Samsung Washer Ub / UE Error Code
On Samsung washers, Ub, UE, U6, 1 Ub and 1U6 all mean the same thing: an unbalanced load. The laundry has bunched up on one side of the drum, so the washer stops before a high-speed spin. It's usually something you can fix in a minute.
| Brand / appliance | Samsung washers (front-load and top-load) |
|---|---|
| Codes | Ub, UE, U6, 1 Ub, 1U6 (and Ur, which is only a status message) |
| Meaning | Unbalanced load |
| Try yourself first? | Yes: rearrange the load, check the washer is level |
What Ub and UE mean on a Samsung washer
Samsung lists Ub, UE, U6, 1 Ub and 1U6 as its unbalanced load error: the load is unevenly spread in the tub, and the washer won't finish the cycle until that's corrected. Ur is different. It means "unbalanced load retry": the washer is adding water, trying to rebalance and then spinning again. Samsung notes that Ur doesn't mean anything is wrong; the cycle just takes longer.
One model difference to know: on some Samsung models, dC is also an unbalanced load code, while on others dC is a door error. Your owner's manual will say which applies. (See Samsung washer dC / dE door codes.)
Common causes
- One heavy or bulky item, like a bath mat, comforter or a pair of jeans, balled up on one side.
- Sheets and towels tangled into a lump.
- A very small load, or an overloaded tub.
- The washer isn't level, or one foot isn't touching the floor.
- On a newly installed front-loader, shipping bolts that were never removed.
Safety: wait for the drum to stop completely and the door to unlock before reaching in. Never force a locked door open.
Safe things to try first
- Rearrange the load. Untangle the laundry and spread it evenly around the drum, then close the door and press Start. This is Samsung's first fix.
- Balance heavy items. Don't wash one bulky item alone; add a couple of towels. If the tub is packed, take some items out.
- Check that it's level. Put a level on top of the washer and make sure all four feet sit firmly on the floor. Adjust the front feet and tighten their lock nuts.
- New washer? Check that the shipping bolts on the back were removed during installation.
- Run calibration if your model has it. Samsung washers have a calibration mode (the display shows Cb or C6) that recalibrates weight detection. It only works with the washer completely empty; the button combination is in your manual.
When to call a technician
If the code keeps coming back with a normal, evenly spread load, or the washer bangs, walks or shakes hard during spin even when it's level, something mechanical may be worn, such as the suspension or shock absorbers. That needs a technician. The same goes for a washer that shows Ub even when it's empty.
Questions about Samsung Ub and UE codes
Is Ub the same as UE on a Samsung washer?
Yes. Samsung groups Ub, UE, U6, 1 Ub and 1U6 together as the unbalanced load error. Which one you see depends on the model and display.
What about UL on a Samsung washer?
UL is not on Samsung's published list of washer error codes, so we can't say for certain what it means on your model. In Samsung's technician service mode on some models, UL is just a door lock status reading meaning "unlocked," not a fault. Check your owner's manual for your exact model number, or call us with the model and we'll look it up.
My washer shows Ur. Is it broken?
No. Samsung says Ur means the washer is retrying: it adds water, rebalances the load and spins again. The cycle takes longer, but it isn't a fault.
Does an unbalanced load code damage the washer?
The code is there to protect the washer: it stops the high-speed spin before an off-balance drum can shake the machine hard. An occasional code is normal with bulky items. A code on nearly every load is worth having checked.