Samsung washer 4C code: what it means and how to fix it

By Daniel Brooks, Home maintenance writer and appliance troubleshooting specialist based in Charlotte, NC. Reviewed [date — human adds].

Quick answer

The 4C code on a Samsung washer means the machine isn't getting enough water, or isn't getting it fast enough, usually because a supply valve isn't fully open, an inlet hose is kinked, or the inlet filter is clogged. Here's how to check each of those, in order, before assuming anything more serious is wrong.

Safety first

Shut off both water supply valves before disconnecting any inlet hose, and unplug the washer before working at the connections on the back of the machine. Residual water in the hose can still spray out even with the valve closed, so keep a towel handy.

What 4C means

Code	What it means	Common causes	What to check
4C	Water supply error, the washer isn't receiving enough water, or fast enough, within its expected time	Supply valve not fully open, kinked or crimped inlet hose, clogged inlet filter screens, low household water pressure, water supply shut off entirely	Both hot and cold supply valves, inlet hoses, inlet filter screens, water pressure elsewhere in the house

Samsung's own troubleshooting documentation lists a blocked or partially closed water supply as the leading cause of this error, along with kinked hoses and a malfunctioning inlet valve (Samsung washer error code support).

Work through it in order

Start with the fastest check. Most 4C errors clear at step 1 or 2 without needing to touch the inlet filter at all.

Confirm both water supply valves are fully open

Check the hot and cold valves behind the washer. A valve that's only partially open is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of 4C, since it's easy to assume a valve is fully on when it's actually a quarter-turn short.

Check both inlet hoses for kinks

Look at the full length of each hose from the wall connection to the back of the washer, especially if the machine was recently moved or reinstalled. A crimped hose restricts flow enough to trigger 4C even with the valve fully open.

Clean the inlet filter screens

Turn off the water supply, disconnect the hoses at the washer end, and check the small mesh screens where each hose connects. These catch sediment from the household supply and are a very common clog point, especially in older homes or areas with harder water.

Test water pressure elsewhere in the house

If the valves, hoses, and filters all check out, run a nearby faucet and see whether it's slower than normal too. A house-wide low-pressure issue can trigger 4C even with nothing wrong at the washer itself.

When it's not the water supply at all

If pressure and hoses check out fine and 4C keeps coming back, the inlet valve solenoid inside the washer may have failed. That's a part-replacement job rather than something you can unclog, and it's a reasonable point to bring in a technician. It's also worth ruling out a drain problem instead of a supply problem: a washer stuck mid-fill behaves very differently from one stuck mid-drain, and it's easy to mix the two up from memory after the fact.

When to call a technician

Call a technician if 4C persists with confirmed full water pressure and clean filters and hoses, or if the inlet valve makes an audible click or hum but no water actually flows into the tub.

Photos for this guide

Samsung washer display showing the 4C water supply error code. — Real photo of a Samsung washer display showing the 4C code.

Checking that both water supply valves are fully open behind a Samsung washer to clear a 4C error. — Real photo of the water supply valves behind a Samsung washer.

FAQ

What does 4C mean on a Samsung washer?

4C signals a water supply error. The washer expects a certain amount of water within a set time and isn't receiving it, usually because of a partially closed valve, a kinked hose, or a clogged inlet filter rather than a major mechanical fault.

Why does my Samsung washer show 4C even though the water is turned on?

Water being "on" and water reaching the washer fast enough aren't always the same thing. A valve that's only partially open, a clogged inlet filter, or genuinely low household water pressure can all restrict flow enough to trigger 4C even with the supply technically active.

How do I check the inlet filter screens on a Samsung washer?

Turn off both water supply valves, disconnect the inlet hoses from the back of the washer, and look for a small mesh screen at the connection point. Clear any visible sediment with a soft brush or by rinsing under running water, then reconnect the hoses and turn the supply back on.

Can low water pressure cause a 4C error even with everything else working?

Yes. If plumbing fixtures elsewhere in the house also run slower than usual, general low water pressure rather than a washer-specific blockage may be the cause. Testing a nearby faucet's flow helps rule this in or out before assuming a hose or filter problem.

For other Samsung washer codes, including the ones for a drain error or an unbalanced load, see the full code list.