Samsung E02 tumble dryer: 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 E02 actually means

The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out, so it has stopped the cycle rather than carry on with a drum full of water.

On this washer dryer the control board watches the water level during the drain part of the cycle. If the level hasn't dropped as expected after about ten minutes of pumping, it gives up and flags a drain fault. You'll usually find the drum still holding water and the door locked until the level falls.

What E02 looks like on a Samsung tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Samsung tumble dryer, E02 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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 pump filter at the bottom front of the machine ","Fluff, coins or a bra wire jammed in the drain pump impeller
Kinked, crushed or badly routed drain hose behind the machine
Blocked or partly blocked household waste pipe or sink standpipe
Drain hose pushed too far into the waste pipe, or a blocked pressure switch hose giving a false reading

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, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front — this is what it turns out to be most of the time
Check the drain hose at the back isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or trapped behind the machine
If the hose empties into a sink standpipe or under-sink trap, check that isn't blocked — run the sink tap and see if it drains away freely
Once the filter is clear, leave the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and run a spin or drain programme to see if the code returns

Which Samsung models show E02

E02 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

WD0804W8E1

Common questions about Samsung E02

What does E02 mean on a Samsung tumble dryer?

The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out, so it has stopped the cycle rather than carry on with a drum full of water. On this washer dryer the control board watches the water level during the drain part of the cycle. If the level hasn't dropped as expected after about ten minutes of pumping, it gives up and flags a drain fault. You'll usually find the drum still holding water and the door locked until the level falls.

Can I fix Samsung E02 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front — this is what it turns out to be most of the time.
Check the drain hose at the back isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or trapped behind the machine.
If the hose empties into a sink standpipe or under-sink trap, check that isn't blocked — run the sink tap and see if it drains away freely.
Once the filter is clear, leave the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and run a spin or drain programme to see if the code returns.

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

How much does it cost to repair Samsung E02?

£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 E02?

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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer codes

All Samsung fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer drum not turning

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 E02 error — tumble dryer