Samsung washing machine displays error SUD (5UD) or SD (5D) - what does it mean?

Error meaning SUD, SD, 5D

Most often, the appearance of the SUD value on the washing machine display (in some models it may be designated as SD or 5D) is not at all a reason to panic and urgently call a technician. In numerous cases, this indicates that the level of foam inside the device is too high. You can verify this by looking at the loading hatch or opening the powder cuvette. Modern Samsung machines are equipped with foam formation control, and in cases where there is a lot of it, the suppression mode is automatically launched.

The SUD error code that appears indicates that the problem could not be resolved, so the device has stopped working and is waiting for the foam to settle. As a rule, the user does not need to do anything; within ten minutes the washing machine will continue to operate itself. Some models may ask you to press the “Start” button to continue working. But sometimes the amount of foam does not decrease, and the fault message continues to light up continuously on the display. In such cases, you need to know how to fix the breakdown and eliminate the causes of its occurrence.

What does the SUD error mean?

The owners of the unit, who are fond of the English language, can themselves guess the meaning of this combination of letters. Indeed, the code is similar to the English word “Suds”, which translates as “soap suds”. From this we can conclude that the machine reacted to excessive foaming inside the drum.

This guess is correct. When the user sees the “SUD” code on the device’s display, this means that he has entered the mode for eliminating excess foam. The washing procedure stops for 5 or 10 minutes - during this time the excess foam has time to settle sufficiently. Afterwards, the machine resumes the process, proceeds to rinsing, spinning, etc.

But not all models of Samsung washing machines issue the code in this form. The code may look like “Sd” (or “5d”, since it is impossible to distinguish this number from the letter S on the display), meaning the same thing as “SUD”.

Reasons for the SUD error

As a rule, increased foam formation occurs in the following cases:

• Use of hand washing products. They do not contain the defoamer added to automatic powders, so they should not be used in a washing machine.

• The use of counterfeit or low-quality powders.
• The dosage of detergent has been exceeded. In cases where bulky, porous or downy items are washed, it is recommended to reduce the amount of powder. If concentrate powder is used, it must be added in small quantities according to the recommendations on the package.

If there are no complaints about the detergent, the malfunction could arise for the following reasons:

• Blockages in the drain filter, hose or drain. In these situations, during an idle wash, the machine drains water for a very long time, and a SUD error occurs with the detergent. This indicates that the blockage has partially clogged the system; the remaining small hole is sufficient to drain water, but not enough to discharge foam.
• The foam sensor or pressure switch, which controls the foam level in some models, is broken.
• Failure in the electronic control board.

To determine the cause of the breakdown and eliminate it on your own, you need to know what to do in the situation that arises.

Reasons for the error

An excessive amount of foam in the water, which causes the SUD error in a Samsung machine, is caused by various reasons. They can be divided into two reasons - those related to the powder, and problems in the unit itself.

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"Powder" problems:

• Purchasing powder that is not suitable for automatic machines. Due to the large number of revolutions, ordinary hand washing powder will produce an abundance of foam, therefore special substances are added to the automatic washing machine detergent to suppress foaming.
• The powder involved turned out to be of poor quality or counterfeit.
• Too much cleaning agent has been used. When washing bulky items, it is advisable to reduce the volume of powder added. And when using concentrated products, use strictly maintaining the prescribed dosage.

If the powder is 100% correct, then the fault may lie in the device itself:

• The foam sensor that checks the foam level is faulty.
• The pressure switch is broken.
• The drainage system is partially clogged. For example, in a hose or sewer outlet.
• There is a failure in the control board.

How to fix the problem yourself

If more than ten minutes have passed since the error appeared, and the foam level has not decreased and the SUD error continues to appear on the screen, you should turn off the machine, unplug the power plug and remove the laundry. If the hatch is blocked, you must drain the water through the filter or emergency drain located behind the decorative panel at the bottom of the device.

Next, you need to clean the filter under running water, the drain hose and the sewer using a cable, and also free the cuvette from any remaining washing powder. After cleaning, run a new wash cycle without laundry or powder at high temperature to flush out any remaining detergent from the system.

If, after starting a new program, the SUD code appears again or in situations where it lights up on the screen and no foam is visible, this may indicate a malfunction of the foam formation or water level control sensors, which in a number of Samsung washing machines perform the function of controlling the amount of foam.

