
Are you in the habit of piling and packing your clothes in the washer during laundry day?
Like many others, we used to think that the fastest way to get the laundry done is to stuff the drum with as many clothes as possible. Now we know that it does the opposite.
When you overload your washer, everything inside clumps together, leaving no room for the detergent to move through the clothes. Simply put, your clothes aren’t going to get clean.
Unfortunately, this is the least of your worries. Overloading can cause your washer’s internal components to burn out, triggering all sorts of issues like the motor driving error, which appears as the 3e code.
In our guide, we will delve into the causes of motor failure in your Samsung washer. We will also show you how to troubleshoot each problem so you won’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for repair services.
What is a Samsung washer 3e error code?
When a 3e error code is displayed on a Samsung washer, it indicates that the motor can’t operate properly. It might be caused by an overloaded drum, an obstruction, or a loose connection in the drive motor assembly.
If the motor assembly or main control board malfunctions, it may trigger a 3e error.
How to Fix a Samsung Washer 3e Error
Measuring your laundry load and distributing items evenly around the drum will keep your washer from getting overloaded, which can clear the 3e error code.
However, if it is caused by a faulty drive motor assembly or main control board, you must replace the component to resolve the error.
Below, we made a list of the possible causes of a 3e error code on a Samsung washer. We also provide step-by-step instructions to help you resolve the problem and get back to your laundry.
Causes | Fixes |
Too Much Laundry | • Turn off the washer and drain all the water to get the clothes out. • Check if the drum is overloaded by putting your hand in the drum. • There must be at least a hand’s width of space between the top of the drum and the top of the load. • If there isn’t, your washer is overloaded. • Remove your laundry and check the tag on each item to confirm that it is suitable for the washing machine. • Only keep the items that are machine washable. Then, measure the laundry that you want to load into the drum. • Distribute the clothes evenly inside the tub. Avoid twisting and packing heavy items (e.g. sheets, towels, and blankets). • Open the user manual to confirm if the selected cycle is appropriate for your laundry load. • Change the settings if necessary, and start the spin cycle. |
Obstructions and Loose Connections | • Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply. Empty the drum before proceeding with the repair. • Tape the door shut before laying the washer on its back. • Use a 10 mm socket to unthread the bolts on the support bar. • Push the left side of the bar to release it from the locking tab, and pull it towards you to remove the bar. • Use a 17 mm socket to remove the nut and washers on the motor rotor. • Hold the rotor and stator to prevent them from rotating. • Remove the motor rotor and check for signs of damage (e.g. cracks, missing magnets, and stripped-out splines). • Look for any obstruction in the motor assembly and remove them if you find any. • Inspect the bolts on the winding coil and confirm that they are secure. • Check the stator for any loose connections. Plug the electrical connectors properly if they are loose. • Insert the rotor assembly in the shaft and push it in place. Rotate it slightly to align it properly. • Reinstall the two washers and the nut. Align the right side of the support bar to the retainer. Then, do the same for the left side. • Reinstall the bolts to mount the retainer. Insert them by hand to avoid cross-threading and use a socket to tighten them. • Place the washer in an upright position. Reconnect its power cord and turn on its water supply. • Turn on the unit and check if the error is resolved. |
Faulty Drive Motor Assembly | • Unplug the washer and turn off the water supply. Empty the drum and tape the lid shut. • Tip the machine on its back to access the drive motor assembly. Remove the bolts on the support bar using a 10 mm socket. • Push the left side of the bar to release it from the locking tab. Then, pull it towards you to remove the bar. • Unthread the nut on the motor using a 17mm socket. Remove the washers and set them all aside. • Pull the motor rotor out and check for signs of damage. • Unplug the electrical connectors, and unthread the 10 mm bolts mounting the winding coil. • Remove the defective stator. Get the replacement and align it with the clutch. • Install the bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading, and use a socket to secure them. • Plug the electrical connectors. Align the rotor assembly on its shaft and gently push it in place. • Reinstall the two washers and the nut. • Align the right side of the support bar to the retainer, and repeat the step for the left side. • Insert the bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading and use a socket to tighten them. • Keep the washer in an upright position. • Plug in the washer and turn on the water supply. Then, check if it spins |
