When your Samsung Washer runs into a problem, it will display an error code on the front control panel to let you know what’s going wrong with your machine.
However, it will only display an error code, and it’s up to you to refer to the manual to find out what it means, which can leave users frustrated and unsure of how to fix the problem correctly.
One such error code users have reported encountering frequently is U6, indicating that your washer has experienced an unbalanced load error. This article will detail all the reasons why this error code appears and give you the most efficient methods of fixing the problem.
Causes of the Samsung Washer U6 Code
The u6 error is very similar to the Ub, UE, 1 Ub, and 1U6 error codes, and depending on which specific Samsung washer model you are using, a different code may be displayed, but they all mean the same thing.
An unbalanced load is usually caused by an issue with the clothes inside the drum, such as becoming tangled together or overloading the washer, which puts stress on the drum.
1. The Washer’s been Overloaded
For the washer to clean your clothes properly, the drum needs to spin freely. So if the drum gets overloaded, it will place stress on the drum and shock absorbers.
When this happens, the washer will pause the wash cycle to protect the components from harm. Samsung recommends not filling the washer drum over 75% full for a single wash cycle, so you may need to remove some items in order to better balance the load.
2. The Washer isn’t Level
Samsung washers are designed to operate optimally when they are completely level with the floor. If, for any reason, they are not level, it may cause excessive vibration and uneven balance in the wash drum.
You’ll need to check the level of your washer and adjust the height of the feet in each corner so that it’s completely level with the floor. Once you have done this, you’ll see a significant improvement in performance.
3. The Clothes Bundled Together
Sometimes clothes can wrap and tangle together, which creates a big ball of laundry that gets thrown around inside the drum, throwing off its balance.
This is often caused by clothing items with laces, drawstrings, or hoody ties wrapping around the clothes and tangling them up. Those items must be placed in netted bags, and the wash load manually re-distributed around the washer.
4. The Washer is Underloaded
Equally as important as not overloading the washer, if the washer is underloaded, the clothes can easily be thrown around or get stuck on the impeller, which causes balance issues.
If possible, you may want to wait until you have more clothes to wash. Alternatively, steps can be taken to artificially bulk up the wash load so you can get those items washed right away.
5. The Wrong Wash Cycle Type is Used
Modern Samsung washers have a myriad of wash cycle options to help customize your wash experience to the specific type of laundry items you need to wash. It will then adjust the wash time, level of heat, and drum spin speed based on the clothing types being washed.
However, sometimes users can accidentally pick the wrong cycle setting, which causes the drum to spin too fast or too slow, which then causes balance issues because the laundry doesn’t match the chosen setting.
You’ll need to review your wash settings and ensure you use the most appropriate one for your laundry load.
6. The Washer Needs Resetting
Samsung washers utilize computer-assisted technology to manage the wash cycle parameters. As with anything that utilizes computer software, it can be prone to running into glitches and problems.
The good news is these errors can often be solved by simply performing a hard reset or power cycle of the washer.
7. The Suspension Rods/Shock Absorbers are Worn Down
The stabilization of the washer drums is assisted by suspension rods (for top-loading washers) and shock absorbers (for front-load washers), which are designed to help stabilize the drum and reduce vibrations so the washer can operate smoothly and quietly.
As these are points of contact for the drum, they may wear down over prolonged periods of frequent use and become less effective. When this happens, the U6 error code may be triggered, so the suspension rods/shock absorbers will need to be inspected for wear and replaced accordingly.
8. The Control Board is Failing
The control board acts as the brain of the washer, sending out signals based on the user’s inputs in order to turn the various components on or off and complete the wash cycle.
If the control board is running into problems, it can be very difficult to diagnose and repair. So the usual course of action is just to replace the control board with a new one.
How to Fix Samsung Washer U6 Error Code
As you can see, this issue is most commonly caused by unideal conditions in the wash drum. By adjusting our wash load method and settings slightly, we can easily rectify this error and restore your washer back to working order.
1. Don’t Overload the Washer
When your wash load is too heavy, not only will the clothes not clean properly as they don’t have room to agitate, but they will also create an unbalanced load. If possible, consider removing some items from your current wash load and then running a second wash cycle.
Although it costs more water and detergent, running 2 effective wash loads is always better than a single ineffective one. As recommended by Samsung, try to keep the load under 75% of the total capacity for optimal performance.
2. Level the Washer
If your Samsung washer isn’t completely level with the floor, then it may operate very loudly and even vibrate across the floor. So you’ll need to level it.
The first thing to do is ascertain how leveled it is currently and figure out which corners need adjusting. To do this, you can use a spirit level, or alternatively, a spirit level app on your phone also works.
Once you have a better idea of which corners are too high/low, you can adjust the height of each corner by loosening the bolt on the washer leg and then turning it clockwise to raise that corner or counterclockwise to lower it.
3. Manually Re-distribute the Clothes
If the clothes have bundled and tangled together, oftentimes, the easiest solution is to just re-distribute them by hand.
All you need to do is pause the wash cycle and open the door. Then manually pull the clothes apart and set them evenly across the wash drum.
Additionally, you should also ensure any items with strings on, such as sweatpants, hoodies, or shoes with shoelaces, are placed into netted wash bags. This allows them to still be cleaned adequately while also preventing them from tangling up.
4. Increase the Wash Load
Much like overloading the washer, underloading it may also trigger this error. If possible, it’s best to hold off on the wash cycle and accumulate more clothes to wash; try to get the washing machine drum over 25% full for optimal performance.
However, if you absolutely need to wash those clothes right now, an easy solution is to just throw in a blanket or thick hoody (even if they’re already clean), which can help bulk up the wash load.
5. Select the Right Cycle Setting
Your washer has different washing cycle options that allow you to dial in the best washing cycle type for your given laundry load. You should review the available wash cycles and pick the most appropriate one for your clothes.
For example, if you are washing big heavy blankets, the bedding/bedding plus cycle is a great choice as it will run the drum slower.
6. Power Cycle the Washing Machine
Sometimes these errors are thrown up randomly with no real underlying cause behind them. The good news is they can usually be solved by power cycling the washer.
To do this, you only need to turn the washing machine off, unplug it from the wall outlet, or turn it off at the circuit breaker. Wait 2-3 minutes for the residual power to dissipate from the washer, then start it back up.
7. Check and Replace the Suspension Rods/Shock Absorbers
If the suspension rods or shock absorbers are worn, they will need to be replaced. The process of how you achieve this will change depending on your model and whether you are using a top-loading or front-loading washer.
If you aren’t already familiar with this process, the easiest solution is to contact Samsung customer support, who will put you in touch with a service technician to assist with the replacement.
8. Replace the Control Board
Similarly, if the control board fails, it’s extremely difficult to self-service. So once again, the best solution here is to reach out to Samsung support, who will assist with sourcing and installing a replacement board.
Preventing the Samsung Washer U6 Error Code
Now that you have this error code fixed up, you can take a few easy steps to ensure that it doesn’t come back again. Firstly, ensure you wash the right amount of clothes and don’t overload or underload the washer.
Then you should put all items with ties and strings on into netted bags, and finally, ensure you pick an appropriate wash cycle setting for the types of clothes you are washing.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
