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Samsung Washer Error Code AC

A communication error between the washer's control boards.

Also shown as: AE, AC3, AC4, AC5, AC6, 13E Last verified: 2026-10-30

Safety first. Unplug the washer before opening any panel, touching wiring, or removing a pump filter cover. Turn the water taps off before disconnecting a hose. If water is leaking, turn the taps off first and do not keep running the machine. This page is general information, not professional repair advice.

Most likely causes, in order

CauseHow common
A loose wiring connector between control boards, often after moving the machineCommon
A failed sub-board: sensor board, Wi-Fi board, display board or inverter boardCommon
A failed main control boardLess common — service job

What to try, easiest first

  1. Switch the washer off and unplug it for 2–3 minutes, then plug it back in and restart. This clears a one-off communication glitch.
  2. Check the washer was not recently moved or knocked — a loose connector is the kindest explanation.
  3. If the code returns immediately on every restart, stop. Board-level diagnosis needs a technician with the service manual for your model.

Reset procedure

Soft reset (first try): press Power to switch the washer off, wait about 2–3 minutes, switch it back on and restart the cycle. If the code was a one-off sensor glitch, it often clears here.

Hard reset: switch the washer off, unplug it from the wall outlet (or switch its breaker off) for 2–3 minutes, plug it back in and restart. Never open a panel or touch wiring while it is plugged in.

When to call a technician

Call a technician if the code returns on every restart, the display is dead or frozen, or the washer does nothing at all. Do not swap boards by guessing.

Difficulty, time and cost

DifficultyService job after the reset
Typical DIY time5 minutes for the reset (editorial estimate, not a quoted time)
Part / job cost$100–$200 for a control board part alone. Board part range from the part-cost guide; the exact board depends on the sub-code (AC, AC3, AC4, AC5, AC6) and your model — never order blind. Prices vary by model and area — treat every figure as an estimate, not a quote.

Model notes and limits

AC is the family label; the sub-code narrows it down — AC3 is the drive module, AC4 the Wi-Fi board, AC5 the display board and AC6 the inverter board. Always record the full sub-code before calling service.

Front-load and top-load models, AddWash/FlexWash models, and US versus UK displays can show the same fault differently. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number (on the label inside the door or lid, or on the back of the washer) before ordering a part.

Related codes

Frequently asked questions

What does 'communication error' actually mean?

The washer has several small control boards that talk to each other. This code means one of them stopped answering — a loose wire, or a board that has failed.

The reset cleared it once. Should I still worry?

A single clear after a power cut is usually fine. If it returns even once more, get it checked — intermittent board faults tend to get worse.

Can I find which board failed from the code alone?

Partly. Sub-codes point to a board family, but the exact part still depends on your model number. A technician confirms it before ordering.

Sources

Meanings were cross-checked against at least two of the sources above on 2026-10-30. Wording on this page is original. Samsung is a trademark of Samsung Electronics; this site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Samsung.