Start a wash cycle on your Samsung washer
Turn on the washer using the power button or dial on the front panel. Load your clothes into the drum — do not overstuff, as water and detergent need to reach all fabrics. Close the door firmly until you hear it latch.
Select a cycle by turning the cycle dial or pressing the cycle buttons on the control panel. Most Samsung washers have a default cycle (usually Normal or Auto) highlighted when you power on. Once you choose a cycle, the washer displays the estimated wash time on the screen. Press Start or the play button to begin. The door will lock automatically, and water will begin filling.
The washer will run through its stages — fill, wash, rinse, spin — without your input unless you pause it. Do not open the door during a cycle; most Samsung models will not unlock until the cycle ends or you press Pause.
Key Takeaways
- Load clothes loosely, add detergent to the dispenser drawer (not directly into the drum), and select a cycle before pressing Start.
- Normal and Auto cycles work for most everyday loads; use Delicate for fragile items and Heavy Duty for heavily soiled clothes.
- Temperature, spin speed, and water level can be adjusted after you select a cycle but before you press Start.
- If the washer will not drain or spin, check that the drain hose is not kinked and that the filter is not clogged with lint or debris.
- Samsung washers with Wi-Fi can be controlled and monitored from your phone using the SmartThings app, though the physical controls work independently.
Where to put detergent and fabric softener
Open the detergent dispenser drawer at the top left of the control panel (the location varies slightly by model, but it is always on the front). The drawer has separate compartments labeled for detergent, fabric softener, and sometimes bleach.
Pour liquid detergent into the main wash compartment — the largest section — up to the fill line. If you use powder detergent, place it directly into the drum before loading clothes, not in the drawer. Add fabric softener to the fabric softener compartment if you want it; the washer will release it during the rinse cycle.
Do not overfill the detergent compartment. Too much detergent leaves residue on clothes and can damage the machine over time. Most loads need only one to two tablespoons of liquid detergent, depending on load size and soil level. Close the drawer firmly after adding products.
Adjust temperature, water level, and spin speed
After selecting a cycle, you can change settings before pressing Start. Press the Temperature button to choose cold, warm, or hot water. Cold water is standard for most loads and saves energy; use warm or hot only for heavily soiled items or whites.
Press the Water Level button to set how much water the washer uses. Auto or Normal is the default and works for most loads. Select More Water if clothes are heavily soiled or the load is large; select Less Water for lightly soiled items or small loads. Some Samsung models adjust water level automatically based on the weight of clothes in the drum.
Press Spin Speed to choose how fast the drum spins during the final spin cycle. Higher speeds remove more water and shorten drying time but can wrinkle delicate fabrics. Lower speeds are gentler on clothes. The default spin speed is usually appropriate for the cycle you selected.
Common Samsung washer cycles and when to use them
Normal is the standard cycle for everyday loads of mixed fabrics. It uses warm water, a moderate wash time, and a standard spin speed. Use this for towels, sheets, and everyday clothing.
Auto (also called Smart Wash on some models) detects the weight and fabric type of your load and adjusts water, time, and temperature automatically. It is a good choice if you are unsure which cycle to pick.
Delicate uses cool water, a short wash time, and a slow spin to protect fragile items like lingerie, silk, and lace. Place delicate items in a mesh wash bag for extra protection.
Heavy Duty uses hot water, a longer wash time, and a faster spin for heavily soiled work clothes, towels, and bedding. It uses more water and detergent than Normal.
Quick Wash (or Speed Wash) completes a light wash in 15 to 30 minutes. Use it for lightly soiled clothes or when you need a fast turnaround. It uses less water and detergent than Normal.
Bedding is designed for sheets, pillowcases, and comforters. It uses extra water and a longer wash time to reach all fibers in thick fabrics.
Pause, cancel, or restart a cycle
Press Pause to stop the washer mid-cycle. The door will unlock after a few seconds, allowing you to add forgotten items or remove something. Close the door and press Start again to resume the cycle from where it paused.
Press Cancel or Power to stop a cycle completely. The washer will drain any water in the drum and unlock the door. You can then open it and remove clothes. If you cancel a cycle partway through, clothes will be wet and soapy.
If you need to restart a cycle from the beginning, remove all clothes, close the door, select a new cycle, and press Start. The washer will not resume a cancelled cycle; you must choose and start a new one.
Drain the washer if water is stuck inside
If the washer will not drain at the end of a cycle, first check that the drain hose is not kinked or bent. The drain hose should run from the back of the washer down to a sink, laundry tub, or floor drain without sharp bends.
Open the filter access panel at the bottom front of the washer (on most Samsung models). Turn the filter counterclockwise by hand to unscrew it. Water may spill out, so place a towel underneath. Remove lint, coins, and debris from inside the filter and the filter housing. Rinse the filter under running water and screw it back in clockwise until snug.
Close the filter panel and run a Drain cycle if your model has one, or select any cycle and press Start, then when ready press Pause. This will trigger the drain pump without running a full wash. If water still does not drain after cleaning the filter, the drain pump may need service.
Use the SmartThings app to control your washer remotely
Samsung washers with Wi-Fi can be controlled from your phone using the SmartThings app. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, create a Samsung account, and add your washer to the app by scanning the QR code on the back of the machine or selecting it from the list of available devices.
Once connected, you can start, pause, or stop a cycle from your phone, receive notifications when a cycle ends, and view the remaining time. Some models allow you to select a cycle and adjust settings from the app before starting remotely. The physical buttons on the washer always work independently; you do not need the app to run the machine.
If the washer loses Wi-Fi connection, it will continue to run normally using the physical controls. Reconnect it to Wi-Fi through the SmartThings app settings if you want remote control again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open the door while the washer is running?
Most Samsung washers will not unlock the door during a cycle for safety reasons. Press Pause to stop the cycle, and the door will unlock after a few seconds. You can then add or remove items. Close the door and press Start to resume.
What should I do if the washer beeps and shows an error code?
Error codes indicate a specific problem — common ones are dE (door not closing), IE (water not filling), or OE (water not draining). Check the manual or Samsung's support website for your specific code. Most often, the door needs to close fully, the water supply valve needs to be turned on, or the drain hose needs to be unclogged.
How much detergent should I use?
Most liquid detergents require only one to two tablespoons per load. Check the bottle for the recommended amount based on load size and soil level. Using too much detergent leaves residue on clothes and can cause the washer to overflow with suds.
Is it safe to wash towels and delicate clothes together?
No. Towels are heavy and need a Normal or Heavy Duty cycle with hot water and a fast spin. Delicate clothes need a Delicate cycle with cool water and a slow spin. Washing them together will either damage the delicate items or leave towels inadequately cleaned.
Why is my washer leaking from the bottom?
Check that the drain hose is connected securely to the back of the washer and to the drain outlet. If it is loose, tighten the connection. Also check the filter housing for cracks or a loose filter. If the washer leaks during the fill cycle rather than the drain cycle, the inlet hose connection may be loose.