Samsung washer — Error Code UR

What it means

The UR (Unbalanced Load) error code on a Samsung washer indicates that the machine's control board has detected excessive tub vibration or erratic motor RPMs during the spin cycle ramp-up. The Hall sensor (rotor position sensor) on the motor stator monitors rotational speed. If a heavy, tangled, or off-center load causes the tub to wobble, the Hall sensor detects the RPM fluctuation and flags the main control board. The washer will typically attempt to self-correct by filling with a small amount of water and agitating to redistribute the clothes. If it fails after several attempts, it aborts the spin cycle and displays the UR code to prevent mechanical damage to the tub, bearings, and suspension system. While often a simple loading issue, persistent UR codes on perfectly balanced or empty loads point to mechanical failures like worn suspension rods (top loaders), degraded shock absorbers (front loaders), a loose tub nut, or a failing Hall sensor.

Likely Causes

1. 1
   Uneven or Tangled Load

   Heavy items like blankets or towels clumping on one side of the drum cause severe centrifugal imbalance during the spin cycle.
2. 2
   Unlevel Washer Chassis

   If the leveling legs are not locked firmly to the floor, the entire chassis will sway, amplifying normal tub vibrations and triggering the Hall sensor.
3. 3
   Worn Suspension Rods or Shock Absorbers

   Top loaders use four suspension rods; front loaders use shock absorbers. When the friction dampers wear out, they allow excessive tub excursion during spin ramp-up.
4. 4
   Faulty Hall Sensor

   A failing rotor position sensor can send erratic RPM data to the main control board, falsely indicating an unbalanced load even when the tub is spinning smoothly.
5. 5
   Fractured Spider Arm Assembly

   On front loaders, a cracked drum spider arm allows the inner stainless basket to wobble independently of the outer tub and motor stator, causing severe mechanical imbalance.

How to clear / reset

To clear the UR error code temporarily, press the Pause/Play button to halt the cycle. Open the door or lid, manually untangle the clothes, and distribute the weight evenly around the agitator or drum. Close the door and press Start to resume the spin cycle. If the code persists, power the washer off, unplug it for 3 minutes to reset the main control board, and plug it back in. If you recently moved the washer, you must run the Calibration Mode (usually accessed by holding Temp and Delay End, then pressing Start) so the control board can relearn the empty tub weight. If the code returns on empty loads, a mechanical repair is required.

Common replacement parts

FAQs