[imglorp]

Sure it's clever. But it also means you can't repair the appliance without the manufacturer's server to decode it for you.

[grepfru_it]

Owner of an LG washer that failed here.

All the same diagnostics you can do at the machine, the phone home service allowed a remote engineer to diagnose as well. Things like drum rpm, tilt/knock sensors, uneven balance detection. Instead of paying a human $250 to come out and press buttons, they can do it remotely.

I understand in the pessimistic age of John Deere, all remote diagnostics are bad, but that is not the case here. I was able to do all of the diagnosis myself to determine it was a bad stator and then replace it myself.

[yhager]

How were you able to diagnose it yourself? Just through the error codes, or is there another interface available for non-technicians?

[grepfru_it]

You enter diagnostic mode on the panel, there exists a service manual which describes the process

[thesuitonym]

It doesn't require a server, it just requires knowing what the codes mean, same as blinking lights.

Decoding it without help would be difficult for the average consumer, but it's not an impossible task.