Welcome to the comprehensive repair protocol for your Samsung washing machine. Designed for individuals looking to perform a Easy difficulty repair, this step-by-step tutorial demystifies the troubleshooting process. Most users complete this repair in 15-30 min. We cover everything from initial safety precautions to the final component reassembly, ensuring a successful outcome.
Difficulty: Easy • Est. Cost: Varies • Time: 15-30 min
Safety Warning: The following steps mirror professional diagnostic procedures. For your safety, verify that the appliance is completely depowered before beginning the repair.
1. Understanding the UR / Ub Error
The UR error (sometimes displayed as Ub) on Samsung front-load washers stands for "Unbalanced Retrying." The machine detected that the laundry load is too uneven to proceed with the high-speed spin cycle safely.
- When the washer senses imbalance, it stops the spin and attempts to redistribute the load by tumbling the drum back and forth. If it succeeds, the cycle continues normally. If it fails after several attempts, it displays the error and stops.
- This is not a mechanical failure — it is a protective feature. The drum spins at up to 1200 RPM, and an unbalanced load can cause severe vibration that damages the drum bearings, door seal, and suspension springs.
- The UR error is most common when washing large single items like comforters, rugs, or waterproof jackets. It can also happen when washing a small load of heavy items like jeans or towels.
2. Resolving the Unbalanced Load
Pause the cycle and open the door. Manually rearrange heavy items (like blankets or towels) so they are evenly distributed around the drum. Do not just push items to one side.
- If you are washing a single large item (a comforter or a rug), add 1-2 medium-sized towels to help balance the centrifugal force during spin. The extra items help distribute the weight evenly.
- For waterproof items (jackets, mattress protectors, pet bedding), machine washing creates a "bubble" of air that makes them float to one side. Turn these items inside out or add a wet towel to help them stay submerged.
- Ensure you are not exceeding the washer's capacity. The WF45T6000AW has a 4.5 cu. ft. drum. Fill it no more than 3/4 full for effective washing and spinning.
- Close the door and resume the cycle. The machine will attempt to ramp up speed again. If the UR error appears immediately, the load is still unbalanced — repeat the redistribution.
3. Leveling the Washer
If UR errors happen frequently even with properly balanced loads, your washer might not be level. An unlevel machine cannot distribute the load correctly during the pre-spin calibration phase.
- Place a spirit level on top of the washer (side-to-side) and on the front panel (front-to-back). The bubble should be centered in both directions.
- Adjust the front leveling legs by loosening the lock nut with a wrench, then turning the plastic foot to raise or lower it. The rear legs are adjusted by tilting the washer forward and turning the rear feet.
- Press down firmly on all four corners — there should be zero rocking motion. If you can rock the machine by pushing on one corner, that foot needs to be lowered.
- Samsung recommends a maximum tilt of 1 degree. After leveling, recheck with the level and lock all nuts in place.
4. Inspect the Suspension Springs and Shock Absorbers
The washer drum is suspended by a combination of springs (at the top) and shock absorbers (at the bottom). These components dampen vibration during the spin cycle.
- Open the top panel by removing two Phillips screws at the rear and sliding the panel forward. The springs are visible at the top corners connecting the drum to the cabinet frame.
- Check that all springs are intact and properly hooked. A disconnected or stretched spring will allow the drum to sag, causing persistent imbalance.
- The shock absorbers are at the bottom, connecting the drum base to the cabinet. Push down on the drum — the shocks should provide smooth, even resistance throughout the travel. If a shock moves freely with no resistance, it has lost its damping fluid and must be replaced.
- Samsung part number DC93-00634A is the shock absorber set for the WF45T6000AW. Replace shocks in pairs or all four for best results.
5. Check the Spider Support and Tub Bearings
If you hear a loud thumping or banging sound along with the UR error, the spider support (the metal frame connecting the drum to the drive shaft) may be cracked or broken.
- Open the door and spin the drum by hand. If you feel grinding resistance or hear a scraping sound, the tub bearings are failing or the spider support has snapped.
- Tilt the drum up and down — if there is excessive play (more than 1/2 inch of vertical movement), the spider support is likely broken. This is a known issue on Samsung front-load washers where the aluminum spider corrodes and fractures.
- A broken spider support requires replacing the entire outer tub assembly. This is a major repair that typically costs $300-500 if done professionally. On a washer over 5 years old, replacement may be more economical.
6. Run a Calibration Mode
Samsung front-load washers have a calibration mode that teaches the control board the exact position of the drum and the load. This can resolve persistent UR errors caused by the imbalance sensor being out of calibration.
- Turn off the washer. Press and hold the "Temp" and "Spin" buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds to enter Calibration Mode.
- The display will show "Cb" (Calibration). Press the Start/Pause button. The calibration cycle will last approximately 5 minutes.
- During calibration, the drum will rotate slowly in both directions, then perform several short spin bursts. Do not open the door during this process.
- When calibration is complete, "End" will appear on the display. Run an empty Spin cycle to verify the machine operates smoothly without error.