Error E4/UE/UB on Samsung washing machine: what does it mean?

If a Samsung machine malfunctions, the self-diagnosis function allows you to independently identify the problem and find ways to solve it. For example, you started a program, but after washing and rinsing, the unit suddenly stopped, refusing to spin the laundry. If it were not for the appearance of the information code on the display, it would have been much more difficult to find out about the nature of the problem. In this article, we will look at what the UE error means on a Samsung washing machine, how to fix it and get the equipment working at home.

The UE system code most often appears during the spin phase.

Explanation of the error and its causes

The situation is this: washing is carried out as usual until the spin cycle begins. This procedure requires rapid rotation of the drum, but it rotates slowly for 2-3 minutes, after which the unit stops working. The delay may occur at 3 or even 7 minutes of spinning, but the result remains the same: spinning stops, the machine freezes, and the E4, UB or UE signal appears on the display.

This is how the Samsung device notifies you when the drum is unbalanced.

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It is necessary to distinguish between error E4 and 4E. The second signal indicates a failure in the water supply and occurs both at the very beginning of the wash and during rinsing.

How is the UE code deciphered?

The UE error indicates that the drum load is unbalanced. In older models produced before 2007, this problem is indicated on the display by code E4. Do not confuse this with code 4E, which indicates a problem with water supply. Usually the indication appears at 3, 7 or 9 minutes of spinning. During this time, the machine attempts to start the last stage of washing. If it fails, you see the UE code on the display.

To determine the severity of the breakdown at the initial stage, try running a single wash cycle. If the error occurs even when the drum is unloaded, the washing machine will most likely need serious repairs. The absence of a code on the display and the free start of the spin cycle after unloading the unit indicate a problem that can be easily fixed with your own hands.

Samsung washing machine: UE error and its causes

The malfunction is most often associated with improper loading of the tank:

overload - washing is carried out, but the machine does not have enough power to spin;

Large items - laundry - are loaded together with small items. The latter get inside the larger ones and get stuck together. For 2–3 minutes, the drum at low speeds tries to redistribute the stray items, but if this fails, the Samsung washing machine displays the UE error code on the monitor;
1 heavy thing - a duvet cover, and a pair of light ones are unevenly distributed over the drum and make it difficult to rotate;
Clothes and underwear made from different fabrics, when wet, acquire different weights. Incorrect load causes rotation to stop.

Recommendations and preventive measures

If the UE problem in a Samsung washing machine is not caused by a serious breakdown of the control board or wear of the drum bearings, it can be easily fixed with your own hands. But even minor repairs take extra time and effort. To avoid having to deal with the error, you should follow simple preventive measures:

study the instructions for the washing unit and do not overload it;
sort things by materials before putting them in the tank;
not starting the device with too little laundry - this is uneconomical and also causes UE failure;
use washing without spinning or set the lowest speed when processing heavy clothes and blankets;
After moving the Samsung machine, check the level to see how level it is relative to the floor.

Ideally, it is recommended to load the unit by 2/3 of the maximum allowable volume of things. In this case, the device will cope with the spin cycle even taking into account the increased weight of wet clothes.

Solution algorithm sequentially

If your Samsung washing machine displays code E4, this does not mean that you urgently need to call a repair shop. If the reason is the feeding of an excessive amount of laundry and uneven distribution, it can be eliminated independently.

To begin with, set a lower number of revolutions. The items are placed more evenly and the machine spins. If the display still shows UE, do this.

5–7 minutes after stopping, the hatch will unlock. If not, then manually press the On/Off button, turn off the device and wait for the door to open.
Linen and clothes are pulled out of the drum, untwisted and evenly distributed. Some things are put aside if necessary.
Turn on the washing machine and start the “Rinse and Spin” mode. If the problem is corrected, the washing machine ends the cycle.

It is possible that the hatch cannot be unlocked because there is still water in the device. An emergency drain is required. To do this, turn off the unit, unscrew the filter cap at the bottom, take out the hose and drain the remaining liquid into a bucket.

After this, the hatch will unlock. Then they act according to the same scheme.

Other reasons

Error E4 appears for other reasons.

If the washing machine is placed on an uneven surface, the items inside it will move off-axis. At high speeds they quickly get stuck together and the drum stops. To fix the damage, you need to adjust the height of the legs. If the model is old, wooden wedges are placed under the legs.

If there is not enough laundry, place a couple of soaked terry towels in the drum to provide the missing weight.

The unit gives a signal if the control module fails. In this case, it is turned off for 10–20 minutes and then started again.

Serious damage

The imbalance message is not always correct: after all, the control unit only identifies the result. If all the above steps do not help, look for other reasons.

The drum rotates only in one direction and stops during the spin cycle; signal E4 appears on the display. The situation looks normal, but in fact the relay is damaged or failed, which is why the drum rotates only clockwise. The processor stops the wash. If the relay fails, it is replaced; if the processor is damaged, the board must be completely replaced. Such repairs are performed in a workshop.
The Samsung machine makes a lot of noise when spinning, after 3-5 minutes the washing stops, and stains appear at the bottom. The problem is typical for machines with a significant period of use and consists in wear of bearings and seals. Parts are being replaced.
If the Samsung stops immediately after switching to spin mode, the problem is in the drive belt - it has stretched or torn. Breakage can be prevented: when the belt begins to delaminate, the drum moves in small jerks.
If your Samsung device vibrates a lot, knocks, creaks when spinning, and code E4 appears on the display, this means that 1 or more shock absorbers have failed. They compensate for the vibrations of the tank during rotation, and when they fail, the drum rotates unevenly.
Error E4 appears both during washing and rinsing. This indicates a breakdown of the tachometer, which regulates the rotation speed.

