Samsung 1E washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What 1E actually means

The machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or running the heater dry.

1E (shown as E7 on older Samsung models) is a water level sensor fault. The pressure sensor reads the water level through a thin air hose running from the bottom of the tub; if that reading is missing, stuck or nonsensical, the machine halts the cycle. You'll usually see it early on, either while filling or when it should be deciding it has enough water \u2014 sometimes with the drum apparently full, sometimes nearly empty.

What 1E looks like on a Samsung washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Samsung washing machine, 1E usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Blocked or gummed-up pressure hose \u2014 the commonest cause by far, often sludge from detergent build-up
Split, perished or kinked pressure hose
Hose pushed off its connection at the sensor or the tub
Failed pressure sensor itself
Main control board fault (uncommon)

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up \u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Check the machine is standing level and hasn't been shoved back hard against the wall, which can trap hoses behind it.
Clean the detergent drawer and run a hot maintenance wash if the machine will complete one \u2014 heavy detergent sludge is what silts the pressure hose up in the first place.

Common questions about Samsung 1E

What does 1E mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine can't tell how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or running the heater dry. 1E (shown as E7 on older Samsung models) is a water level sensor fault. The pressure sensor reads the water level through a thin air hose running from the bottom of the tub; if that reading is missing, stuck or nonsensical, the machine halts the cycle. You'll usually see it early on, either while filling or when it should be deciding it has enough water \u2014 sometimes with the drum apparently full, sometimes nearly empty.

Can I fix Samsung 1E myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up \u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Check the machine is standing level and hasn't been shoved back hard against the wall, which can trap hoses behind it.
Clean the detergent drawer and run a hot maintenance wash if the machine will complete one \u2014 heavy detergent sludge is what silts the pressure hose up in the first place.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Samsung 1E?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing 1E?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Samsung washing machine codes

All Samsung fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Samsung 1E error — washing machine