Additionally, using the wrong type of detergent can also lead to this issue. 

However, there’s no need to worry when you encounter this code on the screen. It’s a common occurrence as people sometimes use the incorrect or too much detergent. Plus, for your assistance, Samsung washers are designed to automatically address the problem by dissipating the detergent residue. 

If, by any chance, the issue persists, our guide may help resolve the problem.        

Why is There a SUD or 5UD Error Code in the Samsung Washing Machine?

Samsung Washing Machine displays a 5UD or SUD error code when it detects too many suds agents or foam in the washing machine. To minimize the effect of excessive suds, the washing machine starts using more water while pausing the wash cycle for a moment. 

When the Samsung washer successfully removes the foams, “End” is displayed. This operation by the machine is meant to ensure that the sensing system functions correctly and doesn’t give false readings or errors. Once it dissipates the suds using the water, it continues the wash cycle again. 

So basically, Samsung washing machine dissolves those excessive suds buildups by itself. That’s why you don’t need to stress at all and rest easy. However, sometimes Samsung washer fails to resolve the issue automatically. At this point, you can put in the manual effort to deal with it. 

If you manually run a wash cycle empty without adding any detergents, the suds and soap residue will dissolve and be drained away. 

Other Causes of the 5UD Error Code

While the primary cause of the 5UD error code on the display is typically an excessive amount of detergent or too many suds in the washer, various factors can contribute to excessive suds residue.

Using Wrong Detergent 

Using the wrong type of detergent is also a major cause that leads to excessive SUD residue in the washer, as a result, your Samsung washer will display the 5UD or SUD error code. Samsung highly recommends using a high-efficiency (HE) detergent, which has the better ability to provide effective cleaning and remove stains from the cloth. 

HE detergents are designed to be used in less water and in less amount as well to provide more effective cleaning than regular detergents. They are specifically recommended for high-efficiency washing machines. 

One of the important characteristics of these detergents is they produce fewer suds in comparison to regular detergents. Excessive suds in High-efficiency machines cause problems during the washing and rinsing process. 

Therefore to notify you about a higher amount of detergents, the machine displays a 5UD error message and takes 5 to 10 minutes to dissolve those excessive sud residues.

Clogged Drain Catch

A drain catch or filer is designed to ensure the efficient draining of wastewater from the washer’s tub or drum and protect the drain pump from being clogged and hampered indirectly. Over time, the drain catch or filter can become blocked or clogged by various debris, lint, and other objects. 

As a result, a blocked drain catch restricts the efficient drainage of wastewater, resulting in damp, sudsy clothing and drums. Also, there are more soap residues and suds remaining in the drum during the wash cycle. This can trigger the 5UD or SUD error code to appear on the washer’s display.

Faulty Foam Sensor or Water Level Sensor   

This is the least common cause of excessive foaming problems, but sometimes faulty foam sensors or faulty water level sensors can cause the washer to display the wrong readings. Not just the 5UD error message, a faulty sensor can also potentially display other error messages such as 1E, E7, and 1C. 

However, it is important to keep in mind that an SUD error message is very unlikely to happen from a faulty water or foam sensor.

How to Get Rid of this Error?

For normal cases, your Samsung washer even doesn’t need your intervention. The machine itself will resolve the excessive suds problem. After detecting excessive suds, your washer will pause momentarily to allow them to dissipate.  

This short and effective interruption is only to ensure that the additional suds are under control, and after that, the laundry cycle will automatically continue. If you see this error code quite often, there is nothing to worry about.  

Just rest assured that it’s simply doing its job to ensure the best results for your laundry. All you have to do is just wait for a couple of minutes and see if that Samsung washing machine resumes the cycle on its own or not. 

If issues still persist, then you have to try manually resolving the issue. Here is how you can do it.

Clean the Washing Machine with Distilled White Vinegar

Adding vinegar to laundry has multiple benefits. This aqueous solution has the ability to remove mildew odors and make the clothes brighten and whiten. It is also a good natural fabric softener. 

Apart from these, distilled white vinegar is also a good suds resolver. As the core of the SUD or 5UD error code is the excessive suds in the washer, adding vinegar to your washing machine can remove the soap scum and even the mineral deposits as well. 

Just run an empty wash cycle using hot water and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and then it will make wonders.  All detergent residues, suds, and scums will be dissolved with this simple trick. Also, certain Samsung washers have a designated compartment for fabric softener. If your washer is equipped with one, you need to add distilled white vinegar to this compartment.

Besides, it is also a good idea to use vinegar at the beginning of the rinsing cycle. Especially because distilled vinegar contains 5% acetic acid which can dissolve the soap residue left in the fabric. 

Clear the Drain Pump Filter

Sometimes, a clogged drain pump filter can be the culprit that restricts the wastewater drainage. What happens consequently is that the soap water and suds residue remain in the tub which triggers the 5UD or SUD error code in the Samsung washing machine.  

Therefore, it is recommended to clean the drain pump filter regularly after every 1 or 2 months to allow efficient draining of wastewater. How to clean your pump filter? 

Well, for most of the front-load washers, the task is quite easy. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Turn off the power supply by unplugging the washer from the power source and stop the water supply as well. 

Step 2: Locate the drain system access panel. You may find a door at the front of your Samsung washing machine. Press it gently to open the access panel. 

Step 3: When the access panel is open, you can see a tiny pipe which is an emergency drain hose. Open the cap and let the water pour into a bucket until it gets empty. Then secure on the pipe end with that cap and place the pipe back in its place. 

Step 4: You can see a white cap. Turn it counterclockwise to open it. This is the drain filter you are supposed to open and clean regularly. Now thoroughly clean the drain filter and also the recessed area as well.

Step 5: When cleaning is complete, put the filter back on by securing it tight. Then close the access panel as well. 

Step 6: Plug the washer back into the power source and turn it on. Run a test cycle to ensure that the drain pump is working properly and that the error code is resolved.

Inspect the Drain Hose 

We already saw how a drain filter can obstruct the functionality of the draining system and trap the soap residue and suds in the drum. Bear in mind, that if the drain hose is also blocked by debris and another foreign object, your washer may face a similar consequence. Therefore, you should also check whether the drain hose is blocked or clogged in some way or another. 

If you’ve found some blockage in the drain hose, try to remove the blockage with the help of a coat hanger, pipe brush, or, most effectively a drain snake if you have one. After dislodging and removing the clog, flush some hot water into the drain hose to clear any remaining debris. This way, you can resolve the drainage issue of your Samsung washer.

An important piece of information to remember is that the Samsung washer displays a completely separate error code for the machine that encounters a draining issue. So you only attempt this approach when you sense some sort of drainage problem or as one of the last resorts. 

Similarly, the Maytag washer shows an F09 E01 error code, and Whirlpool displays an E1/F9 Error code over the draining issue.

Conclusion 

You may see the SUD or 5UD code on your Samsung washer’s screen quite frequently. And it is not something to fret about at all. Samsung machine usually does what it needs to do to dissipate those excessive detergent residues. 

You only need to have the patient for a couple of minutes and wait for the washer to start the wash cycle again. If you notice that the washer is not doing automatically what it is supposed to do, then you can take matters into your own hands. 

We have already discussed the manual approaches, which can only be done after the Samsung washer fails to do fixing of the problem automatically.