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

What 4E actually means

The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it allows, so it's stopped and flagged a fill problem.

Samsung gives the drum ten minutes to reach the water level it expects, judged by the pressure sensor. If the level never gets there he a rise in the sensor reading early on, the cycle halts with 4E (shown as E1 on older models). Pressing Start/Pause clears it and the machine will try to fill again, but if the underlying cause is still there it will come straight back.

What 4E 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, 4E 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
4E 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 tap turned off, partly closed, or poor mains pressure
Kinked or trapped fill hose behind the machine
Blocked filter in the end of the inlet hose where it screws onto the valve
Failed water inlet valve coil
Split or blocked pressure sensor hose, so the machine can't tell it's filling
Frozen supply pipe in cold weather

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 tap feeding the machine is fully open and water runs freely from a nearby cold tap
Pull the machine out gently and make sure the fill hose isn't kinked or squashed against the wall
Press Start/Pause to clear the code and let it attempt to fill again
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and restart the cycle
In frosty weather, allow time for a frozen supply pipe to thaw before trying again

Common questions about Samsung 4E

What does 4E mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it allows, so it's stopped and flagged a fill problem. Samsung gives the drum ten minutes to reach the water level it expects, judged by the pressure sensor. If the level never gets there he a rise in the sensor reading early on, the cycle halts with 4E (shown as E1 on older models). Pressing Start/Pause clears it and the machine will try to fill again, but if the underlying cause is still there it will come straight back.

Can I fix Samsung 4E myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Check the tap feeding the machine is fully open and water runs freely from a nearby cold tap.
Pull the machine out gently and make sure the fill hose isn't kinked or squashed against the wall.
Press Start/Pause to clear the code and let it attempt to fill again.
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and restart the cycle.
In frosty weather, allow time for a frozen supply pipe to thaw before trying again.

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

How much does it cost to repair Samsung 4E?

£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 4E?

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 4E error — washing machine