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Severity: Minor

Samsung Washing Machine Error UE – Causes & Fix

Samsung's out-of-balance alert: the laundry is lumped on one side, so the washer limits or skips the spin.

At a glance

Severity: 1/5 – Minor1/5

Severity: Minor

Meaning
Unbalanced Load – Samsung Won't Finish the Spin
Typical repair cost
$0–$400
DIY difficulty
Very easy

Samsung washers weigh the wet load while the drum speeds up. If the motor current and vibration readings show the weight is lopsided, the washer stops, tumbles or refills to shuffle the clothes, and tries again. After several failed attempts it gives up on a full-speed spin and shows UE (Ub on older models, UL or Ur on some newer top-loaders). On top-loaders the rebalancing adds water and extra minutes, which is why the remaining time can keep climbing. The cause is nearly always the load itself or how the washer stands, not a broken part.

How it looks on the display

Samsung Washing Machine display showing error UE

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
Current front-load and top-load modelsUEStandard unbalance alert; also reported in the SmartThings app on Wi-Fi models.
Older Samsung washersUbEarlier label for the same condition; some displays show UB in capitals.
Some newer top-loadersUL / UrSame unbalance logic; these models may add water and re-agitate several times before stopping.

Symptoms

  • Cycle ends with UE and laundry still dripping
  • Remaining time keeps going up on a top-loader as it refills and re-agitates
  • Loud banging against the cabinet at the start of spin
  • Washer shifts across the floor or shakes a stacked dryer
  • UE only with a comforter, rug, pet bed or a few towels

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. One bulky or water-heavy item (comforter, bath mat, pet bed) or a load that is too small to balance 36%
  2. Sheets or a duvet cover wrapping the rest of the load into one ball 17%
  3. Washer not level, a foot loose, or standing on a flexing wood floor or pedestal 16%
  4. Worn suspension rods (top-loaders) or dampers/springs (front-loaders) 13%
  5. Shipping bolts left in the back of a newly installed front-loader 8%
  6. Overloaded drum – clothes can't move to rebalance 6%
  7. Vibration sensor, hall sensor or control fault giving false readings 4%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: UE1Pause and loosen the load2Pair up the heavy items3Use the Bedding cycle for big items4Level and lock the feet5Remove shipping bolts on a newfront-loader6Check the suspension

  1. Pause and loosen the load

    Press Start/Pause, wait for the lock to click open, and pull the load apart. Check inside duvet covers and pillowcases – small items rolled up inside them are a classic cause.

  2. Pair up the heavy items

    Add two or three towels next to a lone bath mat or pair of jeans, or wash rugs in pairs. On a top-loader, spread items evenly around the agitator or wash plate instead of dropping them in one spot.

  3. Use the Bedding cycle for big items

    Wash one comforter at a time on Bedding (or Bulky), which uses a gentler spin. Water-resistant covers and pet beds trap water in one pocket; check the care label before putting them in a Samsung top-loader.

  4. Level and lock the feet

    Put a level across the top in both directions. Turn the feet to adjust, then tighten the lock nuts up against the cabinet so the washer can't rock when you press diagonally on the corners.

    Tools: Pliers

  5. Remove shipping bolts on a new front-loader

    Samsung front-loaders arrive with bolts in the back panel that clamp the tub for transport. If they're still in, every spin will slam and trigger UE; take them out with the supplied wrench and fit the plastic caps.

    Tools: Pliers

  6. Check the suspension

    With the washer empty and unplugged, push the tub down and let go. On a top-loader it should settle smoothly and hang centered; a tub that leans to one side or knocks the cabinet points to a stretched or broken suspension rod.

    Tools: Flashlight

How to reset UE

  1. Pause the cycle and wait until the door or lid unlocks.
  2. Rearrange or add laundry so the weight is spread out.
  3. Select Rinse+Spin (or Spin only) and press Start to finish the wet load.
  4. UE clears once a spin completes; if it shows with a mixed normal load, power off, unplug for a minute and recheck leveling.

Where the parts are

Washing machine: drain filter, pump and door lock – UE12345678
Washing machine: drain filter, pump and door lock
  1. 1Door lock
  2. 2Water inlet valve
  3. 3Water level sensor
  4. 4Filter
  5. 5Drain pump
  6. 6Motor
  7. 7Heating element
  8. 8Temperature sensor

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Rearrange load, add towels, level the washer Yes $0
Anti-vibration pads Yes $20–$45
Top-loader suspension rod kit (DIY) Yes $35–$80
Suspension rods or dampers replaced by a technician No $180–$350
Hall sensor or control board diagnosis No $150–$400

Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.

When to call a technician

Book a technician if UE keeps appearing with a medium mixed load on a level floor, or if the tub hangs crooked, bangs the cabinet or the drum wobbles on its bearing. Stop using a top-loader that knocks the lid or cabinet violently during spin until it has been checked.

Frequently asked questions

Is my Samsung top-loader part of the vibration recall?

Samsung and the CPSC recalled certain top-load washers because the top could detach during high-speed spin with bedding, water-resistant or bulky items. Look up your model and serial number on the CPSC recall page or Samsung's recall site; affected owners were offered a free repair or other remedies.

Why does the time remaining keep increasing on my top-loader?

When the washer senses an unbalanced load it adds water and agitates to redistribute the clothes, then tries to spin again. Each attempt adds minutes; if the attempts fail, UE appears.

Can a pedestal or stacked dryer cause UE?

Yes. A pedestal that isn't level, or a stack that sways, amplifies every wobble. Level the pedestal first, then the washer on top of it, and make sure the stacking kit is fitted.

Is it safe to keep running loads that show UE?

Occasional UE is harmless, but repeated hard banging wears the suspension and bearings. Fix the load or leveling rather than restarting the same lopsided load again and again.

Sources