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Samsung Washing Machine Error Code AE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Also shown as: AE6, AC

Communication error — main and sub control boards not talking

The most common cause of the AE error on a Samsung washing machine is communication harness loose or damaged (~45% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$250 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$350 Save $150+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code AE on the display panel
How the AE code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

What Does Error Code AE Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?

Communication error — main and sub control boards not talking.

The AE code (also shown as AE6 or AC) fires when the main control board and the sub display/UI board fail to exchange data reliably over their communication harness. The board that detects the dropout halts the cycle, since neither can coordinate wash steps without a confirmed handshake. Unlike sensor or drainage faults, AE points to the boards' interconnection itself — most often a loose or corroded ribbon/harness rather than a mechanical or plumbing problem.

Models affected: Samsung top-load and front-load washers with separate main and display/UI control boards, spanning most current series
What owners report: Owners commonly report AE appearing right at power-up or mid-cycle, sometimes after a move, a power surge, or work near the console. Many find a simple unplug-and-restart clears a one-off glitch, and reseating the harness between the boards often resolves recurring cases.

What Causes Error Code AE?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Communication harness loose or damaged 45% of cases
  2. 2
    Sub/UI board failure 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Main control board failure 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Moisture/corrosion on a connector 10% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code AE

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Power cycle

    Unplug for 5–10 minutes. A transient communication glitch often clears.

  2. 2

    Reseat the inter-board harness

    Remove the top/console panel and firmly reseat the ribbon/harness between the main and UI boards.

    ⚠️ Unplug before opening the console.
  3. 3

    Replace the failed board

    If reseating doesn't help, the UI or main board has failed.

    🔩 Samsung washer UI board ($60–$160) 🔩 Main control board ($100–$250)

How to Reset Error Code AE

Unplug 5–10 minutes and restart. If AE returns, reseat the harness between the control boards.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full Samsung washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the harness is sound and reseating doesn't help, professional board diagnosis identifies which board has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$350

Related Error Codes

9C1
Power supply error — abnormal/low line voltage detected
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code AE appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows AE →

LG logo
LG Dishwasher AE
Leakage detected — water found in base tray
LG logo
LG Washing Machine AE
Leak detected (Aqua error) — water sensed in the base pan

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Samsung Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Samsung Washing Machine repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes

4C Water supply not detected UE Unbalanced load detected OE Drain failure — water not draining LE Motor locked — drum cannot rotate DE Door not properly closed or door lock failure HE Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error AE appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the communication issue behind AE will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes AE on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is communication harness loose or damaged (45% of cases), sub/UI board failure (25%), then main control board failure (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
AE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored AE fault; if it returns, the communication problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then reseat the inter-board harness — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix Samsung Washing Machine error AE? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$250 in parts, versus $150–$350 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error AE? +
AE is documented on Samsung top-load and front-load washers with separate main and display/UI control boards, spanning most current series. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

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