Samsung Washer UR — Unbalanced Load / Spin Rebalancing Fault

What the Samsung UR code means

UR means the washer is rebalancing: it detected an unbalanced drum at the start of spin and is refilling or repositioning to even the load out. It is closely related to Ub / UB and to the older UE code — all point to load balance. The practical difference: UR and UE flag the clothes inside being unevenly distributed, while Ub more often means the machine as a whole cannot balance (an unlevel washer or, on a new install, shipping bolts still fitted). Do not confuse any of these with dc / DC (also an unbalance-related code on some models) or with water codes like 4C. UR is strictly about balance during spin.

Most likely causes (ranked)

Likelihood	Cause	What is happening
Most common	Uneven or tangled load	Clothes bunch on one side, or a single heavy item throws the drum off-balance at spin.
Common	Washing one bulky item alone	A comforter, rug, or mat with no balancing partners cannot settle evenly.
Common	Washer not level	An uneven or soft floor, or unadjusted feet, amplifies normal drum motion into an unbalance.
Less common	Shipping bolts still installed (new machine)	The four transit bolts at the rear were never removed, locking the tub so it cannot flex.
Less common	Overloaded or underloaded drum	A drum stuffed past capacity, or nearly empty, will not distribute weight evenly.
Least common	Worn suspension / shock absorbers or bearing	After years of use, worn dampers or a failing tub bearing let the drum swing too far.

How to fix it, in order

1. Redistribute the load — pause the cycle, wait for the lock to release, open the door, and spread the clothes evenly around the drum walls. Untangle anything bunched.
2. Balance a single heavy item — add one or two towels to a comforter, rug, or lone bulky item so the drum has something to counterweight against.
3. Right-size the load — aim for about two-thirds full; remove items from an overstuffed drum or add a few to a nearly empty one.
4. Level the washer — check with a spirit level and adjust the feet so the machine does not rock; a solid, level floor is essential for front loaders.
5. Confirm shipping bolts are out (new install) — on a recently installed washer, verify the four rear transit bolts were removed. Quick test: open the door and push the drum — it should give slightly like it is on springs; if it feels solid as a rock, the bolts are still in.
6. Restart the spin — press Start and let it spin. If it reaches full speed without the code, the balance issue is resolved.
7. Test empty for mechanical wear — if UR keeps returning with a properly loaded, level machine, run an empty spin. Loud knocking or excessive drum play points to worn suspension or a bearing.

Parts that may be involved

• Shock absorbers / suspension rods — damp drum movement; worn ones let the tub swing and trigger repeated unbalance faults.
• Leveling feet — adjust or replace if the machine cannot be made to sit steady.
• Tub bearing — a worn bearing allows excess drum play and grinding; a bigger repair usually left to a pro.
• Suspension springs — support the tub from above; a stretched or broken spring lets the drum sag off-center.
• Shipping bolts — not a failed part but must be removed on install; keep them for any future move.

Difficulty and time

Beginner-friendly for the usual fix. Redistributing a load, leveling the machine, or removing shipping bolts takes 5–20 minutes with a spirit level and the supplied spanner (or a wrench). Replacing shock absorbers or suspension rods is an intermediate job of roughly 1–2 hours; a tub bearing is an advanced repair that means largely disassembling the washer.

When to call a pro

• The code persists with a correctly loaded, level machine and shipping bolts confirmed out.
• You hear loud knocking or grinding on an empty spin, or the drum has heavy play — likely a bearing.
• The washer walks violently or bangs against the cabinet even with balanced loads.
• You are not comfortable removing the tub to replace suspension or bearing parts.

FAQ

What is the difference between UR and Ub on a Samsung washer?

Both are balance codes. UR means the washer is rebalancing an unevenly distributed load during spin; Ub more often points to the machine itself not being balanced — an unlevel floor or shipping bolts still installed. The checks overlap: fix the load, then level the machine.

My washer is brand new and shows UR — why?

On a new install this is almost always the shipping (transit) bolts. The four bolts at the rear lock the tub for transport and must be removed before use. Push on the drum: if it feels rock-solid with no give, the bolts are still in and must come out.

Can I just keep restarting the spin?

You can, but if the load is genuinely unbalanced the washer will keep flagging UR and may finish clothes too wet. Redistribute the laundry first — that resolves it far faster than repeated restarts and avoids stressing the suspension.

For more Samsung faults, see the Samsung error code hub and every washer fault code in the database. Related Samsung washer codes include the Samsung washer 4C water-supply code and, on other brands, the LG washer UE unbalanced-load code.