Faulty Main Control Board | • Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply. Move the washer around and remove the screws on the back cover. • Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the locking tabs. Tilt the cover upwards and lift it to release it. • Unthread the screws on the control panel. Then, tip the control panel forward and open its cover. • Take a photo of the electrical connections for reference. • Press the tab on each connector and pull out the wire to unplug it. Remove the wiring harness from its retainer. • Unthread the mounting screws on the main control board. Pry the locking tabs and remove the main control board. • Pry the locking tabs around the interface board to release it. • Align the shaft on the new interface board with the hole and push it down to install it. • Align the new main control board with the screw holes and press down along the edges until it snaps into place. • Reinstall the mounting screws of the main control board. • Plug all the electrical connectors. Refer to your reference photo. • Insert the wiring harness back into its retainer. Reattach the cover of the control board. • Flip the control panel forward and reinstall its mounting screws. Reinstall the cover along with its screws. • Plug the washer back in. Turn it on, and check if the fix cleared the error. |
Too Much Laundry
Overloading your washer can cost you more than you think. Most of the time, it leads to poor cleaning performance, draining issues(samsung washer not draining), and costly repairs.
Adding too much laundry in the drum puts a lot of pressure on the internal components of your washer, causing premature failure. The excess weight can strain the motor can cause it to malfunction, triggering a 3e error code.
If the motor hasn’t burned out, rebalancing the washer should clear the error. To improve the efficiency of your wash, we recommend measuring your laundry load.
• Small load = ⅓ full or 1 pound of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity • Medium load = ½ full or 2 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity • Large load = ¾ full or 3 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity |
On a standard washer with 4 cubic feet of capacity, a 4-pound laundry load is a small one. A medium load should weigh 8 pounds, and a large load should weigh 12 pounds.
Solution: To rebalance your Samsung washer, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Turn off the washer and drain the water inside the drum.
- Step 2: Open the door and check if the drum is overloaded by putting your hand inside the tub.
There should be at least a hand’s width of space between the top of the tub and the top of the load. If there isn’t, your washer is overloaded.
- Step 3: Remove your laundry and check their tags to confirm that they are suitable for the washing machine. Only keep the items that are machine washable.
- Step 4: Measure the laundry that you want to load into the drum.
- Step 5: Distribute the clothes evenly inside the tub. Avoid twisting and packing heavy items (e.g. sheets, towels, and blankets).
- Step 6: Open the user manual to confirm if the selected cycle is appropriate for your laundry load. Change the settings if necessary.
- Step 7: Restart the spin cycle.
Obstructions and Loose Connections
Was your washer recently repaired? Or, was your drive motor assembly replaced before the 3e error appeared?
Screws, nuts, and bolts that aren’t installed securely can get dislodged while your washer is operating. They may enter the motor assembly, which may put extra strain on the motor, preventing your washer from spinning properly.
Over time, it may permanently damage the components in the assembly. In such cases, you’ll have to replace the entire assembly.
If you suspect that a foreign object is obstructing the motor, you must open up the washer and inspect the assembly. While you’re at it, you may also want to check the electrical connectors on the stator.
Loose electrical connections can cause your motor to malfunction. As a result, your washer won’t spin.(samsung washer won’t spin)
What you’ll need:
- 10 mm socket or wrench
- 17 mm socket or wrench
- Multimeter
Solution: To resolve obstructions and loose connection in the drive motor assembly, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply.
- Step 2: Empty the drum before proceeding with the repair.
- Step 3: Tape the washer door.
- Step 4: Lay the machine on its back to access the drive motor assembly.
- Step 5: Use a 10 mm socket to unthread the bolts on the support bar.
- Step 6: Push the left side of the bar to release it from the locking tab. Then, pull it towards you to remove the bar.
