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Samsung Washer UB or U6 Error Code: Unbalanced Load Fix

Low urgencyUpdated Checked against Samsung US Support

Also shown or searched as: U6, UE, Ur, 1 Ub, 1U6

On a Samsung washer, UB, U6 and UE mean the load is off balance in the tub, so the washer stops before finishing the cycle. Untangle and spread the laundry evenly, close the door and press Start. Ur is different: the washer is rebalancing on its own and will try the spin again.

What to try first

  1. 1

    Untangle and rearrange the laundry

    Pause the washer, open the door once it unlocks, and pull the items apart. Spread them around the drum so no single clump sits on one side.

  2. 2

    Close the door and press Start

    Samsung's second step is simply to restart the cycle. If the load is now balanced, the washer picks up where it left off.

  3. 3

    Balance heavy items with others

    If one bulky item caused it, add two or three towels of similar weight, or wash two bath mats together. Wash sheets with a few towels too: a fitted sheet can swallow smaller items into one heavy bundle.

  4. 4

    Level the washer

    Press down on opposite corners. If the washer rocks, turn the adjustable feet until all four rest firmly on the floor, and tighten the lock nuts if your model has them.

  5. 5

    Test with a towel load

    Run a short cycle with five or six bath towels. If that spins fine, the earlier load was the problem; if it still shows UB, look at the suspension (call a pro).

Most likely causes of UB

  1. 1. Laundry tangled or bunched on one side (most common)

    Sheets have wrapped around other items, or wet clothes sit in one clump. Samsung's first step is to untangle and rearrange the load.

  2. 2. One heavy or bulky item washed on its own (most common)

    A bath mat, a comforter, a rug or a single pair of jeans soaks up water and swings to one side of the drum.

  3. 3. A load that is too small or packed too tight (common)

    The drum holds only two or three items, or it is packed so full that the laundry cannot shift.

  4. 4. The washer is not level or the floor flexes (common)

    The washer rocks or sits at a visible tilt, or it shakes worse on a wooden floor than it would on concrete.

  5. 5. Worn suspension parts (less common)

    The code comes back with normal, mixed loads, the drum bangs against the cabinet, or the tub sags or swings far when you push it by hand.

When to call a pro

  • UB keeps coming back with ordinary mixed loads on a level washer.
  • The drum knocks against the cabinet, or the washer walks across the floor during spin.
  • The washer never spins at all; Samsung's guide for that problem checks the drain first, then ends in service.
  • You hear grinding or roaring from the drum, which can point to worn bearings.

What a UB repair costs

$100–$350

HomeGuide's 2026 national range for replacing a washer's suspension rods or shock absorbers, parts and labor. Rebalancing a load or leveling the washer costs nothing; a service call alone usually runs $70 to $130.

Source

UB, U6, UE and Ur on a Samsung washer

Samsung lists Ub, U6, Ur, UE, 1 Ub and 1U6 together as the unbalanced load error: the laundry is off balance inside the tub. For all of them except Ur, Samsung says the washer will fail to complete the cycle because of the imbalance.

Ur stands for Unbalanced Load Retry. The washer adds more water, tries to even out the load and then tries the spin again, which makes the cycle longer. Samsung says Ur does not mean anything is wrong with the washer; it only tells you what is happening. If the retry works, the cycle simply finishes.

When dC means unbalanced and when it means the door

dC is the confusing one. Samsung's own list says that on some models dC is an unbalanced load error and on others it is a door error, and points you to the user manual for your model.

Until you can check the manual, the timing is a useful hint (our rule of thumb, not Samsung's): if the door is shut and latched and dC appears as the drum speeds up to spin, rearrange the load first. If it appears before the washer fills, or the door will not lock at all, look at the door and latch. The manual for your model number settles it.

What a technician will check

  • The suspension rods on a top loader, or the shock absorbers and springs on a front loader.
  • Play and noise in the drum bearings.
  • The motor and its speed sensor, which Samsung reports with separate codes such as bE or 6E.
  • The leveling legs and their lock nuts, and whether the floor under the washer is solid.

Questions people ask about Samsung UB

Is it safe to keep using my Samsung washer if it shows UB?

Yes, once you rebalance the load. UB is the washer protecting itself by refusing to spin an uneven load. If it keeps appearing with normal loads, have the suspension checked before you keep running it.

Why does my Samsung washer say UB with a small load?

A few heavy items have nothing to balance against, so they sit on one side of the drum. Add a couple of towels so the weight spreads out, then restart.

How much does it cost to fix a UB error?

Usually nothing, because the load or the leveling is the cause. If the suspension is worn, HomeGuide puts replacing the suspension rods or shock absorbers at $100 to $350 including labor.

Sources