It's ruddy good!
It's ruddy good!
By Sophie Whitaker, Personal Finance Writer
Picture this: it's a Sunday evening, you've got a full load of school uniforms and work shirts in your Samsung washing machine, and halfway through the cycle the drum stops dead. No spin, no drain, just a blinking error code on the display and a growing sense of dread. For millions of UK households, a broken washing machine isn't a minor inconvenience — it's an immediate crisis.
Samsung washing machines are among the most popular in British homes, praised for their innovative features and reliable performance. But like any appliance that runs multiple cycles every week, they do develop faults — and repair bills in the UK can be significant.
That's where Row.co.uk comes in. We've been insuring household appliances and gadgets since 2009, with over 200,000 items currently insured across the UK. We're proud to be an Insurance Choice Awards winner, and we're rated 4.72 out of 5 on Reviews.io by verified customers. Samsung washing machine cover starts from just £1.49 per month, and you can cancel at any time with no long-term lock-in.
Samsung washing machine insurance from Row.co.uk covers both mechanical breakdown and accidental damage, meaning whether your machine develops an internal fault or suffers an unexpected mishap, you're protected. Here's exactly what's included:
Over 200,000 items insured. Rated 4.72/5 on Reviews.io. Cancel any time, no lock-in.
Get an Instant Quote →Samsung washing machines are well-engineered, but certain faults do appear repeatedly across their range — particularly as machines age beyond two or three years of regular use. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch problems early.
One of the most frequently reported Samsung washing machine faults is worn drum bearings. You'll typically notice a loud rumbling or grinding noise during the spin cycle, which gradually gets worse over time. It's particularly common on front-loading models including the Samsung WW series. Left untreated, bearing failure can damage the drum shaft and inner tub, significantly increasing repair costs. This is a labour-intensive repair — typically two to three hours of engineer time.
Samsung machines communicate faults via alphanumeric error codes. The 4E code indicates a water supply issue (often a blocked inlet filter or kinked hose), the 5E code signals a drainage problem (frequently a blocked pump filter), the UE code means an unbalanced load has prevented spinning, and DE1 indicates a door lock fault. The 5E drainage fault in particular is very common across Samsung's EcoBubble and AddWash ranges.
The rubber door seal on front-loading Samsung washing machines can develop tears, mould, or hardening over time — particularly in households that don't leave the door ajar between washes. A damaged seal leads to water leaking onto the floor during cycles. Replacement is relatively straightforward but does require the right part and some technical confidence to fit correctly.
The main PCB (printed circuit board) is the brain of a modern Samsung washing machine. Faults here can manifest as erratic behaviour, programmes not completing, or the machine failing to respond to button presses entirely. Control board failure is more common in older machines and in areas with unstable power supply. This is one of the more costly repairs, as genuine-specification boards are expensive components.
Samsung's distinctive AddWash door — the small secondary door on models like the WW90T684DLH — is innovative but the hinge mechanism can wear or crack with heavy use. This is a Samsung-specific fault unique to this range and typically requires a specialist part.
On Samsung machines with brushed DC motors (common across their mid-range lineup), the carbon brushes gradually wear down with use. Symptoms include the drum failing to spin, [REDACTED]ive vibration, or a burning smell. This is a relatively affordable repair when caught early but can cause secondary motor damage if ignored.
Washing machine repair costs in the UK vary considerably depending on the fault, the age of the machine, and your location. Here's a realistic breakdown based on current UK market rates:
Some Samsung washing machine faults — such as cleaning the pump filter, clearing a blocked drain hose, or replacing carbon brushes — are achievable for a competent DIYer using YouTube guides and parts sourced from suppliers like eSpares or Ransom Spares. Parts alone for these repairs typically cost £10–£50. However, more involved repairs such as drum bearing replacement or PCB work genuinely require professional tools and expertise. Attempting these without experience risks causing further damage and potentially voiding any remaining warranty. For most households, professional repair is the safer and often more cost-effective route once you factor in the risk of secondary damage.