- Step 7: Use a 17 mm socket to unthread the nut and washers on the motor rotor. Hold the rotor and stator in place to prevent them from rotating.
- Step 8: Remove the motor rotor and check for signs of damage (e.g. cracks, missing magnets, and stripped-out splines).
- Step 9: Look for any obstruction in the motor assembly and remove them if you find any.
- Step 10: Inspect the bolts on the winding coil and confirm that they are secure.
- Step 11: Check the stator for any loose connections. Plug the electrical connectors properly if they are loose.
- Step 12: Insert the rotor assembly in the shaft and push it in place. Rotate it slightly to align it properly.
- Step 13: Reinstall the two washers and the nut.
- Step 14: Align the right side of the support bar to the retainer. Then, do the same for the left side.
- Step 15: Reinstall the bolts to mount the retainer. Insert them by hand to avoid cross-threading and use a socket to tighten them.
- Step 16: Keep the washer in an upright position.
- Step 17: Plug in the washer and turn on the water supply.
- Step 18: Turn on the unit and check if the error is resolved.
Faulty Drive Motor Assembly
The seemingly minor habits of overloading your drum can have permanent effects on the drive motor assembly of your washer. If this habit isn’t corrected, the consistent strain on the motor will eventually cause it to burn out.
Your Samsung washer’s drive motor assembly is composed of the motor stator, hall sensor, and rotor. If any of these components fail, your Samsung washer will display a 3e error code, and it will not spin.
When this happens, you can inspect the components for signs of damage. To be certain, you can use a multimeter to perform a continuity check.
If one of the components is defective, the only way to clear the code and fix your washer is to replace the drive motor assembly.
What you’ll need:
- 10 mm socket or wrench
- 17 mm socket or wrench
- Multimeter
- New drive motor assembly
Solution: Use a multimeter to check the drive motor assembly for continuity. If it has none, replace the defective component to resolve the error.
- Step 1: Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply.
- Step 2: Empty the drum before proceeding with the repair.
- Step 3: Close the lid of the washer with tape.
- Step 4: Carefully tip the machine on its back to access the drive motor assembly.
- Step 5: Use a 10 mm socket to unthread the bolts on the support bar.
- Step 6: Push the left side of the bar to release it from the locking tab. Then, pull it towards you to remove the bar.
- Step 7: Use a 17 mm socket to remove the nut and washers on the rotor. Hold the rotor and stator in place to prevent them from rotating.
- Step 8: Remove the motor rotor and check for signs of damage (e.g. cracks, missing magnets, and stripped-out splines).
- Step 9: Disconnect the electrical connectors.
- Step 10: Use a 10 mm socket to remove the bolts on the winding coil.
- Step 11: Carefully take the stator out of its shaft.
- Step 12: Use a multimeter to test the stator for continuity.
On an auto-ranging multimeter, rotate the dial to the ohm setting. If you have a manual-ranging multimeter, turn the dial to the lowest ohm setting.
- Step 13: Touch each probe to any of the three terminals on the stator.
- Step 14: Use your user manual as a reference for the continuity check.
The resistance rating must be within the range designated in the manual. If the rating isn’t within the appropriate range, the motor is faulty and requires replacement.
To replace a Samsung washer’s drive motor assembly:
- Step 1: Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply.
- Step 2: Make sure the drum is empty.
- Step 3: Tape the lid of the washer.
- Step 4: Tip the machine on its back to access the drive motor assembly.
- Step 5: Use a 10 mm socket to remove the bolts on the support bar.
- Step 6: Push the left side of the bar to release it from the locking tab. Then, pull it towards you to remove the bar.
- Step 7: Use a 17 mm socket to unthread the nut and washers on the motor rotor. Hold the rotor and stator in place to prevent them from rotating.
- Step 8: Unplug the electrical connectors.
- Step 9: Unthread the 10 mm bolts mounting the winding coil.
- Step 10: Pull the defective stator off the shaft.
- Step 11: Align the new stator to the clutch. Install the bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading, and use a socket to secure them.
- Step 12: Plug the electrical connectors.
