A 4E code means your washer is not getting water. Usually, this is caused by a closed tap, a kinked hose, or clogged mesh filters where the hoses connect to the back of the machine. Most homeowners can fix this in ten minutes without calling a professional.
Nine times out of ten when I roll up to a 4E call, it's the mesh filters. Just packed with mineral deposits and the homeowner had no idea those even existed. Don't ignore this code though. If the inlet valve coil burns out from repeated failed attempts to open, you're looking at a $50-80 part instead of a two-minute toothbrush job. Usually takes me under 15 minutes to diagnose and fix on-site.
SamsungWasherSeverity: moderate95% DIY Success
Time to Fix
10–30 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
—
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, Needle-nose pliers
What Does the 4E Code Mean?
OK so the 4E code is basically your Samsung saying 'I tried to fill up but nothing happened.' It's one of the most common service calls I get, and honestly, probably 70% of them are fixed before I even open my toolbox. The filters, the taps, a kinked hose. On the rare occasions it's an actual inlet valve failure, you're still looking at a pretty cheap fix, usually under $80 in parts. Samsung also shows this as 4C on newer models, same exact problem.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Clogged inlet filters55%
Kinked supply hoses20%
Closed water taps15%
Faulty inlet valve assembly10%
Symptoms You May Notice
The washer fills for maybe 30 seconds, then just stops dead and throws the code, the drum sitting there completely empty or with barely an inch of water.
You can hear the machine humming when a cycle starts but zero water enters the tub. That buzzing sound is the solenoid trying to open and failing.
Water trickles in painfully slowly, like a cup every few minutes, and eventually the machine times out waiting for the tub to reach fill level.
The error pops up at the very start of any cycle, fill, rinse, it doesn't matter, because literally every cycle needs water first.
Washer works fine for several loads, then randomly throws 4E, usually because a partially clogged filter is borderline and the flow is just inconsistent enough to occasionally fail.
Can you reset a Samsung washer to clear the 4E code?
Hit the Power button to turn the machine off. Unplug it from the wall and wait a full 60 seconds, not just 5 or 10. Make sure your water taps are fully open before you plug back in. Power it back on and start a fresh cycle. The 4E code clears itself once the machine successfully detects water filling the tub at the right rate. If it comes right back, the underlying problem isn't fixed yet.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverNeedle-nose pliersAdjustable wrench or channel-lock pliersMultimeterBucket or large towelOld toothbrush
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range2000–5000 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4E the same as 4C on a Samsung washer?
Yeah, totally the same thing. Samsung just changed how they display the code on newer models. Older Samsung washers with a segmented LED display show it as 4E. Newer models with a full digital display show 4C. Both mean the exact same thing: the machine tried to fill and couldn't detect enough water coming in. All the troubleshooting steps are identical, so don't get tripped up by the different number. Samsung's own service manual actually lists them together as the same fault code.
Why does my washer start filling and then show 4E?
That's a really common pattern and it almost always points to partially clogged inlet filters. What's happening is some water's getting through, just not enough. The machine starts the fill, the pressure switch senses a little water level change, but then it stalls. The control board expects a certain fill rate, and when that rate drops below the threshold, it triggers the code rather than waiting forever. I've seen machines filling at maybe 20% of normal capacity because the screens were so gunked up with mineral scale. Clean those filters first.
Can a drain issue cause 4E?
It can, yeah, though it's pretty rare. If your drain hose is installed too low or dropped directly into the standpipe without a proper air gap, you can get a siphon effect where water drains out as fast as it fills in. The tub never reaches the target level, so the board eventually gives up and throws the 4E. Check that your drain hose has a loop up high before it goes into the standpipe, and that the hose isn't pushed more than about 6 inches down into the drain pipe. A lot of installers skip that standpipe loop.
How do I clear the 4E code once I fix the water issue?
Once you've fixed the underlying problem, just hit Power to turn the machine off, wait about 30 seconds, then power it back on. Start a fresh cycle. As soon as the machine detects water filling at the correct rate, the code clears itself automatically and the cycle continues. You don't need any special reset sequence for this one. But if the code comes back after the first cycle or two, the problem isn't fully resolved yet. Either the filters are still partially blocked or there's something else going on with the valve or pressure switch.
How much does it cost to fix a Samsung 4E error?
Honestly, most of the time it costs you nothing except 15 minutes of your time. Cleaning filters and straightening hoses is free. If you actually need a new inlet valve, figure $40 to $70 for the part, and it's a pretty straightforward DIY if you're comfortable pulling the machine out and using a screwdriver and wrench. If you call a tech, figure $100 to $200 total for parts and labor combined, but that's only if the valve actually failed. I'd say about 75% of 4E calls I go on get resolved without ordering any parts at all.
Models Known to Experience 4E Errors
This repair applies to most Samsung washers with this error code. Common model numbers include: