Reset Your Samsung Washer in Three Steps
A Samsung washer reset clears error codes, stops a stuck cycle, and restores the machine to factory settings without erasing your saved programs. Most resets take less than a minute and require no tools. The method depends on whether your model has a digital display or mechanical buttons, but both follow the same principle: hold a combination of buttons for 5 to 10 seconds until the display blinks or the lights flash.
A reset is different from a power cycle. Unplugging the washer for 5 minutes drains the control board but does not fully reset it. A button reset goes deeper and clears the error memory entirely. Use a reset when the washer shows an error code, refuses to start, or gets stuck mid-cycle after a power outage or water supply interruption.
Key Takeaways
- Digital-display Samsung washers reset by holding the Start/Pause and Temperature buttons together for 5 to 10 seconds until the display blinks.
- Mechanical-button models reset by holding the Prewash and Temperature buttons together for the same duration.
- A reset clears error codes and stops stuck cycles but does not erase your custom wash programs or settings.
- If the reset does not work, unplug the washer for 5 minutes, then plug it back in and try the button combination again.
- Some error codes require a reset plus a water supply or drain line check before the washer will run normally.
Reset a Digital-Display Samsung Washer
Locate the Start/Pause button and the Temperature button on the control panel. These are the two buttons you will hold simultaneously. Press and hold both buttons at the same time for 5 to 10 seconds without releasing. The display will go blank, flash, or show a series of dashes—this is the sign the reset is working.
Release both buttons and wait 10 seconds. The display should return to normal and show the default cycle (usually Normal Wash). The washer is now reset. If the display does not respond or the error code reappears when ready, the reset did not take. Unplug the washer from the wall outlet, wait 5 minutes, plug it back in, and repeat the button combination.
After a successful reset, run a test cycle with no clothes inside. Set it to Normal Wash with hot water and let it run through a complete cycle. This confirms the washer is responding to commands and draining properly. If it completes without stopping or showing an error, the reset worked.
Reset a Mechanical-Button Samsung Washer
Older Samsung models without a digital display use physical knobs and buttons instead. Find the Prewash button and the Temperature button on the control panel. Press and hold both buttons at the same time for 5 to 10 seconds. You may hear a beep or see the cycle indicator lights flash—this signals the reset is in progress.
Release both buttons and wait 10 seconds for the washer to stabilize. The cycle knob should return to the Off position, and all indicator lights should turn off. If lights stay on or the washer does not respond, unplug it for 5 minutes and try again.
Run a test cycle to confirm the reset worked. Turn the cycle knob to Normal Wash, close the lid, and press Start. Let the washer run through a full cycle with no clothes inside. If it drains and stops normally, the reset was successful.
When a Reset Does Not Fix the Problem
If the error code returns after a reset, or if the washer still will not start, the issue is usually not the control board—it is a sensor, water supply, or drain line. Check the water inlet hoses at the back of the washer. Turn off the water supply valves and look for kinks, cracks, or loose connections. Straighten any kinked hoses and hand-tighten any loose fittings, then turn the water back on and try the reset again.
Next, inspect the drain hose. If it is kinked, pinched, or clogged, the washer will stop mid-cycle or show a drain error. Straighten the hose and run a test cycle. If the washer still fails, the drain pump or filter may be blocked. Consult your user manual for the filter location—most Samsung washers have a small access panel at the bottom front where you can pull out and clean the filter.
If the error code is specific (like UE, OE, or IE), write it down and search your model number plus the error code online. Samsung's support site lists what each code means and what part or connection to check. Some errors require a technician, but many are fixable by clearing a clogged filter or reseating a hose connection.
Power Cycle vs. Button Reset: Which One to Use
A power cycle means unplugging the washer for 5 minutes and plugging it back in. This drains the control board's temporary memory and can fix minor glitches like a frozen display or a cycle that will not start. Use a power cycle first if the washer is unresponsive but not showing an error code.
A button reset is stronger and clears the error memory completely. Use it when an error code appears, when the washer shows the same error after a power cycle, or when a cycle gets stuck and will not respond to the Start/Pause button. A button reset does not erase your custom programs—it only clears temporary faults.
If you perform a button reset and the problem returns within a few hours, the fault is not temporary. At that point, check the water supply, drain line, and filter as described above, or contact a Samsung service center.
What a Reset Does and Does Not Do
A reset clears error codes, stops a stuck cycle, and restores the washer to its default state. It does not erase your custom wash programs, saved settings, or cycle history. If you have created a custom cycle with specific water temperature, spin speed, or soak time, that program will still be there after a reset.
A reset also does not fix mechanical problems. If the drum is not spinning, the water is not filling, or the washer is leaking, a reset will not solve it. Those issues require a technician or a replacement part. A reset is only for clearing the control board's error memory and getting the washer to respond to commands again.
After a reset, the washer will default to the Normal Wash cycle with warm water and medium spin speed. You can change these settings when ready, and the washer will remember your choice for the next load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reset erase my custom wash programs?
No. A reset clears error codes and temporary faults but does not erase custom programs, saved settings, or cycle history. Your custom cycles will still be available after the reset is complete.
How long does a reset take?
The button combination takes 5 to 10 seconds to perform. The washer then needs 10 seconds to stabilize. The entire process takes about 30 seconds from start to finish.
What if the washer shows the same error code after I reset it?
The error is likely not a temporary fault. Check the water inlet hoses for kinks or loose connections, inspect the drain hose for clogs, and clean the drain filter if your model has one. If those are clear, the issue is probably a faulty sensor or pump, which requires a technician.
Can I reset the washer while it is in the middle of a cycle?
Yes. If a cycle is stuck and will not respond to the Start/Pause button, hold the reset button combination to stop it. The washer will drain any water inside and return to the Off state. You can then start a new cycle or troubleshoot the problem.
Do I need to unplug the washer before I reset it?
No. A button reset works while the washer is plugged in. Unplugging is only necessary if the button reset does not work the first time—unplug for 5 minutes, then plug back in and try the buttons again.