- Step 13: Align the rotor assembly on its shaft and gently push it in place.
- Step 14: Install the two washers and the nut.
- Step 15: Align the right side of the support bar to the retainer. Then, do the same for the left side.
- Step 16: Reinstall the bolts. Insert them by hand to avoid cross-threading and use a socket to tighten them.
- Step 17: Keep the washer in an upright position.
- Step 18: Plug in the washer and turn on the water supply. Then, check if the error is resolved.
Faulty Main Control Board
The main control board is the most important component in your washer as it controls a variety of functions, such as filling, draining, and spinning. It supplies the motor with enough power to speed up or slow down.
Unfortunately, the main control board is a very sensitive component. If there is a surge of electrical current, it may overheat and burn out.
In cases like this, it may lose its ability to control the motor of your washer.
If the component is defective, you can no longer repair it. Instead, you will have to replace the part with a new one.
Lucky for you, the main control board on a washer is relatively inexpensive. You can also replace it on your own.
What you’ll need:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Thin tool (e.g. putty knife or flathead screwdriver)
- New main control board
Solution: To replace the main control board of a Samsung washer, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the washer, and turn off the water supply.
- Step 2: Move the washer around and unthread the screws on the back cover.
- Step 3: Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the locking tabs on the cover.
- Step 4: Tilt the cover upwards and lift it. Remove it and set it aside.
- Step 5: Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the screws on the control panel.
- Step 6: Tip the control panel forward.
- Step 7: Place both of your thumbs on the cover and the rest of your fingers on the locking tabs. Gently push down with your thumbs and pull up the cover with your fingers.
- Step 8: Take a photo of the electrical connections. Use it as your reference during the reassembly process.
- Step 9: Unplug all of the electrical connectors. Press the tab on each connector and pull out the wire to disconnect it.
- Step 10: Remove the wiring harness from its retainer.
- Step 11: Unthread the mounting screws of the main control board.
- Step 12: Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry the tabs on the panel and remove the main control board.
- Step 13: Pry the tabs around the interface board to release it.
- Step 14: Align the knob shaft on the new interface board with the hole and gently push it down.
- Step 15: Align the new main control board with the screw holes and press down along the edges until the locking tabs snap back into place.
- Step 16: Reinstall the mounting screws of the main control board.
- Step 17: Plug all the electrical connectors. Use your photo as a reference.
- Step 18: Insert the wiring harness back into its retainer.
- Step 19: Reattach the cover of the control board.
- Step 20: Flip the control panel back into place and reinstall its mounting screws.
- Step 21: Mount the cover panel and secure it with its screws.
- Step 22: Plug the washer back in. Turn it on, and check if the fix cleared the error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing all the possible issues that can prompt a 3e error will narrow down your search for the root cause of the problem. Start by checking for minor issues like an overloaded drum, obstructions, and loose connections in the motor drive assembly.
If none of these issues seem to be causing the error, you can use a multimeter to test the drive motor assembly. A lack of continuity indicates that it is defective and requires a replacement.
Measuring your laundry load is the best way to know if you’re overloading your washing machine. On a Samsung washer, a large load is 3 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of your unit’s capacity.
If you don’t want to measure your laundry load, you can stick a hand inside the drum to see if there’s enough space.
From the top of the washer to the top of the laundry pile, there must be at least a hand’s width of space. If there isn’t enough space for your hand to fit, your washer is overloaded.
Overloading puts strain on the motor of your washer, which may prompt it to display a 3e code. You don’t need to request service because you can resolve the error by removing items inside the drum and redistributing the load evenly.
In the case of component failure, you must replace the defective part to clear the error. Although intimidating, you can perform the fix yourself with a few tools and little repair knowledge.
Practicing better laundry habits can help prevent the 3e error from recurring. For starters, you should stop overloading the washer and start measuring your laundry.
Additionally, you put more thought into how you load and distribute your clothes inside the drum. As much as possible, you want to avoid putting extra strain on the motor to prevent it from overheating and burning out.