Samsung Washing Machine UE (Ub) Error
Also shown as: UE · Ub · Ur · U6
UE — displayed as Ub on some models — is Samsung's unbalanced-load code: the laundry has gathered unevenly in the drum, so the machine will not risk a high-speed spin. Samsung's Latin guidance is plain about the outcome: with this code, the washer will fail to complete the cycle because the load is unbalanced. It is a load problem, not (usually) a machine problem.
Do not confuse it with Ur, which looks similar but is good news — see the model differences below.
Safety first
- Stop the cycle and let the drum come to a complete stop before opening the door and reaching in.
- Do not try to hold the machine still or lean on it while it attempts to spin.
Common causes
Laundry bunched to one side
Samsung's core instruction: make sure the laundry is spread out evenly, and redistribute the load. A tangled ball of washing pressed against one side of the drum is the classic trigger.
The machine is not level
Samsung: make sure the washing machine is on a flat, stable surface. A machine that can rock will unbalance far more easily.
A single heavy item
Samsung notes that if only one item needs washing, a "check" message will be shown in the display — one wet towel or one pair of jeans cannot balance itself.
Step-by-step checks
- Untangle and rearrange the loadOpen the door and separate the laundry, spreading it evenly around the drum so the weight is distributed on all sides.
- Check the machine is flat and stableConfirm the washer stands on a flat, stable surface and does not rock. Re-level it if it does.
- Close the door and restart the spinSamsung's instruction: close the door and restart the cycle by pushing the Start button.
- For a single-item load, expect the check messageIf you are washing one item only, Samsung says the display will show a check message. The item alone cannot balance; wash it with other pieces so the load can spread.
When to call a technician
If UE appears on every load — including small, evenly spread loads — after the machine has been levelled, the balance sensing itself needs checking, and Samsung's standing instruction for a code that keeps appearing is to contact a local Samsung service center.
Call sooner if the machine bangs, walks across the floor, or makes a new mechanical noise during spin — stop using it until it has been inspected.
Model differences
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| UE / Ub (also U6, 1 Ub) | Unbalanced load. The cycle will not complete until the load is redistributed. |
| Ur | Not a fault. Ur means "Unbalanced Load Retry": the washer is going to add more water, try to balance the load, and try the spin again. It extends the cycle — Samsung says it does not mean there is an issue with your washer. |
| dc (lowercase, some models) | On some models the unbalanced-load code is displayed as dc — which is why our dC page carries Samsung's model table for that confusing code. |
One-page checklist — UE / Ub
- Drum stopped fully before opening
- Laundry untangled and spread evenly
- Machine flat, stable, not rocking
- Door closed, Start pressed to retry spin
- Single-item load washed with other pieces
Official Samsung references
Frequently asked questions
UE and Ub — same thing?
Yes. Samsung lists Ub and UE together: spinning does not work because the load is unbalanced. The letters differ by model.
What does Ur mean? It looks like an error.
Ur is Unbalanced Load Retry — the machine is actively fixing the balance itself by adding water and retrying the spin. Samsung states a Ur code does not mean there is an issue with your washer.
Can one heavy item really cause UE?
Yes. Samsung notes that with only one item to wash, the display shows a check message — a single item has nothing to balance against.
I redistributed the load and UE came straight back.
Re-check that the machine is on a flat, stable surface, as Samsung instructs. If the code keeps appearing across normal loads, Samsung's guidance is to contact a service center.