Why does a Samsung washer stop mid-cycle? (And How to Fix It Fast)

Laundry is a necessary task we often put off until the very last minute. When we do have the energy for it and the washer keeps stopping mid-cycle, it makes laundry more frustrating than it actually is.

Whether it’s caused by bad laundry habits or faulty components, we’ll help you get to the root cause of the problem and show you how to troubleshoot it. 

The fix can be as simple as plugging in the cord properly or rebalancing the washer. If a component is defective, a replacement is necessary, which you can do safely by yourself with a few tools and our step-by-step guide.

Why does a Samsung washer stop mid-cycle?

A Samsung washer stops mid-cycle during a power outage or interruption. If power fluctuates, your washer may detect a fault, causing it to stop abruptly.

Mid-cycle stops also occur due to errors in draining, filling, or spinning. Fix the underlying problem to keep your washer functioning properly.

How to Fix a Samsung Washer That Stops Mid-Cycle

If your Samsung washer stops mid-cycle, confirm that it is plugged in properly. Inspect the cord for signs of damage and replace it if necessary.

Check for an error code and identify its meaning. Mid-cycle stops can be caused by a variety of reasons, including draining, filling, and spinning issues.

Below, we delve into all possible causes of mid-cycle stops in your Samsung washing machine. We also offer easy-to-follow instructions to help you troubleshoot the problem by yourself.

Issues	Solutions	Instructions
Insufficient Power	Reset the circuit breaker.	• Identify the circuit causing the problem. • Unplug all the appliances in that circuit. • Flip the switch to the OFF position to reset the breaker. Then, move it back to the ON position. • If the circuit still trips after the reset, you have a bad breaker. Contact a licensed electrician who can diagnose and resolve the problem for you.
	Replace a faulty power cord.	• Unplug the cord, and move the washer to access the back panel. • Unthread the screws on the back cover and pry the tabs with a thin tool. Lift up the cover to remove it, and set it aside. • Push the locking tabs on the noise filter cover, and carefully pull the cover out. • Disconnect the electrical plug, and unthread the ground screw. • Pull out the damaged power cord from its retainer slot. • Align the new cord into the retainer and push it down.  • Reinstall the ground screw and reconnect the electrical plug. • Align the filter cover with the locking tabs and push it down until it locks into place. • Mount the back cover with its screws. Plug the washer back in and turn it on. • Run a cycle to confirm that the fix resolved the problem.
Excess Suds	Clean the excess suds in the drum.	• Wait for the suds to settle in your washer. • Run a spin cycle. Wash the laundry without detergent. • Take the clothes out of the washer if it no longer has the slimy and chalky film. Then, put them in the dryer or hang them out to dry. • Run a Self-Clean cycle or manually clean your drum.
	Clean the detergent drawer.	• Unplug the washer, and pull the detergent drawer all the way out.  • Press the release lever on the softener compartment and pull out the drawer to remove it. • Remove the softener compartment and liquid detergent guide. • Rinse the drawer and all its components in warm water. Use an old toothbrush to remove detergent residue. • Scrub the drawer recess using an old toothbrush, and wipe it dry with a clean cloth. • Align the drawer with the rails and gently push it back in. • Plug the washer back in, and turn it on.
	Add the right amount of detergent.	• Turn on the auto-dispensing function. Press Options and rotate the dial to select Dose per Wash. • Set the amount of detergent that will be dispensed automatically. Choose between High, Med, or Low. • Press OK to confirm.  • Repeat the same steps to adjust the amount of softener for auto-dispensing. • Open the detergent drawer and rotate the cover clockwise to open it. • Pour the liquid detergent and softener into their respective compartments. • Reinstall the covers and rotate them clockwise to close. • Close the detergent drawers shut. Run a cycle to confirm that the problem is resolved.
Drain Malfunction	Remove any kinks and obstructions on the drain hose.	• Turn off the washing machine, and unplug it. • Remove the laundry inside the drum. Move the washer around to access the back. • Locate the drain hose and disconnect both ends. Place one end in a bucket and run water through it to confirm that it is blocked. • Use a fish wire to push obstructions to the other end of the hose. Reinstall the drain hose once it’s clear of any clogs. • Inspect the hose for kinks and bent areas. Straighten them out if you find any. • Plug in the washer and turn it on. Run a cycle to confirm that the washer is draining properly.
	Clean the debris filter.	• Turn off the washer, and unplug its cord.  • If your unit stopped during a hot cycle, let the water cool down for an hour or more before draining it. • Open the access cover on the bottom corner of the washer. • Add a towel under the cover to absorb accidental spills and prevent water damage. • Pull out the drain hose and take off its cap. Then, drain the water into a shallow container. • Close the cap and empty the container once it fills with water. Repeat the process until the water stops draining. • Reinstall the cap and push the hose back in.  • Rotate the debris filter counterclockwise and pull it out to remove it. • Remove any visible obstructions on the filter and the housing. • Clean the filter with a soft brush and rinse it under running water. • Insert the filter into the housing. Turn it clockwise to secure it. • Close the access cover. Run a cycle to confirm that the problem is resolved.
Unbalanced Load	Measure your laundry load.	• Determine the best laundry load for your washer based on its capacity in cubic feet. • To add a small load, fill up ⅓ of the drum. That’s a pound of laundry per cubic foot of your washer’s capacity.  • To add a medium load, fill up about half of the space in the drum. That should be 2 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity. • To add a large load, fill up ¾ of the drum. That’s 3 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity.
	Redistribute the laundry.	• Open the washer door. • Check if the drum is overloaded or underloaded by placing your hand inside.  • There should be a hand’s width of space between the top of the tub and the top of the load.  • Check the laundry tags on the items. Take out the pieces that are not suitable for the washing machine. • Remove or add more items to keep a balanced load. • Redistribute the clothes more evenly and loosely inside the tub. • Open the user manual to confirm if the selected cycle is appropriate for your laundry load. Change the settings if necessary. • Restart the spin cycle.