You can replace the relay yourself. Repair of shock absorbers or tachometers is usually entrusted to specialists.

Why does the error occur?

If you are about to do laundry and see the Uе error on the display of your Samsung washing machine, do not panic. This means you just need to consider all possible options for breakdowns with this designation and try to fix the problems yourself.

There are different error codes that appear on the control panel of the appliance when washing.

They indicate the possible causes of the problem and tell you what to do and where exactly to look for a breakdown.

If the information screen shows an error code Ue on a Samsung washing machine, this means that there is an imbalance in the drum. Do not panic, as such a malfunction appears quite often and is not critical. Most likely, this error appeared as a result of uneven loading of laundry into the drum, which caused an imbalance.

How to fix the problem yourself?

The solution to the problem depends on the identified cause. If it is not critical, you can fix it yourself.

Troubleshooting methods may include the following:

If there are a lot of things in the drum or they differ in the quality of the material, you should either reduce the volume of the load or divide the laundry depending on the fabric.
When a stop occurs due to underload, it is worth adding one or two more things to the drum. This can be a clean product soaked in water. Thanks to this trick, you can continue washing from the moment you rinse or spin.
In the event of a failure in the control module, the problem is solved by rebooting. The Samsung is completely turned off and restarted after 10-15 minutes. Such a pause is usually enough to restore the electronics.
If the cause of the imbalance was improper installation of the washing machine, then the imbalance should be eliminated. To do this, adjust the adjustable legs so that the body stands strictly horizontal.

This is interesting: How to replace a belt on a washing machine: it breaks, flies off, spins

Why does it appear during the spin cycle?

Before you begin to correct the error, you need to find out why the unit cannot evenly distribute the load of the drum on the axis of rotation.

The reasons may be different:

Excessive load of laundry. If a lot of things are placed in the drum and their quantity exceeds the permissible norm, the machine cannot even them out according to the volume of the drum before spinning.
Placement of products of varying quality into the drum. Different fabrics absorb and release water differently, so under equal spin conditions, an imbalance occurs in the drum and, as a result, the work stops.
Insufficient weight of laundry. Underload also has a negative effect on balancing, as does overload. A small thing cannot create equal pressure on all the walls of the drum.
Control unit malfunction. Electronics in some cases can create confusion in the operation of sensors. This reason is not associated with a serious defect and can be easily eliminated.
Tilt of the machine body. If the device has just been installed or has been moved recently, it is quite possible that it was installed unevenly. Even a slight slope can lead to uneven load on the drum on the axis of rotation.

All of the above reasons are not related to equipment failure, but to its operation. That is why you can eliminate them yourself; the main thing is to correctly understand why the device refuses to gain momentum.

However, in some cases, the ue error still signals a more serious problem. It could be:

malfunction of the entire microcircuit (control board) or just the relay on it;
depressurization of the seal, natural wear and destruction of the bearing;
stretching, delamination or rupture of the drive belt in the machine;
failure of one, several or all shock absorbers;
breakdown of the tachogenerator, which controls the drum speed;
wear on the motor brushes, which prevents the rotor from rotating.

How to avoid the error

To avoid this error, you should not neglect other machine malfunctions and repair the equipment in a timely manner. It is worth loading the laundry into the machine carefully:

Bed linen should not lie together with small items. If they are mixed, the machine will not be able to separate the items on its own.
For different types of fabrics, special modes are allocated that cannot be combined. Each fabric absorbs water in proportional amounts and weighs heavier or lighter. This causes imbalance in the drum.
Monitor the amount of clothing loaded: underweight or overweight is also critical in this matter.

On a note! The machine is sometimes placed on an uneven surface, which causes the center of gravity to shift, making it unable to evenly distribute the laundry inside. Before installation, you need to make sure that this problem does not exist and only then launch it.

Call the master

If everything is fine with loading the drum, the machine itself is absolutely level, and the ue error does not disappear, then technical assistance is needed. The total cost of repairs depends on the complexity of fixing the damage. The price of new components is added to this amount.

The list of works that are best entrusted to a professional includes:

Replacement of the relay or the entire control board. The cost of work excluding new parts and microcircuits is from 2,400 rubles.
Installing a new oil seal and replacing the bearing. The services of a master for such a volume of repairs are estimated at 4,000 rubles.
Replacing a stretched or torn drive belt. The cost of work starts from 1100 rubles.
Reinstallation of all shock absorbers (even if only one has failed). Specialist services are estimated at 2,600 rubles.
Removing the old and installing a new tachometer. The cost of installation work starts from 2400 rubles.
Replacing graphite motor brushes that create an electromagnetic field. The work of a master is estimated at 1,700 rubles.

You can find specialists who repair washing machines in large service centers and workshops. Their addresses and telephone numbers are available in directories and advertisements.

An official organization always has the necessary permits and provides documents that guarantee the quality of the result.

By trusting a stranger who does not provide official documents (a certificate of work performed, a warranty card, a cash or sales receipt), there is a risk of becoming a victim of fraud or poor-quality repairs.

How to prevent the problem from occurring?

Some problems cannot be prevented by the user of household appliances .
For example, bearing wear is a natural process that begins in almost all old cars of any brand. However, other problems that lead to the ue error are completely preventable. In order for the washing machine to spin clothes without fail, you must follow the operating instructions.

The amount of laundry placed in the drum must correspond to the prescribed norm or be 1/3 less than it.

After a forced relocation of the device, do not allow its body to tilt . To do this, you need to adjust the legs so that they level the unit in an even horizontal position. In this case, the washing machine must stand stable.