Understanding the difference between these three types of protection will help you make an informed decision about what's right for your circumstances. They are not the same thing.
New Samsung washing machines in the UK typically come with a 1-year parts and labour warranty, with Samsung also offering a separate 5-year motor warranty on many models (covering the Digital Inverter Motor specifically, not the whole machine). The manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship — it does not cover accidental damage, and it applies only during the initial ownership period. Once you've owned the machine for a year, standard whole-machine cover from Samsung ends.
Extended warranties are often sold at the point of purchase by retailers such as Currys or AO.com, or by Samsung directly. They typically extend manufacturer-style cover for 2–5 years. However, they generally do not include accidental damage, and they must be purchased upfront — often at a considerable cost. If you sell the machine or move home, terms around transferability vary. They also typically cannot be taken out once the original warranty has expired.
Appliance insurance is fundamentally different: it's a monthly subscription you can start and stop as needed, it covers both breakdown and accidental damage, and it's available on appliances up to six years old — meaning you can take out cover on a machine you've owned for several years, not just a brand new purchase. There's no requirement to commit upfront, and multi-item discounts mean you can cover your entire household affordably.
| Feature | Manufacturer Warranty | Extended Warranty | Row.co.uk Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical breakdown | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accidental damage | ✗ | Usually not | ✓ |
| Available after purchase | ✗ | Sometimes | ✓ (up to 6 years old) |
| Monthly payments | N/A | Usually annual | ✓ |
| Cancel any time | N/A | Often restricted | ✓ |
| Parts & labour included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Samsung washing machine insurance from Row.co.uk starts from just £1.49 per month. The exact monthly premium depends on the value and age of your machine — newer, higher-specification Samsung models such as the WW11BB944DGB EcoBubble AI or AddWash series will attract a slightly higher premium than a basic model, reflecting their higher replacement value and more complex component sets.
All policies include parts, labour, and call-out fees with cover up to £2,000 — comfortably covering Samsung's full range, which retails from around £400 up to over £1,200 for premium models.
If you'd like to insure more than one appliance or gadget, Row.co.uk offers a 5% discount on your second item and up to 20% off when you insure multiple items together. Many households find it makes excellent sense to cover their washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, and fridge-freezer under the same provider — both for the saving and the simplicity of managing everything in one place.
Samsung entered the UK washing machine market in earnest during the 1990s and has grown to become one of the most recognisable appliance brands in British retail. Today, Samsung washing machines are stocked by every major UK retailer — Currys, AO.com, John Lewis, Argos, and more — and the brand is consistently among the top sellers by volume.
Samsung's washing machine range spans a wide spectrum, from affordable front-loading machines suited to smaller households, through to large-capacity premium models packed with smart technology. Key ranges include:
Samsung washing machines are generally well-regarded for their wash performance and feature set. Their Digital Inverter Motors are covered by a 10-year manufacturer warranty in many cases, reflecting Samsung's confidence in this specific component. A well-maintained Samsung washing machine in regular household use can reasonably be expected to last 8–12 years, with proper care potentially extending this further.
Regular maintenance genuinely extends the working life of your Samsung washing machine and reduces the likelihood of faults developing. Here's specific advice for Samsung models:
Samsung front-loaders have a pump filter (usually located behind a small panel at the bottom-front of the machine) that catches lint, coins, and debris. If left uncleaned, it's the most common cause of the 5E drainage error. Twist it out, rinse under a tap, and replace. Takes two minutes and prevents a significant proportion of service call-outs.
Samsung machines include a dedicated Drum Clean programme (look for it in your cycle selector). Running this monthly — without laundry, with a specialist washing machine cleaner or 500ml of white vinegar — removes bacteria, soap residue, and limescale from the drum and inner workings. Samsung actually recommends this in their user manuals.
The detergent drawer in Samsung machines can accumulate a build-up of fabric softener residue and mould surprisingly quickly. Remove the drawer completely (there's usually a release tab) and rinse it thoroughly every few weeks. A blocked drawer can affect detergent dispensing and cause the fabric softener compartment to flood into the prewash section.
