Samsung Washer 3E Error Code: Motor Fault

Quick Answer

Samsung front-load washers use a brushless direct-drive motor with a hall sensor that tracks rotor position. If the hall sensor fails, the motor controller loses position feedback and shuts down with 3E.

3E on a Samsung washer means the motor drive circuit detected either a locked rotor or an overcurrent condition. The three most common causes are a failed hall sensor (rotor position sensor), a damaged stator winding, and a failed motor control board. Start with the hall sensor as it is the least expensive part and the most frequently failed component in 3E diagnoses on Samsung VRT washers.

SamsungWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: advanced82% DIY Success

Time to Fix

60–150 min

Difficulty

advanced

Parts Cost

$15 – $350

Tools Needed

Multimeter, Torx T20 screwdriver

Wrong code?

Not seeing 3E on your display?

Select what your appliance is actually doing and we'll take you to the right guide.

motor locked, drum won't spin

LgLE

What Does the 3E Code Mean?

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Hall sensor (rotor position sensor) failed40%

Stator winding shorted or open24%

Motor control board failed to deliver correct drive signal22%

Foreign object locking the rotor14%

Symptoms You May Notice

3E code during wash agitation or spin ramp-up
Drum moves a small amount then stops with 3E
No drum movement at all and immediate 3E
Motor area smells burned after 3E appearance

Can you reset a Samsung washer to clear the 3E code?

Unplug for 60 seconds after replacing the failed component. 3E will not clear on a reset alone if the root cause is not addressed.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

MultimeterTorx T20 screwdriverPhillips screwdriverNut driver set

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Unplug the washer and wait 5 minutes

Unplug the washer and wait 5 minutes. Remove the rear panel to access the motor. Try to rotate the rotor by hand. It should turn freely with moderate magnetic resistance. A locked rotor that will not turn indicates a physical jam or seized bearing.

Locate the hall sensor connector at the motor

With the washer carefully powered on (panel off

With the machine unplugged

Replace motor control board DC92-01803A only if hall sensor and

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Hall Sensor (Rotor Position Sensor)DC96-01003B · $15–$25	DC96-01003B	$15 – $25
Stator AssemblyDC31-00055D · $80–$150	DC31-00055D	$80 – $150
Motor Control BoardDC92-01803A · $200–$350	DC92-01803A	$200 – $350

Verify part fitment for your Samsung model

Repair vs. Replace Calculator

Appliance Age (Years)7 Yrs

Labor Approach

Our Verdict

BORDERLINE

Estimated Cost: $183 (Parts) vs $750 (New Machine)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 3E error code on a Samsung washer the same as LE on an LG washer?

Functionally yes. Both codes mean the brushless direct-drive motor lost rotor position feedback or detected a locked rotor condition. Both brands' motors use hall sensors, and both codes start with a hall sensor check.

Can a heavy overloaded drum cause the Samsung 3E error?

Yes. Grossly overloading the drum can create enough torque demand on the motor to trigger the overcurrent protection and display 3E. Try running the same load split into two smaller loads before ordering parts.

How do I know if my Samsung motor stator is failed?

Test the three stator phase leads with a multimeter set to ohms. All three winding pairs should read equal resistance within 1-2 ohms of each other. An open winding (OL reading) or a pair that reads significantly different from the other two confirms stator failure.

Related Samsung Washer Error Codes

Code: 3C2Samsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Code: AC6Samsung Washer AC6 Error Code: Motor Communication Fault Code: E3Samsung Washer E3 Error Code: Spin Speed Not Reached

Same Fix on Other Brands

Lg washerLE: LG Washer LE Error Code

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Samsung shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4C Error Code: No Water Supply Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4E Error Code: Water Supply Fault (Top Load)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8C Error Code: Vibration Sensor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8E Error Code: Motor Frequency Sensor Fault

Models Known to Experience 3E Errors

This repair applies to most Samsung washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WF45R6100AW, WF45T6000AW, WF45R6300AW, WF50R8500AV, WF45H5200AW

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026