drain reminders during cooling.

LG portable AC Drain Required light flashing after I drained it — why?

Ensure the drain plug is fully reseated after draining.
If the lower drain port is not sealed, the float switch inside may remain in the triggered position.
Also check the upper drain hose is not blocked if you are using continuous drainage.

How much water does a LG portable AC collect per day?

In high-humidity conditions, an LG portable AC can collect 2–5 litres per hour depending on the model and humidity level.
In drier conditions collection is much lower.