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Samsung Washer Error Code UB

The load is unbalanced and the washer cannot spin safely.

Also shown as: UE, U6, Ur, 1 Ub 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
Laundry clumped on one side of the drumMost common
A single heavy item, such as a bath mat or blanket, on its ownCommon
A washer that is not level, or a foot that has wound itself looseCommon
Worn suspension rods or dampers on an older machineLess common — service job

What to try, easiest first

  1. Pause the cycle, open the door, and spread the load out evenly around the drum. Add a couple of similar items if you are washing one heavy piece alone.
  2. Press down on each corner of the washer — it should not rock. Adjust the feet until it sits solid on the floor.
  3. Restart and let it try to spin again. Two or three retries are normal before it gives up.
  4. If it still will not spin after rebalancing, run the calibration routine in your manual with an empty drum. A repeat code after calibration points to suspension wear.

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 drum bangs violently even with a balanced load, the washer walks across the floor, or the code returns after calibration.

Difficulty, time and cost

DifficultyEasy
Typical DIY time10–20 minutes (editorial estimate, not a quoted time)
Part / job cost$0 for rebalancing; professional suspension work is typically $200–$430. Professional range from the Orange County price survey; rebalancing and levelling cost nothing and fix most cases. Prices vary by model and area — treat every figure as an estimate, not a quote.

Model notes and limits

UB is the current display; UE is the same fault on other models, and Ur means the washer is still retrying to rebalance rather than having failed. Front-load and top-load models both use these codes.

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

Why does one bath mat cause this code?

One heavy wet item cannot spread around the drum, so the spin sensor stops the drum to protect the bearings. Wash heavy items with a few similar pieces.

The washer is new and already shows this code. Is it faulty?

First check the shipping bolts were removed and the feet are level — both are common on new installs and both are covered in the manual.

Can I just use a lower spin speed forever?

Lower spin reduces the symptom but does not fix a worn suspension or an unlevel machine. Fix the cause, then use normal spin.

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.