Samsung Washer UE or UB Error: Balance the Load and Stop It Coming Back

UE, UB or Ub on a Samsung washer all mean the same thing: during the spin the drum was off balance, so the machine slowed down or stopped rather than shake itself apart. Depending on the model, the display reads UE, uE, UB, Ub or E4. The cycle is usually stuck near the end, with the laundry still wet.

Most of the time the fix is the load, not the machine. What matters is whether it happens with one load or with every load. One load: redistribute and move on. Every load, even small mixed ones: the washer's footing or its suspension is the problem. LG washers show the same fault as UE, see LG washer UE error.

Start With These 30-Second Checks

1. 1Look at what is in the drum. A single bath mat, a comforter, a pair of jeans or one wet sneaker is the classic cause.
2. 2Check whether the drum is packed tight or holds only a couple of items. Both extremes balance badly.
3. 3Put your hands on two opposite top corners of the washer and push diagonally. If it rocks, a foot is not on the floor.
4. 4If the washer was delivered or moved recently, look at the back for transit bolts still in place. They make every spin shake violently.

1. Redistribute the Load

This clears most UE and UB codes in two minutes.

1. 1Wait for the drum to stop and the door to unlock. Never force the door.
2. 2Take the laundry out and untangle it. Sheets wrapped around other items make one heavy lump.
3. 3Put it back spread evenly around the drum. For a single heavy item, add two or three towels to balance it.
4. 4Close the door and run Rinse and Spin, or Spin only, at a medium speed to finish the cycle. If it bangs or grinds, stop it and unplug it.

2. Load for Balance Next Time

Drums balance best when they are about two thirds full with a mix of large and small items.

1. 1Wash bath mats, comforters and rugs with a few towels, never on their own.
2. 2Do not overload a front loader: you should be able to fit a hand above the laundry.
3. 3Mix heavy and light items instead of putting all the jeans in one load.
4. 4Use the Bedding or Bulky program for comforters; it spins them more gently.

3. Level the Washer

A washer that rocks, even slightly, reads its own wobble as an unbalanced load.

1. 1Unplug the washer and turn off the water taps before you move it. Get a helper for any step that tips it, such as a stiff front foot or a pad going under.
2. 2If you use anti-vibration pads, a board on a springy floor or a pedestal, fit it first with your helper and level the pedestal, then level the washer on top.
3. 3Lay a spirit level across the top, side to side and then front to back.
4. 4Loosen the lock nut on each foot with a wrench, screw the foot in or out until the washer is level and all four feet press on the floor, then tighten the lock nut up against the body.
5. 5Push diagonally on the top corners again. If nothing rocks, plug the washer back in and turn the taps back on.

4. Remove Leftover Shipping Bolts

New front loaders ship with long bolts through the back panel that lock the drum for transport. If the installer left them in, every spin shakes the machine and UB is almost guaranteed.

1. 1Unplug the washer and turn off the water taps.
2. 2Look at the back panel for large bolts with plastic spacers, usually three or four of them.
3. 3Remove them with the wrench that came with the washer, keep the bolts and spacers for your next move, and press the supplied plastic caps into the holes.
4. 4Turn the taps back on, plug the washer back in and run a spin with a few wet towels to check. If it bangs or grinds, stop it and unplug it.

5. Worn Suspension, When It Happens With Every Load

If UE or UB appears even with small, mixed loads on a level washer, the parts that hold the drum steady may be worn: suspension rods on top loaders, shock absorbers on front loaders.

1. 1Unplug the washer. With the drum empty and still, push down on it and let go. It should settle, not bounce several times.
2. 2Plug the washer back in and listen during a spin for banging or knocking that gets worse over weeks. If it bangs hard or grinds, stop it and unplug it.
3. 3Replacement rods or shock absorbers usually cost roughly $25 to $90 for a set, depending on the model.
4. 4Fitting them means removing panels and taking the drum's weight, so most owners book a technician; a service call is typically $100 to $200 before parts.

6. When to Call a Pro

Book a technician if any of these apply.

1. 1UE or UB appears with every load after leveling and removing any shipping bolts.
2. 2You hear grinding or loud banging during the spin. Stop the washer and unplug it.
3. 3The drum sits visibly lower on one side.
4. 4The washer is under warranty; suspension work is a technician's job anyway.