Samsung Washer Error Codes

Common Samsung washer codes

Samsung uses several spellings for the same fault, depending on the model and display. They’re grouped below the way Samsung groups them.

Code	What Samsung says it means	What you can do
4C, 4E, nF	Water isn’t getting into the washer the way it should.	Open both faucets all the way. Check that hot goes to hot and cold to cold, and that neither hose is kinked. Samsung says not to use FloodSafe hoses. Unplug for one minute and try again.
5C, 5E, SC, SE, nd	Water isn’t draining fast enough, or at all.	Check the drain hose for kinks. On a front loader, clean the pump filter behind the small door at the bottom front. Put down towels and a shallow pan first, because water comes out.
UB, UE, Ur, U6	The load is unbalanced. Ur means the washer is retrying on its own, which isn’t a fault.	Untangle the load, spread it around the drum and restart. A single bath mat or comforter often won’t balance alone; add a couple of towels.
dC, dE, dS, dL, LO	The door isn’t detected as closed and locked. On some models dC means an unbalanced load instead, so check your manual.	Look for a sleeve or sock caught in the door and close it firmly. If the latch is cracked or loose, it needs service.
LC, LE, 1C, 1E	Moisture where it shouldn’t be, or a problem with the water level sensor.	Look for a small leak around the hoses. Run an empty cycle with no detergent. If suds show up, too much soap (or non-HE soap) is the cause.
4C2, 4E2	The cold line is delivering very hot water: the hoses are swapped.	Swap them back, blue to blue and red to red. Samsung says this one doesn’t need service.
9C1, 9C2, PF	Something is off with the power. PF also shows after an outage or a tripped breaker.	Plug the washer into its own outlet, with no extension cord.

Meanings checked against Samsung’s US support pages in October 2026. Your owner’s manual, found by model number on Samsung’s site, is the final word for your machine.

Messages that aren’t faults

• Sud or SUdS: too much foam. The washer pauses so the suds can settle, then finishes the cycle. Use less HE detergent next time.
• Cb: calibration mode. Let it run with the drum empty; it stops on its own after a few minutes.
• dn: the washer is downloading an update. Leave it powered on. Samsung says it takes about 15 minutes.

Why 4C and 5C show up in older buildings

In a lot of San Francisco flats the washer sits in a closet or on a back porch, tied into old plumbing. Weak water pressure on an upper floor can trip 4C. So can a drain hose pushed too far down the standpipe. Samsung says it should go in 6 to 8 inches; any deeper and it can siphon water out while the washer is still filling.

On a 5C call, the first thing we open is the pump filter. Hair ties, coins and baby socks end up there, and clearing them is often all it takes.

Codes that need a technician

Samsung lists these with no homeowner fix beyond a reset: 3C or 3E (motor), HC or HE (heater), tE or tC (temperature sensor), AE or AC (communication between boards), 8E or BE (vibration sensor) and PC or PE (clutch, on top loaders). Turn the washer off for 2 to 3 minutes, turn it back on and restart the cycle. If the code comes back, book a repair.

When to call

• 5C comes back after you’ve cleaned the pump filter and the hose is clear
• LC or LE with no suds in an empty cycle, or any water on the floor (turn off both faucets first)
• dC with a damaged latch, or a door that stays locked after the cycle ends
• Any motor, heater, sensor or communication code that returns after a 2 to 3 minute power-off

We repair Samsung washers across the San Francisco Bay Area, front load and top load. See Samsung appliance repair, washer repair, washer not spinning and washer leaking. It’s a $219 service call, free if you go with the repair, and you get the exact price before any work starts (how pricing works). We use OEM parts, and qualifying repairs carry 90 days on parts and labor. Same-day weekday service is often available.

We are factory authorized for Samsung, but this guide is ours, not Samsung's. Code meanings are paraphrased from Samsung's public support pages.

Bay Appliance Repair, 140 San Pedro Rd, Daly City, CA 94014 · (415) 585-5900 · BEAR #46247 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. We come to you; there is no walk-in counter.

Common questions

How do I reset a Samsung washer after an error code?

Fix the cause first, or the code comes straight back. Then turn the washer off or unplug it for one to three minutes, power it back on and restart the cycle. If the same code returns with the hoses, filter and door checked, the washer needs a technician to test the part behind the code.

Why does my Samsung washer show 4C when the water is on?

Check that both faucets are fully open, not just cracked, and that the hot and cold hoses aren't swapped. Grit can block the small screens where the hoses connect. Samsung also points to the drain hose: if it goes more than 8 inches into the standpipe, it can siphon water out as fast as it comes in.

Does UB mean my Samsung washer is broken?

Usually not. UB means the load bunched up on one side, so the washer stopped spinning to protect itself. Spread the load out and restart. If it shows UB with normal mixed loads on a level floor, the suspension rods or shocks may be worn, and that is a repair.