The foam control sensor cannot be repaired and must be replaced. It is very difficult to do this yourself; it is recommended to contact a service center and call a specialist who will select the appropriate part and install it correctly.

If the water level sensor (also known as a pressure switch) breaks down, you can fix the problem yourself. To do this, you need to perform the following steps:

• unplug the washing machine, unscrew and remove the top cover;
• find the pressure switch located in the corner;

• disconnect the air duct and move it aside;
• disconnect the wires from the faulty part;
• connect a new water level sensor;
• Reassemble the machine in reverse order.

In very rare cases, the SUD error indicates a breakdown of the control board. It is not recommended to repair this part yourself, because it can cause even more damage to the washing machine. In this situation, you need to call a qualified specialist and trust him to fix the problem.

How to find and fix the problem

What to do if a SUD error appears in a Samsung washing machine? The error usually does not interrupt the wash; we wait until it resumes and ends. After its completion, you should check:

• Is the drain filter clogged? You can find it by opening a special small hatch at the bottom of the unit. Remove and clean it according to the operating instructions.
• What type of powder was poured in. Often, beginners simply confuse the types for hand washing and those for automatic machines. A product that is too cheap and of poor quality should be replaced.
• Was there too much powder added? It is recommended to pour on average no more than two tablespoons per 5-6 kilograms of laundry.
• Whether there were fluffy or porous clothes in the drum. Such things foam the powder a lot, and for such washing it should be added less than usual.

It happens that the machine cannot cope with excess foam, constantly giving out “SUD” and not finishing the wash. In such a situation, we interrupt the procedure ourselves - turn on the water drain and remove the laundry from the drum. Then we clean the drain filter and start the drum cleaning mode, while it should be empty. If there is no such mode, run any long-term program, setting the temperature to at least 60 degrees.

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The “SUD” message, called without foam, indicates a breakdown in the machine itself. For prevention, you should try the previous option - clean the filter and drum. If these actions do not change the situation, you will have to send the washing machine for repair.

Bottom line

So, one of the most popular codes that the machine displays on the screen, indicating a malfunction, is the SUD error. It means increased foam formation inside the drum.

As a rule, the owner of the device does not have to call a technician. Such a malfunction indicates improper use of the powder or a clogged drain system.

In some cases, the SUD error code indicates a malfunction of the foam sensor or pressure switch. The first one cannot be repaired; you should call a specialist to replace it; the second one can be changed on your own.

In the rarest situations, this error occurs when the control unit is faulty. In this situation, you should call a qualified technician from the service center to diagnose and carry out repair work.

What does error 5D mean?

Samsung washing machine models are equipped with a foam control function. If there is a lot of it, the machine switches to a mode that helps suppress foam. The 5D error that occurs indicates that it is impossible to reduce the volume of foam - the washer is waiting for the foam to settle naturally. This foam deposition usually takes a long time and depends on the concentration of the powder diluted in water.

All three codes - 5D, SUD, SD - indicate the same malfunction. The designation depends on the machine model.

What to do to fix the problem yourself

If the Samsung washing machine issues code 5D during washing, and the volume of foam in the drum is large, then the following actions must be taken:

1. Wait a little for the foam to settle. Washing will then automatically resume on its own. Some Samsung washing machine models require you to press the wash button;
2. At the end of the washing cycle, clean the drain filter;
3. Remove powder residue by running the washing machine without laundry, selecting a long wash cycle and high temperature;
4. Change the powder to another if a large volume of foam constantly appears in the drum.

But what to do when there is no foam in the drum when the code is displayed:

1. Turn off the machine;
2. Get the laundry. When the door is locked, drain the water through the emergency drain;
3. Clean the drain filter;
4. Start the machine to check the result by selecting the previous mode.

Thoroughly clean the drain and drum of any remaining powder.

What does the code mean?

Usually, when error 5d appears on the display, a large amount of foam is visible in the washing machine. The design of such equipment assumes the presence of a foam control function. In Samsung Diamond washing machines it can be active or passive. If the machine detects a high level of foam, its amount is suppressed in active mode in stages.

When the mechanism is unable to cope with foaming, error 5d appears on the Samsung Diamond washing machine. The mode changes to passive or standby. The technique waits for the foam to settle. The period can be long - it depends on the amount of detergent used for washing.