Insufficient Power 

One of the first things you need to check if your washer keeps on stopping mid-cycle is the power supply. If there’s a disruption in the flow of electricity, it could cause your unit to turn off and on.

Or, your washer won’t turn on at all.

Whether it’s caused by a loose connection, a defective power cord, or a tripped breaker, you need to troubleshoot the issue to prevent damage to your appliance.

Solution: Make sure the washer’s power cord is plugged in properly and has no signs of damage. Look for signs of an overloaded circuit and reset it if necessary.

Reset the circuit breaker.

A tripped breaker can cause power to go out in one part of the house instead of the entire household. Aside from your washer’s mid-cycle stops, you might notice lights flickering and outlets malfunctioning.

Resetting the circuit breaker should help resolve the problem. If it no longer trips after the reset, you most likely overloaded the breaker. 

You can prevent it from happening again by moving appliances to a different circuit. Or, you can opt to run a few appliances at a time.

To check and reset a circuit breaker, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify the circuit that is causing the problem.
• Step 2: Unplug all the appliances in that circuit.
• Step 3: Flip the switch to the OFF position to reset the breaker. Then, move it back to the ON position.

Quick Note: • If the circuit still trips after the reset, you most likely have a bad breaker. It will not only damage your appliances but will also pose safety hazards in your household. • We recommend hiring a licensed electrician who can diagnose and resolve the problem for you.

Replace a faulty power cord.

Inspect the power cord for signs of damage, such as tears, holes, and exposed wiring. If you find any, don’t plug the cord back in.

Instead, turn off the power at the circuit breaker and unplug the cord. Then, look for a replacement for your Samsung washer model.

