The Samsung washing machine UE error means the machine has detected an unbalanced load in the drum and has stopped the spin for safety reasons. Samsung says this is not a fault, and in most cases you can clear it in a few minutes by rearranging the washing and checking that the machine stands level.
Quick answer: UE means the load is unbalanced, so your Samsung washing machine has stopped spinning to protect itself. It is safe to fix yourself: spread the washing evenly, add two or three towels to a single heavy item, check the machine is level, then spin again. Call a technician only if UE appears with balanced loads.
What Does the Samsung UE Error Code Mean?
UE is an unbalanced load warning shown during the spin. When the washing bunches on one side of the drum, the drum wobbles at speed, so the control board stops the spin instead of shaking the machine. Samsung UK’s UE support page explains that the appliance displays the code when it has detected an unbalanced load and has stopped the spin for safety reasons.
UE, Ur and other versions of the code
Samsung’s UK code table groups UE with Ur under “the load in the drum is unbalanced”. Samsung support pages in other regions also use Ub or UB for the same condition. Whichever version your display shows, the checks below are the same.
What Causes the UE Error?
In most cases the cause is the load rather than the machine. Samsung’s support pages point to these causes, with the load itself at the top of the list:
- Washing bunched on one side of the drum, for example a duvet cover that has swallowed the rest of the load.
- A single large or heavy item such as a bath mat or large towel. Samsung UK says these are unlikely to spin on their own.
- Too much or too little in the drum for the programme you chose. Each programme has its own maximum weight in the user manual.
- The machine not standing on a flat, stable surface, so it rocks when the drum speeds up.
- Weight sensors that need calibrating, which Samsung UK covers as the first fix on its UE page.
- Transit (shipping) bolts still fitted on a newly installed machine. Samsung’s front loader guidance lists this as a cause.
- Water left in the drum, which adds weight on one side. Samsung lists this too, and it can point to a drain problem.
- Worn suspension parts, such as shock absorbers or springs, on an older machine. Repair specialists name this as a less common cause, and it needs a technician.
How Do You Fix the UE Error Yourself?
Try these steps in order. Start with the load, because Samsung treats it as the main cause.
- Unlock the door if it stays locked. Samsung UK says to run a drain programme: select the spin cycle and press the spin option until it shows no spin (a spin symbol with a line, or zero), then start it. The door unlocks when the water has drained.
- Rebalance the load. Open the door, untangle the washing and spread it evenly around the drum. Add or remove items to even out the weight. For a single heavy item, Samsung UK suggests adding two or three extra towels, then restarting the spin.
- Check the programme and weight. Look up the maximum load for the cycle in your user manual. Bulky bedding and heavy items often need their own programme.
- Check the machine is level and stable. Switch off and unplug it first. Rock it gently by the top corners. If it moves, adjust the feet until all four sit firmly on the floor, checking with a spirit level on the top.
- Calibrate the machine. Some Samsung models calibrate themselves when switched on; others need a manual calibration. Empty the drum and clear anything off the top of the machine first. On the models Samsung UK describes, you switch the machine off and on, hold Temp and Delay End for 3 seconds until “Cb” appears, then press Start/Pause. The drum turns both ways for about 3 minutes and shows “0” when it finishes. Button combinations vary by model, so check your manual.
- New machine? Check the transit bolts. If the machine was installed recently and shakes violently, check the back panel to confirm that the transit bolts were removed, as described in your installation guide.
Safety: Switch off and unplug the machine before you move it, adjust the feet or touch any hose or filter. Never open the door by force while it is locked or water is in the drum. Stop at the load, levelling and calibration steps. Do not remove panels or try to replace shock absorbers, springs or bearings yourself: that needs Samsung’s service team or a qualified appliance technician.
When Should You Call an Engineer?
Call for a repair if UE keeps appearing with a normal, mixed load after you have rebalanced, levelled and calibrated the machine. That pattern suggests a mechanical or sensor problem rather than a loading one. Samsung’s support pages direct unresolved cases to Samsung Support, where you can book a repair. Other warning signs include:
- Loud knocking or banging during the spin, even with a light load.
- The machine still walks or rocks during the spin after you have levelled it.
- Water stays in the drum after a drain programme.
- A grinding or rumbling noise as the drum turns.
Have the model number ready when you call; it is on the label inside the door or on the back of the machine. If the machine is under warranty, check the terms before booking an independent repairer.
Which Loads Trigger the UE Error Most Often?
The rule of thumb is that one heavy item alone, or a load that clumps into one ball, is the usual trigger. This table sums up what to do.
| Situation | Why it causes UE | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| One bath mat or large towel | All the weight sits on one side | Add 2 or 3 towels and spin again |
| Duvet cover full of smaller items | Load clumps into one ball | Untangle, fasten the cover, spread items out |
| Very small load | Too little to spread evenly | Add a few similar items |
| Overloaded drum | Washing cannot move to balance | Remove items to the programme limit in the manual |
| Machine rocks on the floor | Movement looks like an unbalanced load | Level the feet with a spirit level |
| New installation shakes hard | Transit bolts may still be fitted | Check the bolts were removed |
| UE with every normal load | Possible sensor or suspension fault | Calibrate, then book a technician |
How Can You Stop the UE Error Coming Back?
The best prevention is a mixed load: wash large and small items together and keep within the weight limit for the programme.
- Wash heavy single items, such as bath mats, with two or three towels.
- Fasten duvet covers and pillowcases so smaller items cannot collect inside them.
- Check the machine is still level after cleaning behind it or moving it.
- Keep the top of the machine clear, especially during calibration.
Each repeated spin uses a little more electricity, and a full rewash uses much more. To put a figure on it, enter your machine’s wattage and your unit rate into our electricity cost calculator. You can see how we source our figures on how our calculators work, and find more tools in our home calculators hub.
Samsung Washing Machine Ue Error FAQs
Is the UE error a fault on a Samsung washing machine?
Usually not. Samsung UK says UE is not a fault: the machine has detected an unbalanced load and stopped the spin for safety. Rebalancing the washing and checking the machine is level clears it in most cases.
How do I get my Samsung washing machine door open after a UE error?
Run a drain programme. Select the spin cycle, set the spin option to no spin (a spin symbol with a line, or zero) and start it. Once the water has drained, the door unlocks and you can rearrange the load.
Why does my Samsung washer show UE with a small load?
A very small or single item load cannot spread evenly around the drum, so the weight sits on one side. Samsung UK suggests adding two or three towels to a single heavy item, then running the spin again.
How do I calibrate a Samsung washing machine?
Empty the drum and clear the top of the machine. On the models Samsung UK describes, switch off and on, hold Temp and Delay End for 3 seconds until Cb appears, then press Start/Pause. Other models differ, so check your manual.
Is UE the same as Ub or Ur?
Yes, they all relate to an unbalanced load. Samsung’s UK code table groups UE with Ur, and Samsung pages in other regions use Ub or UB. The fix is the same: rebalance the load, level the machine and spin again.
Can an uneven floor cause the Samsung UE error?
Yes. Samsung asks you to make sure the machine stands on a flat, stable surface before anything else. If it rocks, unplug it and adjust the feet until all four touch the floor firmly, checking with a spirit level.
Checked October 2026. Sources: Samsung UK: My Samsung washing machine is showing a UE code during a spin cycle, Samsung UK: What do the codes on my washing machine mean?, Samsung Hong Kong: Front loader displays a UE or DC error code, Samsung India: How to fix UE / UB error.
