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Samsung Washing Machine Error Code FL

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Door lock failure — cannot complete lock engagement

The most common cause of the FL error on a Samsung washing machine is door lock solenoid burned out (~50% of cases); start with: check for clothing in the door.

💰 DIY cost: $40–$90 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$300 Save $110+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code FL on the display panel
How the FL code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

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

Door lock failure — cannot complete lock engagement.

The control board sends power to the door lock and waits to confirm the interlock has physically latched, usually via a feedback switch. FL fires when that confirmation never arrives within the expected window, meaning the mechanism failed to complete engagement. Unlike DE, which reports the door sensed as open before a cycle, FL indicates the washer attempted to lock but the solenoid, latch, or relay did not achieve a confirmed locked state, blocking cycle start.

Models affected: Front-load washers with an electronic door interlock; the FL code applies most directly to front-loaders such as the WF-series (e.g. WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, WF42H5000AW, WF50BG8300AV) rather than top-load models.
What owners report: Owners commonly report FL appearing right as a cycle tries to start, often after a garment or gasket fold blocks the latch. Reseating the door firmly or clearing trapped fabric sometimes clears it, but a code that returns after restart usually points to a worn lock assembly.

What Causes Error Code FL?

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

  1. 1
    Door lock solenoid burned out 50% of cases
  2. 2
    Door lock mechanism jammed by clothing 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Control board door lock relay failure 20% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code FL

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

    Check for clothing in the door

    Pull back the door gasket and look for items caught in the lock area.

  2. 2

    Test the door lock assembly

    The lock clicks audibly when engaged. If no click when power applied, the solenoid has failed.

    🔩 Samsung door lock assembly ($40–$90)
  3. 3

    Replace door lock assembly

    Straightforward replacement accessible from inside the door frame.

How to Reset Error Code FL

Close door firmly and restart. If FL returns, the lock assembly needs replacement.

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 → Symptom guide: Washer won't start →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If new door lock doesn't resolve FL, the control board's lock relay or wiring has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$300

Related Error Codes

DE
Door not properly closed or door lock failure
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

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

GE Appliances logo
GE Appliances Dishwasher FL
Flood switch activated — water in base tray

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 HE Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature SUD Excessive suds detected

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error FL appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the door issue behind FL will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes FL on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is door lock solenoid burned out (50% of cases), door lock mechanism jammed by clothing (30%), then control board door lock relay failure (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
FL keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored FL fault; if it returns, the door problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check for clothing in the door, then test the door lock assembly — 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 FL? +
A DIY repair typically runs $40–$90 in parts, versus $150–$300 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $110. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error FL? +
FL is documented on Front-load washers with an electronic door interlock; the FL code applies most directly to front-loaders such as the WF-series (e.g. WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, WF42H5000AW, WF50BG8300AV) rather than top-load models.. 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: June 10, 2026.

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