To replace a defective power cord on a Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the cord.
• Step 2: Move the washer to access the back panel.
• Step 3: Unthread the screws on the back cover.
• Step 4: Use a thin tool to pry the locking tabs.
• Step 5: Lift up the cover to remove it, and set it aside.
• Step 6: Push the locking tabs on the noise filter cover, and carefully pull the cover out.
• Step 7: Disconnect the electrical plug.
• Step 8: Remove the ground screw.
• Step 9: Pull out the damaged power cord from its retainer slot.
• Step 10: Align the new cord into the retainer and push it down.
• Step 11: Reinstall the ground screw.
• Step 12: Reconnect the electrical plug.
• Step 13: Align the filter cover with the locking tabs and push it down until it locks into place.
• Step 14: Mount the back cover with its screws.
• Step 15: Plug the washer back in and turn it on.
• Step 16: Run a cycle to confirm that the fix resolved the problem.

Excess Suds (SUD)

Adding the wrong kind of detergent or the incorrect amount will create excess suds during cycles. Your Samsung washer will attempt to correct this by stopping for a few minutes to let the suds dissipate.

If there’s too much foam in the drum, your washer might display a SUD error code before stopping mid-cycle and automatically draining water. 

It will help prevent your unit from overflowing (Samsung washer overflowing), which can flood your laundry room and damage property.

Solution: First, clean the drum and the detergent drawer to get rid of the excess suds. Then, pour in the right detergent and the appropriate amount for your laundry load.

Clean the excess suds.

If you have too much foam in the drum, your laundry most likely isn’t clean yet. It probably has a slimy and chalky film, which can develop unpleasant smells if you don’t clean it right away.

To get rid of the excess suds in the drum and the laundry, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Wait for the suds to settle in your washer.
• Step 2: Run a spin cycle.
• Step 3: Wash the laundry without detergent.
• Step 4: Take the clothes out of the washer if it no longer has the slimy and chalky film. Then, put them in the dryer or hang them out to dry.
• Step 5: Run a Self-Clean cycle or manually clean your drum.

Clean the detergent drawer.

After removing the suds in the drum, clean the detergent drawer to prevent excess foam from forming when you run a new cycle.

To clean detergent residue in the drawer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the washer.
• Step 2: Pull the detergent drawer all the way out. 
• Step 3: Push the release lever on the softener compartment and pull out the drawer to remove it.
• Step 4: Remove the softener compartment and liquid detergent guide.
• Step 5: Rinse the drawer and all its components in warm water. Then, use an old toothbrush to remove any detergent residue.
• Step 6: Clean the drawer recess with an old toothbrush.
• Step 7: Wipe the opening with a dry cloth.
• Step 8: Align the drawer with the rails and gently push it back in.
• Step 9: Plug the washer back in, and turn it on.

Add the right amount of detergent.

Your high-efficiency washer will form too much foam when you use the wrong kind of detergent or the incorrect amount. According to Samsung, any brand will do as long as it’s not a natural or organic formula because it can damage the washer.

If your Samsung washer has an auto-dispensing system, use it so you won’t have to carefully measure the detergent after every cycle.

To use the auto dispenser on your Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Tap Options and rotate the dial to select Dose per Wash.
• Step 2: Set the amount of detergent that will be dispensed automatically. Choose between High, Med, or Low.
• Step 3: Press OK to confirm. 
• Step 4: Repeat the same steps to adjust the amount of softener for auto-dispensing.
• Step 5: Open the detergent drawer and rotate the cover clockwise to open it.
• Step 6: Pour the liquid detergent and softener into their respective compartments.

• Step 7: Reinstall the covers and rotate them clockwise to close.
• Step 8: Close the detergent drawers shut.
• Step 9: Run a cycle to confirm that the problem is resolved.

Drain Malfunction (5C or 5E)

A Samsung washer 5C or 5E error code indicates a drainage problem. In other units, it may appear as Sc or E2.

If your washer has a drain malfunction, it may stop right before a spin cycle, which is the process of extracting excess moisture from your clothes to reduce drying time.

Solution: Clean the drain hose and straighten out any kinks on the line. For front-load washers, drain the water in the drum using the emergency drain hose and clear the debris filter of any obstructions.

Remove any kinks and obstructions on the drain hose.