After each wash, run a finger around the inner lip of the door seal and remove any debris — particularly on AddWash models where the secondary door seal can also trap items. Leave the main door ajar when the machine is not in use to allow the drum and seal to dry out, which significantly reduces mould growth.
Samsung's EcoBubble technology is highly effective at low temperatures, which means overdosing on detergent is a common mistake. Too much detergent creates [REDACTED] foam, which can trigger the machine's foam detection and interrupt cycles. Samsung recommends using 30–50% less detergent with EcoBubble models than the packaging suggests for cold washes.
An unlevel Samsung washing machine is the most frequent cause of the UE (unbalanced) error and [REDACTED]ive vibration during spin. Use a spirit level on top of the machine and adjust the four feet until it sits perfectly level. This also reduces bearing wear over time.
In hard water regions of the UK (much of the South East and East of England), limescale builds up inside the drum, heating element, and pipes faster than the machine's drum clean cycle alone can manage. Using a dedicated washing machine descaler every three months, or fitting an inline water softener, will meaningfully extend the life of heating elements and internal hoses.
To be eligible for appliance insurance with Row.co.uk, your Samsung washing machine must meet the following criteria:
If your Samsung washing machine is approaching or over six years old, it falls outside appliance insurance eligibility. It's worth considering cover earlier in the machine's life, while it remains eligible, rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
Cover from £1.49/month. Parts, labour, and call-out included. Rated 4.72/5 on Reviews.io. Cancel any time.
Get an Instant Quote →Cover starts from £1.49 per month with Row.co.uk. Your exact premium depends on the age and value of your Samsung washing machine. You can get an instant, no-obligation quote at row.co.uk in under a minute.
All claims are made online. To make a claim, log in to the customer service centre at row.co.uk and submit your claim through your account. Our UK-based team will take it from there and arrange the appropriate repair or resolution.
If an engineer determines that your machine cannot be economically repaired, a replacement may be provided subject to policy terms. You won't simply be left without cover — Row.co.uk aims to ensure you're back up and running.
Yes. Row.co.uk's appliance insurance covers both mechanical or electrical breakdown and accidental damage. This is one of the key advantages over a standard manufacturer warranty, which covers manufacturing defects only.
Absolutely. Row.co.uk insures a wide range of household appliances and gadgets. If you insure a second appliance you'll receive a 5% discount, with multi-item discounts of up to 20% available. Many customers insure their washing machine alongside their tumble dryer, dishwasher, and fridge-freezer.
Yes, Row.co.uk appliance insurance is available to UK residents only. Your Samsung washing machine must also have been purchased new from a UK retailer.
The right choice depends on your situation. Insurance offers greater flexibility — you can start it at any point while the machine is under six years old, pay monthly, cancel any time, and it includes accidental damage cover. Extended warranties are typically purchased upfront at the point of sale and rarely include accidental damage. For machines beyond their manufacturer warranty period, insurance is often the only practical option.
A well-maintained Samsung washing machine in regular household use typically lasts between 8 and 12 years. Samsung's Digital Inverter Motor, found in many of their models, is covered by a manufacturer warranty of up to 10 years on the motor specifically, which reflects its designed longevity. Regular maintenance — particularly keeping the pump filter clean and running drum clean cycles — meaningfully extends service life.
Error codes indicate a specific fault within the machine. If that fault is due to mechanical or electrical breakdown (for example, a failed drain pump triggering a 5E code), it would be covered under your policy. To make a claim, log in to the customer service centre at row.co.uk. It's worth checking your Samsung user manual first, as some error codes relate to simple user-resolvable issues such as a kinked hose or overloaded drum.
About Row.co.uk — Row.co.uk is a trading name of BIG Warranties Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 798998). We have been protecting UK households since 2009, insuring over 200,000 appliances and gadgets. Our UK-based team handles all claims in-house. Rated 4.72/5 on reviews.io.