Samsung Washer Error Codes List: Every Code Explained

Every Samsung washer error code we could verify against Samsung's own documentation — what it means, what usually causes it, and the first fix to try — in one table. Codes differ between model series, so treat your model's tech sheet as the final word.

How to read and retrieve error codes on Samsung washers

Most Samsung washers store recent fault codes that a technician can read in the service/diagnostic mode. Entry varies by model family: on many front-loaders you press and hold Delay End and Pre Soak (or Temp and Spin, on older models) together for about 3 seconds until the display lights all segments; on top-loaders a similar two-button hold (often Delay End + Pre Soak) is used. Once inside, the cycle knob steps through stored codes and component tests (fill, drain, motor, heater). Because the button pair differs between model years, confirm the pair for your exact model in the tech sheet fixed inside the machine or in the user manual before relying on a code you read there.

The complete Samsung washer error code list

How to reset / clear error codes on Samsung washers

On Samsung washers most fault codes clear with a power reset: switch the machine off, unplug it (or trip the breaker) for at least 5 minutes so the control board fully discharges, then restore power and run a short Rinse+Spin or a small test load. If the code was caused by a one-off condition — a kinked hose, an unbalanced load, a suds spike — it will not come back. If it returns on the next cycle, the control has detected the same fault again and the reset has only cleared the message, not the cause. Samsung does not use a button-combination 'master reset' on most models; the power cycle is the reset.

How to diagnose any Samsung washer code

Work the problem in this order: (1) write the code down exactly as displayed — photograph it, because opening the door or pressing pause can clear it; (2) ask what the machine was doing when the code appeared — filling, washing, draining, spinning or heating points straight at the fault family; (3) run the external checks for that family first: taps and inlet screens for fill codes, the pump filter and drain hose for drain codes, load size and levelling for balance codes, the door seal and latch for lock codes — these cure the majority of washer codes without a single part; (4) clear the code and run the shortest cycle that exercises the same function (a rinse-and-spin for drain faults, a small wash for fill faults) while you watch — a code that returns in the same phase is an active fault, not a glitch; (5) only then test or replace the component the code monitors, and re-test under the same conditions that produced the fault. Skipping to step 5 is how good parts get replaced for a clogged filter.

The most searched Samsung washer codes, in detail

3C — Motor error

3C belongs to Samsung's motor-fault family (3C, 3C1–3C4 on detailed displays, related to 8C/AC codes on other generations): the main control is not seeing the motor behave as commanded — it may not start, may run at the wrong speed, or its feedback signal is missing. Causes range from an overloaded or jammed drum to a failing motor, a damaged motor harness, or the motor control (inverter) section of the board.

Most likely cause: Drum jammed or severely overloaded — A trapped item (coin, wire) between tub and drum, or a load so heavy the motor cannot start — try this first: it costs nothing.

First check: Unplug, then rotate the drum by hand: it should turn smoothly with slight magnetic cogging; grinding, scraping or a hard stop means a jam or bearing problem.

If it keeps coming back: 3C that returns under heavy loads but not empty cycles suggests a weakening motor or board drive stage that fails under current demand, or early bearing drag adding load. A drum that is getting noisier month by month points mechanical.

4C — Water supply error

4C is Samsung's water-supply fault code (shown as 4E on older models). The control opens the inlet valves and watches the water level sensor: if the tub does not reach the expected level within the allowed time, the machine stops, displays 4C and will not start the wash. It is a 'water in' problem — the machine is protecting itself from running a cycle it cannot fill, and on many models it will also drain any water already in the tub as a precaution.

Most likely cause: Water taps not fully open, or supply hoses kinked/frozen — The single most common cause. A tap half-closed during a plumbing job, a hose crushed behind the machine, or a frozen line in winter starves the fill.

First check: Confirm both taps are fully open and no other major fixture is running; check the hoses are not kinked behind the machine.

If it keeps coming back: If 4C keeps coming back after clean screens and a new valve, look at the house side again — pressure that sags when a shower or irrigation runs will re-trigger it at busy times of day — and at the level-sensor hose, which can hold a trapped bubble of water that slowly re-creates the fault over several cycles.

4E — Water supply error

4E is the water-supply fault on older Samsung washers; newer models display the identical fault as 4C. The control has called for water and the level sensor has not seen the tub fill within the allowed time, so the cycle stops. Everything about 4E — causes, checks and fixes — matches 4C; Samsung simply changed the code format between display generations.