Obstructions and kinks in the connections are the most common causes of drainage issues on a Samsung washer. Lucky for you, a thorough cleaning is all you need to unclog the hose and resolve its drainage problem.

To clean a blocked drain hose on a Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the washing machine, and unplug it.
• Step 2: Remove the laundry inside the drum.
• Step 3: Move the washer around to access the back.
• Step 4: Locate the drain hose and disconnect both ends. Place one end in a bucket and run water through it to confirm that it is blocked.
• Step 5: Use a fish wire to push obstructions to the other end of the hose.
• Step 6: Reinstall the drain hose once it’s clear of any clogs.
• Step 7: Inspect the hose for kinks and bent areas. Straighten them out if you find any.
• Step 8: Plug in the washer and turn it on.
• Step 9: Run a cycle to confirm that the washer is draining properly.

Clean the debris filter.

If you have a front-load Samsung washer, the drain malfunction might be caused by a clogged debris filter. Dirt, lint, and other objects can get stuck in the filter, which restricts the flow of water when your washer is trying to drain it out.

To clean a debris filter on a Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the washer, and unplug its cord. 

If your unit stopped during a hot cycle, let the water cool down for an hour or more before draining it.

• Step 2: Open the access cover on the bottom corner of the washer.
• Step 3: Add a towel under the cover to absorb accidental spills and prevent water damage.
• Step 4: Pull out the drain hose and remove its cap. Then, drain the water into a shallow container.

Close the cap and empty the container once it fills with water. Repeat the process until the water stops draining.

• Step 5: Reinstall the cap and push the hose back in. 
• Step 6: Rotate the debris filter counterclockwise and pull it out to remove it.
• Step 7: Remove any visible obstructions on the filter and the housing.
• Step 8: Clean the filter with a soft brush and rinse it under running water.
• Step 9: Insert the filter into the housing. Turn it clockwise to secure it.
• Step 10: Close the access cover.

Tips: • Clean the debris filter after 30 to 40 loads, which should be every 2-3 months depending on your usage. If you use the washer frequently, you should clean the filter more often. • If the drain hose is frozen in winter, pour hot water into the hose to clear the ice blockage.

Unbalanced Load (UE or Ub)

Add too much laundry in the drum and your washer won’t spin at all. If you don’t add enough, your washer might start shaking violently during cycles.

Spinning problems occur when you overload or underload your washer, and either way, your unit may stop during cycles in an attempt to correct the problem. 

Solution: If the washer can’t redistribute the load and rebalance the washer, you must do it manually.

Measure your laundry load.

To prevent spinning problems caused by an unbalanced load, you should start measuring your laundry. 

Load sizes will depend on the capacity of your washer in cubic feet. However, no matter the size of your unit, your laundry load should never be less than 3 pounds.

• A small load fills up ⅓ of the drum. That’s a pound of laundry per cubic foot of your washer’s capacity. 

• A medium load takes up half of the space in the drum, which should be 2 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity.

• A large load should fill up ¾ of the drum. That’s 3 pounds of laundry per cubic foot of the washer’s capacity.

For example, a small load on a standard washer with 4 cubic feet of capacity will weigh 4 pounds. A medium load will weigh 8 pounds, while a large load will weigh 12 pounds.

Redistribute the laundry.

Instead of just tossing the laundry inside the washer, you should distribute them evenly and loosely around the drum. 

To rebalance your Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the washer door.
• Step 2: Check if the drum is overloaded or underloaded. There should be at least a hand’s width of space between the top of the tub and the top of the load. 
• Step 3: Check the laundry tags on the items. Make sure everything inside is suitable for the washing machine.
• Step 4: Remove or add more items to keep a balanced load.
• Step 5: Redistribute the clothes more evenly inside the tub.
• 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.

Tips: • Level your washer properly to prevent it from wobbling and shaking violently. • Avoid washing heavy items on their own (e.g. sheets, towels, and blankets). • Avoid twisting large laundry items. • Never push or pack the laundry in the drum.

Frequently Asked Questions

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