If your Samsung washer has started playing an unusual tune because of an error, you might think a reset is an easy fix – and in some cases, you’re right!
However, it’s worth knowing what the limitations are before you cause yourself a bigger problem further down the road.
How to Reset Your Samsung Washing Machine
Unfortunately, washing machines (unlike computers) usually have a genuine reason for throwing an error. Because of this, they don’t have an inbuilt ‘reset’ function – but you can still do it through a hard reset.
To reset your Samsung washing machine, you just need to disconnect the power at the mains for 3-5 minutes before turning it back on.
When to Reset (and When Not to Reset) Your Samsung Washing Machine
If you’re resetting the machine due to an error code – it’s worth noting the code and checking what it means before you actually do the reset.
In essence, all the reset does is erase the code and try again, but if the code is telling you that water can’t get into or out of the machine – it’s not going to fix this.
Samsung has a complete list of error codes published online, so follow their guide to fix the source if you can.
If you can’t fix it yourself, it’s best to call either Samsung support or a local appliance technician to help.
Tip: If your machine is still within the warranty period, don’t fiddle yourself and go straight to Samsung support!
On the other hand, if you have fixed the fault – resetting your Samsung washing machine will let you clear the error and restart the machine to try again.
Bear in mind it’ll likely jump back to the start of the washing cycle, so if your machine is loaded with water – don’t be tempted to open the door (unless you need your floors washed…)
When Resetting Your Samsung Washing Machine Doesn’t Work
As you might have guessed, resetting your Samsung washer is unlikely to help – in most cases, you do need to fix the source of the error to get your machine back up and running.
Have a look to see what your error code means – I’ve included some below – and then the guidance on how to fix that specific problem.
It might not be a quick fix, but it will get you back up and running ASAP.
Error 1 – Water level or leak
Specific Codes: 1C | 1 1C | 1E | 1 LC| LC | LC1 | LE
All this essentially means is there’s water or moisture somewhere it shouldn’t be… OR the moisture sensor is broken and sending off faulty signals.
How to Fix
- Have a look around the machine for any rogue water drops. If you find any, tighten up the hoses and connections nearby.
- Check that all your hoses are free-flowing, with no kinks or obvious blockages.
- Remove everything from the washer – prepping the floor with towels if the washing machine is full of water – and run it on a completely empty cycle with no clothes or detergent. If soapy suds appear, it’s likely you’ve used too much detergent at some point. The only way to fix this is to keep running empty cycles until the soap is all cleared out.
Error 2 – Drainage
Specific Codes: 1 5C | 5C | 5E | nd | SC | SE
Your machine got the water in – but can’t get it back out. This means there’s either a blockage somewhere or a kink in the drainage hose.
How to Fix
- Check the filter – especially if you wear PPE masks, hair bobbles, or trainer socks, as these are the most common culprits in my house. You’ll need to look out 3-4 large towels to prevent a minor flood as when you remove the filter, you’re also going to release all the water from the machine.
- Check all your hoses at the back for any obvious kinks or blockages. If there’s nothing glaring, try either removing the drainage hose completely to flush it through or disconnecting one end and checking for a blockage.
Error 3 – Not Filling
Specific Codes: 1 4C | 4C | 4E | nF
Your machine can’t get the water in. This is most common if you’ve just plugged in the appliance or if you’re experiencing low water pressure due to a burst pipe in the area.
How to Fix
- If your appliance has been plugged in and worked before, check there’s not something wrong with the water in the rest of your house – just run a cold water tap and see whether the pressure is what you think is normal. If the tap is dry or trickling, it’s likely a problem with the local water supply than the machine. Hang fire until the supply is back to normal, then try starting the washing machine again.
If your appliance is new, double-check all the supply hoses, make sure hot-hot and cold-cold lines match up where needed, that there are no kinks in the lines, and that all the water valves are open.
Error 4 – Hot/Cold Mix & Match
Specific Codes: 14C2 | 4C2 | 4E2 | CE | nF1
The water coming from the cold supply is too hot to be deemed ‘cold’, likely due to a mix-up with the lines.
How to Fix
Double-check your supply lines, and make sure the cold (blue) supply is matched to the cold (blue) inlet and the hot (red) supply is matched to the hot (red) inlet.
Error 5 – Jammed Buttons
Specific Codes: 6E2 | 8E2* | bE2 | BE2* | E2
(*On some models, this can be either a jammed button or a Mems Sensor issue.)
If you’ve got an older appliance or kids with sticky fingers, one of the buttons on your washer might be stuck in / jammed / constantly depressed.
How to Fix
Quite a quick fix for this one – turn the machine off, then give the buttons a good clean. Press them individually until you find the stuck one, then give that some extra attention. A small cocktail stick or interdental brush might help you release it if it’s proving tricky.
Error 6 – Power & Voltage Problems
Specific Codes: 19C1 | 19C2 | 2E | 3E* | 9C1 | 9C2 | 9E1 | 9E2 | PF
(*On some models, this can be either a jammed button or a general ‘Motor’ error.)
If you’ve had a power cut mid-cycle, your machine might throw an error because of the irregular electricity supply.
How to Fix
Once the power is back on, check the circuit breaker and electric panel within your house to make sure nothing’s tripped, then reset the machine by turning off at the mains for 3-5 minutes – then turn it back on.
Error 7 – Door Error
Specific Codes: 1 dC | 1dC1 | 1dC4 | d5 | dC* | dC1 | dE | dE1 | dE2 | dL | dS | FL | L0 | LO
The machine doesn’t believe that the door is closed – either because it’s not or because there’s a problem with the door or latch mechanism.
How to Fix
Check that the door is closed and the latch is securely fixed with no rogue socks stuck in the door jam. If it’s nothing obvious, you will need to check the seal and latch and potentially replace one or both.
Error 8 – Unbalanced Load
Specific Codes: 1U6 | 1Ub | dc* | U6 | Ub
(*On some models, this can be either an unbalanced load or door error.)
The load is somehow unbalanced; it might be that some heavy items have become tangled, or perhaps it’s just slightly overloaded.
How to Fix
Try to untangle and rearrange the load if you can so that it’s more balanced, then restart the machine. If this doesn’t work, remove a few items and try again.
NB – A “Ur” code needs no action, it’s just there to tell you that the washer is going to try to fix itself by adding more water.
FAQs
How do I force my Samsung washer to reset?
Turn the machine off at the mains for 3-5 minutes before turning it back on. If your machine was mid-cycle, make sure not to open the door between resetting and turning it back on, otherwise, you’ll cause a less-than-ideal flood.
How do I manually reset my Samsung washing machine?
Manual is the only way I’m afraid! Turn the machine off at the mains for 3-5 minutes, then turn it back on.
How do I reset my Samsung washer when it’s locked?
There’s only one way to reset – turn the machine off at the mains for 3-5 minutes before turning it back on.
If your machine was mid-cycle, make sure not to open the door between resetting and turning it back on, otherwise, you’ll cause a less-than-ideal flood.
How do I run a diagnostic on my Samsung washing machine?
Most Samsungs have diagnostics built in – whenever there’s a problem, they’ll pop up with an error code on the screen that you can use to identify and then fix the issue.
Read also: How to Reset LG Washing Machine