Most likely cause: Supply taps closed or hoses kinked — The most common cause, especially after the machine was moved or plumbing work was done.

First check: Make sure both water taps are fully open.

If it keeps coming back: Recurring 4E after cleaning usually means pressure that drops when the house draws water elsewhere, or a level-sensor hose that is slowly taking on water and misreporting the level.

5C — Drain error

5C (shown as 5E on older Samsung displays, and as SC in some character sets) means the control ran the drain pump but the water level did not fall as expected. The machine stops — usually with a tub full of water — because it cannot safely spin a full tub. In the large majority of cases the water path is physically blocked: the pump filter, the pump itself, or the drain hose. Genuine pump failures are the second most common cause.

Most likely cause: Clogged pump (debris) filter — On front-loaders the filter behind the lower front access panel slowly collects coins, lint, hair and small clothing items until flow stops. This is the first thing to check — it needs no tools beyond a shallow tray.

First check: If there is an access panel at the lower front, open it, drain the tub slowly through the small emergency drain tube into a shallow tray, then unscrew the debris filter and clean it.

If it keeps coming back: If 5C keeps coming back with a clean filter, the restriction is usually deeper: lint build-up in the tub-to-pump hose, a standpipe that is slowly silting up, or a pump that is weakening and only fails under a full load of water. Repeated jamming objects point to a damaged tub gasket or a drum baffle letting items escape.

9C8 — Voltage/power-supply related fault code reported on some Samsung washer platforms (9C family covers electrical supply and board power issues).

The 9C code family on Samsung appliances covers electrical supply faults — abnormal supply voltage or a board power problem. 9C8 is one of the least-documented members of that family and appears on a limited set of models; Samsung's public materials do not publish a single universal definition for it across platforms. What is consistent: the machine has detected an electrical supply condition outside its operating window, or a related power-stage fault, and has stopped to protect its electronics. Treat it as a power problem first and a parts problem second.

Most likely cause: Supply voltage out of range — Brownouts, a failing outlet, an overloaded circuit or a generator/inverter supply the board dislikes.

First check: Try the machine on a different, known-good outlet (no extension lead or power strip) and see whether the code follows the machine or the outlet.

If it keeps coming back: 9C8 returning at the same time of day suggests house supply sag (heavy neighbourhood load); returning under the machine's own heavy draws suggests its board power stage is weakening.

AC6 — Communication error between the main control board and the motor/inverter control (displayed as AC on some models).

AC-family codes (AC, AC6 and relatives) mean two of the washer's control boards have stopped talking to each other — on most Samsung washers, the main PCB and the inverter/motor drive. The machine stops because the main board cannot trust motor control without feedback. The fault is as often a connection problem (harness, corroded connector, a board suffering moisture) as a dead board.

Most likely cause: Loose or corroded board connectors — Laundry-room humidity corrodes the low-voltage comms connectors over years; reseating them cures a surprising share of AC codes.

First check: Power-cycle first: a one-off comms glitch (after a storm or power flicker) can set AC6 once and never return.

If it keeps coming back: AC6 that returns in humid weather or after the machine sits unused points to connector corrosion; returning under load points to the inverter stage weakening. Photograph connector condition before cleaning — corrosion patterns tell the story.

Less common and model-specific codes

Search data shows owners also meet these codes on Samsung washers: 3C2, A5, A6, AP, AS, BC4, BUB, C3, C4, C5, CC, CO, CR, D3, E01, E6, EE, EU, F03, F09, F1, F21, F4, F5, F9, F9E1, HC1, IC, IDC4, J013, JO, LCI, LF, LU, Means, O6, OFF, OT, OUT, S5, SUB, TC1, U5, UB1, UL, WON. They are not part of the core code list Samsung publishes for most models — several are series-specific, abbreviated display readings, or codes carried over from a sister platform — so we do not publish meanings for them rather than guess. Treat them by symptom: note what the machine was doing when the code appeared (filling, draining, heating, spinning), run one full power cycle (5 minutes off), and if the code returns, match the symptom to the closest documented family in the table above and check the tech sheet stored inside your machine for the model-specific definition.

Deep-dive guides for the most searched codes

Frequently asked questions

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Facts on this page were checked against manufacturer documentation: www.samsung.com · www.samsung.com · www.samsung.com · www.samsung.com