Washing Machine Error Codes Dictionary: A Complete Guide for All Brands
Independent guide — no official affiliation with the platforms mentioned.
Short answer
Washing machine error codes vary by brand, but four universal fault families are the same: water inlet (Beko E1, Vestel E1, Bosch E17, Samsung 4C/4E, LG IE), drainage (Beko E2, Vestel E2, Bosch E18/E24, Samsung 5C/5E, LG OE), door lock (Bosch E16, Samsung dE, LG DE, Vestel E4) and heating/sensor (Beko E5, Bosch E31+, Samsung 6E/tE, LG HE/tE). The first three families are user-fixable: tap and filter, pump filter and door checks. For heating and sensor codes try a power cycle and call service if it repeats. This dictionary collects every brand's logic in one place.
01 — Step-by-step fix
Step-by-step fix
0/6 steps completed
STEP SISTEMİ
STEP 01
Know the inlet family: E1, E17, 4C, IE
Every brand's inlet code shares logic: Beko E1, Vestel E1, Bosch E17, Samsung 4C/4E and LG IE appear when the machine cannot take water in time. The fix is universal: open the tap, descale the tap strainer and hose filter, check for kinks. With clean filters a persistent code means inlet valve fault. This family makes up a third of all cases and most users fix it in 10 minutes.
STEP 02
Know the drain family: E2, E24, 5C, OE
Drain codes: Beko E2, Vestel E2, Bosch E18 and E24, Samsung 5C/5E/SE and LG OE. The fix is universal: open the pump filter, clean out lint, coins and hairpins, verify the impeller spins freely. Check the drain hose for kinks and height. If the code repeats with a clean filter, pump motor or board checks are needed.
The drain family almost never appears on machines with regularly cleaned pump filters; a monthly check is the cheapest prevention.
STEP 03
Know the door lock family: E16, dE, DE, E4
Door codes: Bosch E16, Samsung dE/dC, LG DE and Vestel E4. The fix is universal: open the door, verify nothing is caught in the gasket, close pressing on the lock. If child lock is active a similar warning appears; lift it with the manual's combination. Loose hinges and lock part faults are questioned in repeating cases; lock replacement is a quick, economical service job.
STEP 04
Know the heating and sensor family: E5, E31, 6E, tE, HE
Heating codes: Beko E5, Bosch E31+, Samsung 6E and tE, LG HE and tE. The only user action here is a power cycle: unplug for 10-15 minutes. Grid voltage dips can temporarily lock the heater circuit; if the code clears on power-up the issue was temporary. Repeating heating codes need heater element or temperature sensor replacement — service work.
STEP 05
Know the load balance and motor families: UE, LE, 3E
Balance and motor codes: UE (LG, Samsung) is load imbalance and is fixed by redistributing laundry; never wash one large item alone. LE (LG) is motor lock or overload; Samsung 3E is a motor fault. Reduce the load and restart, then power cycle. Repeating motor codes need carbon or board checks; do not remove the motor yourself.
On motor and board codes (3E, repeated LE), do not disassemble; motor capacitors can hold charge and you lose warranty.
STEP 06
Verify your brand's table and be ready for service
This dictionary gives the shared logic; verify the model-specific table in the manufacturer's official manual. The model number on the door gasket sticker (E-Nr on Bosch) is requested at every service; keep it handy. Tell the service the code, the program where it appears and how many times it repeated; the technician arrives with the right part and you avoid a second visit fee. Our brand guides (Beko, Vestel, Bosch, Samsung, LG) carry detailed steps.
Tips
- Cleaning the pump filter monthly and the tap strainer quarterly prevents more than half of all error codes in advance.
- On every brand, the power cycle (unplug 10-15 minutes) is the first step; it clears board memory and temporary codes.
- Have code, program and model number ready for service calls; one visit with the right part closes most cases.
02 — Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do washing machine error codes differ by brand?
Yes, the display differs (Beko E1, Samsung 4C, LG IE) but the four universal fault families are the same: inlet, drain, door lock and heating/sensor. Once you know the families, the brand difference stops mattering; the fix flow is identical.
Which error codes can I fix myself?
Inlet, drain, door lock and load balance codes (three families) are user-fixable: tap/filter, pump filter and door checks. On heating, motor and board codes try a power cycle; if it repeats, contact service.
Where is the model number and why does it matter?
The model number is on the sticker around the door gasket or on the back. It is required to identify the official code table and the correct spare part; service calls and parts orders always ask for it.
Did this guide solve it?
Your feedback improves our guides — it takes 10 seconds.
Links in this guide point to official platform pages. Steps may change with platform updates; check the page date.
03 — Related guides