4E / 4C
Samsung Washing Machine
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Samsung 4E (also shown as 4C on some models) means the washing machine is not receiving enough water within the expected time. The water supply tap being closed or only partially open causes this error in the majority of cases.
Affected Models
- Samsung AddWash series
- Samsung EcoBubble series
- Samsung QuickDrive series
- Samsung WW series
- Samsung WF series
Common Causes
- Water supply tap closed or partially open
- Inlet hose kinked or crushed
- Inlet filter mesh blocked with sediment
- Water pressure too low — below Samsung's minimum 0.5 bar
- Machine connected only to hot water on a cold-fill inlet
- Inlet valve solenoid failed
How to Fix It
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Check the water supply tap.
The tap behind the machine should be fully open — turned anti-clockwise until it stops. A tap that is only 70–80% open severely restricts flow and causes 4E. Check both cold and hot taps if your machine has two water connections.
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Check the inlet hose.
Pull the machine forward slightly and inspect the hose from the tap to the machine. Straighten any kinks. Also ensure the machine is not pushed so far back that it is pressing against the hose, crushing it.
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Clean the inlet filter mesh.
Turn off the water supply tap. Unscrew the inlet hose from the back of the machine (towel ready — water drips out). Inside the threaded connection you will see a small mesh filter. Remove it with pliers or tweezers, rinse it under the tap, replace it, and reconnect the hose firmly.
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Check household water pressure.
Samsung washers require a minimum of 0.5 bar water pressure. Turn on a nearby cold tap fully — if pressure is very low (barely a trickle), the household supply is restricted. Check whether a mains stopcock is partially closed, or contact your water supplier if the pressure is generally low.
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Test the inlet valve.
If all of the above are fine and 4E persists, the water inlet solenoid valve may have failed. Start a cycle and listen for a buzzing or clicking from the back of the machine in the first minute — that is the valve trying to open. Complete silence indicates electrical failure. A Samsung service engineer can test and replace the inlet valve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Samsung 4E and 4C errors?
4E and 4C are the same error on Samsung washing machines — the display used depends on the model generation. Older Samsung washers show 4E, newer models show 4C. Both mean the machine could not fill with water in time. The fix is identical: check the water tap, hose, and inlet filter.