Samsung Washer 4C or 4E Error: What It Means and How to Fix It

A 4C or 4E code on a Samsung washing machine means the washer isn’t getting enough water, or isn’t getting it fast enough. Samsung lists it as a water supply error. Older models show 4E, newer models show 4C, and the meaning is the same.

What to check yourself

1. Are both taps fully open? Check the hot and cold valves behind the washer. After renovations or a plumbing repair they are often left partly closed.
2. Kinked or crushed hoses. Pull the washer out carefully and make sure the inlet hoses aren’t bent behind the machine.
3. Clogged inlet screens. Turn off the water, disconnect the hoses at the back of the washer, and rinse the small mesh filters inside the inlets. Sediment builds up here over time. Samsung recommends cleaning them about twice a year.
4. Frozen lines. If the washer is in an unheated garage or laneway suite, the supply lines can freeze in winter.
5. Detergent drawer. A drawer packed with hardened detergent can also cause fill problems. Remove it and clean it.

After checking, turn the washer off for a minute, turn it back on and run a short cycle.

When it’s a repair

If the water supply is fine and 4C keeps coming back, the usual causes are a failed water inlet valve (the solenoid no longer opens), a faulty water level (pressure) sensor, or a wiring or control board fault. These need testing with a meter and are best left to a technician.

Other Samsung washer codes you may see

• 5C / 5E: drain error. The washer can’t drain the water.
• 3C / 3E: motor error.
• DC / dE / dC: door error. The door isn’t closed or the lock isn’t engaging.
• UE / Ub: unbalanced load.

How we diagnose 4C

1. Check water pressure at the washer with the taps fully open.
2. Clean the inlet screens and check the hoses.
3. Test the inlet valve coils for power and resistance.
4. Check the water level sensor and its hose.
5. Check the wiring and the control board if the valve isn’t getting power.

How to prevent 4C errors

• Clean the inlet screens about twice a year, as Samsung recommends.
• Replace old rubber inlet hoses every few years. Braided stainless hoses last longer.
• Clean the detergent drawer regularly and use HE detergent.
• In an unheated garage, protect the supply lines from freezing in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Is 4C the same as 4E?

Yes. 4E is the older code, 4C is used on newer models. Both mean a water supply problem.

Can low water pressure in my building cause 4C?

Yes. In some condos and older homes pressure drops at busy times. If other taps are weak too, the issue may be the building supply, not the washer.

Is it worth repairing?

An inlet valve is a common, affordable repair. It’s almost always worth fixing.

Need help?

Doctor Appliance repairs Samsung washers across Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver and Metro Vancouver. Call 604-729-0499 or leave a request online. See also: Samsung appliance repair.