Samsung dC / dE washer code: the door is not detected as closed and locked.

IMMEDIATE ACTION

Check first

Check the latch is secure

Next step

Look for laundry caught in the door

Stop / escalate

Latch or door damaged: request service

THE SHORT ANSWER

Samsung says its door codes (dE, dE1, dE2, dC1, dS, dL and others) mean the door is not detected as closed and locked. Make sure the latch is secure, no laundry is caught in the door, and the door is closed correctly. If you cannot fix it, or the door or latch is damaged, request service. Two exceptions: on some models dC is an unbalanced-load code instead, and the code can appear with no cycle running if Child Lock is on and there is water in the tub.

Based on Samsung’s US support page for washer information and error codes, checked October 10, 2026.

What dC / dE means

Samsung’s code list puts dS, d5, FL, LO, L0, dE, dE1, dE2, dC, dC1, dL and 1 dC under “door”: the door is not detected as closed and locked. Two related groups use similar letters. ddC and dC3 mean the Add Door is not detected as closed and locked, with the same checks. On some models, dC (Samsung marks it with an asterisk) is an unbalanced-load code, not a door code. Codes vary by model, so check your manual.

How it appears: dE, dC or one of the related codes on the display; the same family includes dE1, dE2, dC1, dS and dL.

Check in this order

Make sure the latch is secure. Close the door fully so it latches.
Check that nothing is caught. Look for laundry caught in the door, and take out some of the load if it presses on the door.
Check Child Lock if no cycle is running. Samsung says the code may appear even if you are not running a cycle, when Child Lock is on and there is water in the tub. If the door is not closed or Child Lock is not turned off within 30 seconds, the washer drains the water from the tub. Close the door, or turn Child Lock off.
Rule out an unbalanced load. If your model uses dC for an unbalanced load, spread the laundry out instead: see the UE / Ub page.

If the door code comes back

Samsung says to request service if the problem cannot be corrected, or if the door or latch is damaged. Tell them:

The model number (where to find it).
The exact code (dE, dE1, dC1 and so on) and whether a cycle was running when it appeared.
That the latch is secure, nothing is caught, and whether Child Lock was on.

Door codes and look-alikes

Samsung dC / dE family compared
Code	What Samsung says	Owner steps
dE, dE1, dE2, dC1, dS, d5, dL, FL, LO, L0	The door is not detected as closed and locked	Latch secure, nothing caught, door closed correctly; service if damaged
ddC, dC3	The Add Door is not detected as closed and locked	Same checks as the main door
dC (some models)	Unbalanced load, not a door code	Untangle and spread out the laundry, close the door and press Start
1dC4 (FlexWash)	The rubber button beside the upper washer’s latch is missing	Replacing the button fixes it; no service needed

OFFICIAL MANUFACTURER SOURCE

Where these steps come from.

The code groups, the checks and the Child Lock note come from Samsung’s own US support page.

Samsung: Washing machine information and error codes →

KEEP THE ROUTE SPECIFIC

Use the code, model, and matching symptom together.

Use the Samsung code hub for nearby codes, confirm the exact model, or open the door-lock symptom guide.

Samsung error codes Find washer model number Open door-lock guide