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Samsung Washing Machine Error Code SE

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

Motor tachometer / hall sensor error

The most common cause of the SE error on a Samsung washing machine is hall sensor failure (~65% of cases); start with: replace the hall sensor.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$30 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$380 Save $185+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code SE on the display panel
How the SE code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

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

Motor tachometer / hall sensor error.

SE fires when the motor control board fails to read a valid pulse train from the hall-effect tachometer mounted at the motor rotor. Without a clean speed signal the board cannot regulate acceleration or spin RPM, so it halts to avoid unsafe imbalance. Unlike 3E, which flags broader motor or driver faults, SE points specifically to the sensor itself, its 3-wire harness, or the board's sensor input, rather than the winding or drive stage.

Models affected: Samsung top-load and front-load washers with a hall-sensor-equipped drive motor, including models such as WA50R5400AV, WA45T3200AW, WA54R7600AV, WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, and WF42H5000AW
What owners report: Owners commonly report SE appearing during the transition into spin, sometimes after a load that shifts heavily to one side. A loose or corroded hall-sensor connector is a frequent false trigger, and reseating the 3-wire plug or swapping the inexpensive sensor often clears it for good.

What Causes Error Code SE?

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

  1. 1
    Hall sensor failure 65% of cases
  2. 2
    Hall sensor wiring harness damaged 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Motor control board fault 10% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code SE

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

    Replace the hall sensor

    The hall sensor is a small 3-wire sensor near the motor rotor. It's very inexpensive and quick to replace.

    🔩 Samsung hall sensor ($15–$30)
    ⚠️ Unplug washer and lay on its front to access the motor.
  2. 2

    Check wiring harness

    Inspect the 3-wire harness from hall sensor to control board for damage.

How to Reset Error Code SE

After hall sensor replacement, unplug for 1 minute then restart.

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 hall sensor is replaced and SE persists, the control board signal input for the hall sensor has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$380

Related Error Codes

3E
Motor drive error — motor cannot reach commanded speed
⚠ High Severity
CE
Over-current motor protection — motor drawing excessive current
⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

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

LG logo
LG Washing Machine SE
Hall sensor error — motor speed sensor fault

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 SE appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while SE is active can worsen the sensor fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes SE on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is hall sensor failure (65% of cases), hall sensor wiring harness damaged (25%), then motor control board fault (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
SE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored SE fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — replace the hall sensor, then check wiring 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 SE? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$30 in parts, versus $200–$380 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $185. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error SE? +
SE is documented on Samsung top-load and front-load washers with a hall-sensor-equipped drive motor, including models such as WA50R5400AV, WA45T3200AW, WA54R7600AV, WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, and WF42H5000AW. 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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