Samsung washer “Ub” code: unbalanced load
Checked against Samsung's own support pages on 2026-10-27 · Updated 2026-10-27
Same error on other Samsung displays: UE, U6, 1 Ub, 1U6, dc (on some models). Ur is different: the washer is retrying to balance the load, which Samsung says is not a problem on its own.
Work down the page and stop at the first step that clears the code. Only a failed check at the end needs a pro.
Fix it now (mid-load)
- Open the lid and pull out any bath mat or rug, or untangle anything twisted together. [1, 4]
- Spread the clothes evenly around the tub. With a single heavy item, add 2–3 towels. [1, 4]
- Close the lid and start again, or run another spin cycle to finish the load. [1, 4]
Causes, most to least likely
| Cause | How to spot it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven load | Clothes bunched or tangled on one side of the tub | Untangle and spread the load evenly around the tub, then restart [1, 2] |
| One heavy, absorbent item | A bath mat, rug, blanket or a few soaked towels riding up one side | Take it out, or add 2–3 towels to balance it and run another spin; lowering the spin speed also helps. Samsung US says not to wash floor mats. [4, 2] |
| Small load | Only a few items in the tub | Add a few items to even out the weight, or lower the spin speed [2] |
| Washer not level | It rocks or wobbles when you push on the corners | Adjust the legs until all corners sit firm (see the rock test below) [2, 4] |
| Weight sensing off after a move or install | Ub on normal, evenly loaded washes, often after the washer was moved | Run calibration (below) [2, 5] |
Check the washer is level
- Rock test: push on the top corners, front-to-back and side-to-side. All corners should sit firm. If one wobbles, shorten the other legs first, or lengthen the wobbly one if the rest are already as short as they go. Turning a leg clockwise raises that corner. Some top-loaders have only 2 or 3 adjustable legs. [2]
- Leave about one inch between the washer and the dryer or wall, on a stable floor. [2]
- If the tub did not turn at all during calibration, the washer needs service. [2]
Recalibrate the washer
Samsung top-loaders with Temp. and Delay End buttons, the most common pair. Samsung puts leveling before calibration in its troubleshooting order, so level the washer first.
- Take everything out. The tub must be completely empty — check for socks. [2]
- Press and hold Temp. and Delay End together for 3 seconds, until Cb shows on the display. On some models the washer is on first; on others you hold the two buttons and then press Power while still holding them. [2]
- Start it: press Start/Pause (on panels labelled “Hold to Start”, press and hold it). [2, 3]
- Leave the lid closed. The tub turns back and forth for 1 to 3 minutes. [2]
- Done when the display shows En, End or 0 and the washer turns itself off. [2]
No Cb? If Cb never shows, your model uses a different pair — for example the WA50B5100 uses Temp. and Soil. Find the model number on the label inside the lid and check that model’s user manual. If the manual has no calibration mode, the model doesn’t have one. [2, 3]
Prevent it
- Load evenly around the tub, never piled against one side. [1, 2]
- Don’t wash floor mats. For bath mats or big towels, add 2–3 more towels so the load balances. [2, 4]
- Use a lower spin speed for sheets, blankets and other large items. [2]
- Run calibration again whenever the washer is moved or reinstalled. [5]
When to call a pro (or your landlord)
- Ub keeps coming back on normal, evenly loaded washes after leveling and calibration
- The tub did not turn during calibration
- Cb never shows and the manual has no calibration mode, and the error persists
- The washer walks across the floor during spin, or makes grinding or banging noises
Renting? Send this to your tenant (or keep it)
The tenant-safe version: loading and calibration only. Leveling and anything mechanical stay with the landlord.
WASHER "Ub" ERROR — QUICK FIX (about 5 minutes) RECALIBRATE THE WASHER 1. Take everything out of the tub. It must be completely empty. 2. Press and hold "Temp." and "Delay End" together for 3 seconds, until "Cb" shows. (On some models, hold them and then press Power.) 3. Press "Hold to Start" (or Start/Pause) to begin. 4. Leave the lid closed for 1–3 minutes. The tub turns back and forth. 5. Done when "En", "End" or "0" shows and the washer turns itself off. TO AVOID THE ERROR - Spread clothes evenly around the tub, not piled on one side. - Don’t wash floor mats. For bath mats or big towels, add 2–3 more towels. - If the error shows mid-load, open the lid, spread the clothes out and start again. LET YOUR LANDLORD KNOW IF - "Cb" doesn’t show in step 2 - The washer rocks when you push on its corners, or walks during spin - You still get "Ub" on normal, evenly loaded washes after calibrating - The tub didn’t turn during calibration
Where this comes from
Built from a real rental-unit call: a Samsung top-loader that kept stopping on Ub. Whites and towels were piled to one side with a rubber-backed bath mat riding up the tub wall. Every step above was checked against Samsung's own support pages; the source for each is shown next to it. Panels differ by model — when yours doesn't match, the user manual for your model number wins.
- Samsung US — Washing machine information and error codes (checked 2026-10-27)
- Samsung US — Washing machine spins poorly (loading, leveling, calibration mode) (checked 2026-10-27)
- Samsung US — Control panel and Run calibration: WA50B5100 / WA49B5105 (checked 2026-10-27)
- Samsung UK — What do the codes on my washing machine mean? (checked 2026-10-27)
- Samsung SG — How to run the calibration mode on my washing machine (checked 2026-10-27)
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