How to Fix a Samsung Washer Stuck on Rinse, Fast and Easy
Introduction: Why your Samsung washer gets stuck on rinse
Nothing is more annoying than a load that never finishes, clothes sitting in soapy water, and the clock that never moves. If your Samsung washer stuck on rinse, you are not alone. This happens when the machine cannot drain or trigger the spin, so it repeats the rinse step instead of advancing.
Most causes are simple and fixable at home; common culprits include a clogged pump filter, a kinked drain hose, a faulty door latch, or a water level sensor that needs cleaning. Sometimes a quick power reset clears a firmware hiccup. In the steps below I will show you how to check the drain filter, inspect the hose, test the lid switch, read error codes, and perform a reset, so you can get that washer spinning again without calling a repair tech.
Quick safety checklist before you start troubleshooting
Before you touch anything on a Samsung washer stuck on rinse, unplug it or disconnect power at the breaker. Turn both hot and cold water valves off to prevent flooding. Set towels and a bucket next to the machine before you open the drain filter or emergency drain hose. Wear rubber gloves, avoid standing in water, and keep kids and pets away from the laundry area. If unsure about electrical parts, call a qualified appliance technician.
How the rinse cycle actually works, so troubleshooting makes sense
Rinse is simple in plain language: after the wash, the machine fills with fresh water, tumbles to loosen soap, then drains and spins to remove water. That sequence must happen in order, so a failure at any step will make a Samsung washer stuck on rinse.
Key parts to know, and why they stall the cycle: the water inlet valve, if clogged, prevents proper fill; the pressure switch or water level sensor can falsely report water present; the drain pump or clogged filter stops draining; the door or lid switch blocks the spin; the control board can fail to advance the program. Quick checks, listen for the pump, clear the drain trap, inspect the hose, and run a reset.
Fast fixes that often solve the problem right away
If your Samsung washer stuck on rinse, try these two fast fixes that solve most cases.
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Force a Drain and Spin. Turn the cycle selector to Drain or Drain and Spin, press Start. If your model has buttons, press Spin then Start. Expect the drum to drain and spin within two to five minutes, clearing the stuck rinse and finishing the load.
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Power cycle the machine. Unplug the washer or flip the breaker, wait 60 seconds, then restore power and run a short rinse or spin cycle. This resets the control board, and in most cases the rinse state clears immediately, letting the washer complete its cycle normally.
Step by step diagnostics to find the real cause
Start with safety, unplug the washer and shut off the water supply. Never open the pump area with power applied.
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Check the drain hose, first. Make sure it is not kinked, pinched, or pushed too far into the standpipe. Remove the hose and run water through it to confirm there is no clog. A partially blocked hose can make your Samsung washer stuck on rinse.
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Inspect the pump filter. Front load Samsung washers have an access panel near the bottom. Place a shallow pan, slowly open the filter cap, and clear out lint, coins, or hair. If the filter is full, the machine often stalls during rinse.
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Listen to the drain pump. Run a drain and spin test. If you hear a humming motor with no water movement, the pump may be jammed or failing. Small objects in the impeller are a common cause.
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Verify the door or lid lock. For front loaders, you should hear a click and the lock should stay engaged. Intermittent lock signals can freeze the cycle on rinse.
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Check the pressure sensor hose. Locate the thin air tube to the pressure switch, remove and blow through it. A clogged tube will give false water level readings.
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Read error codes on the display, for example 5C or CL. Note the code, then look it up in the manual. If all checks fail, the likely culprits are the drain pump or control board, call a pro.
Fixing drain and pump issues, the most common cause
Start by unplugging the machine and shutting off the water. On most Samsung front loaders the drain pump filter sits behind a small access panel at the bottom front. Put a shallow pan and towels under the filter, slowly open the cap or turn the filter counterclockwise, and let the trapped water drain. Remove lint, coins, and small clothing pieces, then spin the impeller by hand to make sure it moves freely.
Next clear the drain hose. Detach it from the back, check for kinks, then run water through it into a bucket. If water moves slowly, snake it or use a flexible brush to dislodge grime. Also inspect the standpipe or sink where the hose drains, clogs there can make a Samsung washer stuck on rinse.
To test the pump, put the washer into spin or drain mode and listen for the pump motor. If it hums but does not pump, the impeller may be jammed or the pump is failing. For a multimeter test set to ohms, you should see low resistance across the pump terminals; infinite resistance means the pump is open and needs replacement. If unsure, take photos and call a technician.
Checking the door lock or lid switch and water level sensor
If your Samsung washer is stuck on rinse, the door lock or water level sensor is a common culprit. First unplug the machine, then open the access panel and inspect the door lock assembly for scorch marks, melted plastic, or corroded terminals. During a rinse cycle you should hear the lock click when the door secures; no click often means a failed actuator. Test with a multimeter for continuity, if the switch shows open circuit replace it.
For the water level sensor, locate the small rubber air hose that runs to the pressure switch. Remove it and check for blockages or water inside the tube, then blow through it until you hear a click from the switch. If there is no click or the switch fails a continuity test, swap the switch. Replacement assemblies for most Samsung models cost about $25 to $80 and are straightforward to swap, unplugging connectors and mounting screws.
Resetting the control board and reading Samsung error codes
Power cycle the washer first, this fixes most electronic glitches that leave a Samsung washer stuck on rinse. Unplug the machine or flip the breaker, wait 60 seconds, then restore power and run a Rinse and Spin test cycle.
Error codes appear on the front display as F codes or short codes like 4C, 5C, UE; connected washers may show alerts in the SmartThings app. If the display is blank, check the user manual for LED blink patterns or the service sticker inside the console.
Common codes, and what they mean: 4C or DC means water fill problem, 5C or 5E means drain/pump error, UE means unbalanced load, dE means door latch, tE means temperature sensor, LE means motor or locked rotor. A reset helps for temporary software faults or after power surges; if the same code returns, inspect the pump, hoses, valves, or call a technician.
When to call a repair technician or order replacement parts
If basic fixes fail, call a technician, especially if you see electrical issues, persistent error codes, or the repair requires dropping the control board or motor. Common parts that fail when a Samsung washer is stuck on rinse include the drain pump, water level sensor or pressure hose, main control board, door lock assembly, and water inlet valve. When hiring, pick a licensed appliance repair service with positive reviews, ask about Samsung model experience, request a written estimate and parts warranty, and insist on OEM parts when possible.
Prevention and maintenance to avoid future rinse stalls
Small routines stop the next samsung washer stuck on rinse. Monthly, clean the pump filter and inspect the drain hose for clogs, lint, or kinks. Run a hot tub clean cycle with a washing machine cleaner to dissolve residue, and wipe the water inlet screens and door gasket.
After every load leave the door open to dry, avoid overloading, and use high efficiency detergent to reduce suds. Check the washer is level. If rinse stalls repeat, run diagnostic mode to read sensor codes and replace a failing drain pump or pressure sensor.
Conclusion: Quick checklist and final insights
Quick checklist: restart and run a spin; check lid switch and drain pump filter; clear kinked drain hose; run Samsung diagnostic mode and note error codes; if still stuck on rinse, test pressure switch then replace drain pump or control board. Keep model number handy for parts or tech calls.
