Why your code might look slightly different
Samsung has used several different code sets across its washer lineup over the years, more so than some other brands. An older top-load machine and a newer front-load model can display different codes for a similar underlying problem, and a digital display shows codes differently than an older LED panel. If the exact code on your machine doesn't match anything in the table below, your owner's manual or Samsung's model-specific support lookup is the more reliable source. This page covers the codes with enough real-world volume to be worth a dedicated guide, not every code Samsung has ever used. And if it's actually your dryer showing the code, not the washer, you'll want troubleshooting a Samsung dryer code instead.
Same letters, different brand. Samsung and LG both use the letters UE and DE on their washers, but each brand assigns its own meaning to them internally. If you've owned washers from both brands, or you're reading general "washer error code" advice online, don't assume a code means the same thing across brands. Always match the code to the specific machine in front of you.
Full Samsung washer error code table
| Code | What it means | Common causes |
|---|---|---|
| 4C | Water supply error, the washer isn't getting enough water, or fast enough | Supply valve not fully open, kinked inlet hose, clogged inlet filter, low household water pressure |
| SC | Drain error, the washer isn't draining within its expected time | Clogged drain pump filter, kinked drain hose, drain hose positioned too high |
| UR | Unbalanced load, the washer's sensor detects uneven weight and tries to rebalance on its own before pausing the spin if it can't | Uneven load distribution, a single heavy or bulky item, washer not sitting level |
| SUD | Excess suds detected in the tub | Too much detergent, or the wrong type for the machine |
| UB | A load-balance code some models display alongside or instead of UR | Similar causes to UR, uneven weight in the drum |
| SE | Drain error, the same fault family as SC, some model lines display it as 5E instead of a separate suds or sensor fault | Clogged drain pump filter, kinked or blocked drain hose, drain hose routed above the recommended height |
| U6 | Most often an unbalanced-load code related to UB; some sources tie it to a water-level or pressure issue during fill instead | Uneven load distribution and washer level in most cases; a restricted fill path in others |
| 4E | Water-supply (fill) error — Samsung's own support content treats 4E and 4C as the same underlying fault, just displayed differently depending on the model line | Supply valve not fully open, kinked or blocked inlet hose, clogged inlet filter screen, low household water pressure |
| UE | Unbalanced load detected during the spin cycle, distinct from LG's UE code despite sharing the same letters | Uneven load distribution, a single heavy or bulky item, washer not sitting level, worn suspension if it recurs on balanced loads |
| DE | Door or lid not detected as fully closed and locked, distinct from LG's own DE code (some models display this as DC too, though on other models DC means an unbalanced load instead — check your manual) | An item caught in the door seal or frame preventing full closure, a latch or striker slightly misaligned, a worn or failed door-lock component, a loose wiring connection |
| LE | Leak-detection error: either an actual water leak reaching the sensor on the base pan, or a faulty water-level pressure sensor sending an incorrect reading to the control board | A loose or damaged hose connection, a worn door seal, a cracked or clogged air-pressure hose feeding the level sensor, excess suds from too much or the wrong detergent |
Every code in the table above now has its own full walkthrough page.
Before you call for service
A handful of basics apply regardless of which code you're seeing. Unplug the washer for about 60 seconds and restart, which clears a meaningful share of transient sensor faults without any repair at all. Confirm the door or lid is fully closed and latched. And rule out a child-lock or demo mode, both of which can make the display behave in ways that look like an error but aren't one.