Samsung 4C washing machine: what it means & what to check

What 4C actually means

The machine isn't getting water in fast enough, so it has stopped and is telling you it can't fill.

Samsung washing machines watch the water level rise once the inlet valves open at the start of the cycle. If the level hasn't come up to where it should be within the time allowed, the machine abandons the fill and shows this code rather than carrying on with a dry drum. Most of the time the cause is on the supply side rather than inside the machine.

What 4C 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, 4C usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
4C flashing on the display

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

Water supply tap turned off or only part open
Kinked or trapped fill hose behind the machine
Low water pressure, or the mains water off in the property
Blocked mesh filter in the fill hose where it screws onto the tap
Faulty inlet water valve on the machine — we often find one of the two valve coils has gone open circuit, so no water is let through even though everything else looks fine

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.

Check the water tap feeding the machine is fully open, and that you have water at nearby cold taps.
Look behind the machine and make sure the fill hose isn't kinked, crushed against the wall or trapped.
Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small mesh filter in the connector for grit or scale, then refit it hand-tight and turn the water back on.
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and restart the cycle — this clears the code so you can see whether it comes straight back.

Common questions about Samsung 4C

What does 4C mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine isn't getting water in fast enough, so it has stopped and is telling you it can't fill. Samsung washing machines watch the water level rise once the inlet valves open at the start of the cycle. If the level hasn't come up to where it should be within the time allowed, the machine abandons the fill and shows this code rather than carrying on with a dry drum. Most of the time the cause is on the supply side rather than inside the machine.

Can I fix Samsung 4C myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Check the water tap feeding the machine is fully open, and that you have water at nearby cold taps.
Look behind the machine and make sure the fill hose isn't kinked, crushed against the wall or trapped.
Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small mesh filter in the connector for grit or scale, then refit it hand-tight and turn the water back on.
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and restart the cycle — this clears the code so you can see whether it comes straight back.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Samsung 4C?

£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 4C?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 4C error — washing machine