Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes: Complete List and How to Fix Them

What Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes Mean

Samsung washing machines display error codes on their digital panel when something goes wrong. These codes tell you exactly what the machine has detected — from a water supply problem to an unbalanced load to a sensor fault. Most error codes have simple fixes you can do yourself without calling a Samsung service engineer.

This guide covers every common Samsung washing machine error code, what it means, and how to fix it step by step.

Samsung Error Code Quick Reference Table

Error Code Also Shown As Meaning
4E / 4C nF (older models) Water not filling — water supply problem
5E / 5C nE (older models) Water not draining — drainage problem
UE / Ub — Unbalanced load — clothes not evenly distributed
dE / dE1 / dE2 DC Door not closed or door lock fault
HE / HE1 / HE2 — Heater error — water not heating correctly
OC / OE — Water overflow — too much water in drum
LE / LE1 — Water leakage detected
tE / tE1 / tE2 / tE3 — Temperature sensor fault
3E / 3C — Motor problem — drum not spinning correctly
AE / AC — Communication error — PCB to inverter board
Sud / 5ud — Excess suds — too much detergent used
8E / 8C — MEMS sensor error (vibration sensor)

How to Fix Each Samsung Error Code

4E / 4C — Water Not Filling

Causes: Tap turned off, kinked inlet hose, clogged mesh filter, low water pressure.

  1. Check that the water tap behind the machine is fully open.
  2. Inspect the inlet hose — make sure it’s not kinked or bent.
  3. Turn off the tap, disconnect the inlet hose, and check the small mesh filter inside the hose connector. Clean it under running water if clogged with sediment.
  4. Reconnect, turn on the tap, and restart the wash cycle.

If the error persists after these steps, the water inlet valve may be faulty — call Samsung service.

5E / 5C — Water Not Draining

Causes: Clogged drain pump filter, kinked drain hose, blocked drain pipe.

  1. Locate the drain pump filter (usually behind a small cover at the bottom front of the machine).
  2. Place a towel and shallow tray to catch water, then slowly unscrew the filter cap.
  3. Remove any lint, coins, or debris from the filter. Clean thoroughly.
  4. Check the drain hose at the back — it should not be kinked or inserted too deep into the drain pipe (max 10 cm deep).
  5. Reinstall the filter cap and run a drain/spin cycle.

UE / Ub — Unbalanced Load

Causes: Large items (bedsheets, towels) bundled on one side; only 1–2 small items in the drum.

  1. Open the door and redistribute clothes evenly around the drum.
  2. For a single heavy item (pillow, duvet), add a few lighter items to balance the load.
  3. Never wash just one heavy item alone — it will always unbalance.
  4. Close the door and press Start/Pause to resume the cycle.

dE / DC — Door Not Closed

  1. Open the door completely and firmly close it until you hear a click.
  2. Check that no clothing is trapped in the door seal.
  3. Inspect the door latch for visible damage.
  4. If the door closes but the error persists, the door lock switch may need replacement.

Sud / 5ud — Excess Suds

  1. The machine will pause and try to reduce suds automatically — wait 15–20 minutes.
  2. Do not add more detergent.
  3. Switch to HE (High Efficiency) detergent which produces less foam.
  4. Use half the recommended detergent quantity for Indian water softness levels.

HE / tE — Heater or Temperature Sensor Error

These errors typically require a technician. Turn off the machine, reset by unplugging for 5 minutes, and restart. If the error reappears immediately, call Samsung service — these involve the heating element or NTC temperature sensor.

How to Reset a Samsung Washing Machine

For most errors: unplug the machine from the power socket, wait 5 minutes, plug back in, and restart. This clears temporary electronic errors. If the same error code reappears within minutes of restarting, the underlying component needs attention.

When to Call Samsung Service

Contact Samsung service at 1800 5 7267864 (toll-free) if:

  • The error persists after cleaning filters and checking hoses.
  • You see HE, tE, 3E, AE, or LE error codes — these involve internal components.
  • The machine is under warranty — always prefer authorised service to preserve warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Samsung show 4E when the tap is open?

Check the mesh filter inside the inlet hose connector — even partial clogging is enough to trigger 4E. Also confirm the tap is fully open, not just partially.

My Samsung shows 5E but the drain hose looks fine — what next?

Clean the drain pump filter at the bottom of the machine. Lint and small items (coins, hairpins) in the filter are the most common cause of 5E even when the drain hose is clear.

What does error code E2 mean on an older Samsung model?

On older Samsung top-load models, E2 typically means a water drainage error — equivalent to 5E on newer models. Clean the drain pump filter and check the drain hose.