On the covered Samsung dishwasher platform, 9E means low water level error: there is not enough water in the dishwasher. First, empty the dishwasher. Samsung says there is not enough water in the dishwasher. Water pressure should be 20 to 120 psi and the shut-off valve fully open.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung dishwasher code 9E”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Not enough water in the dishwasher
What separates it 9E shows and the tub barely fills, which points to not enough water in the dishwasher
How to confirm Samsung says there is not enough water in the dishwasher
- 2
A supply problem
What separates it The tap or valve is partly closed or the pressure is low
How to confirm Water pressure should be 20 to 120 psi and the shut-off valve fully open
- 3
A filter blocked so water cannot circulate
What separates it 9E appears with water in the tub but the filter is packed with food
How to confirm Remove and rinse the filter and look for debris around the sump before you restart
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the supply valve is fully open
- Whether the dishwasher fills at all
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleEmpty the dishwasher.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung's steps: add detergent and run a normal cycle, and if the error still occurs switch off power at the circuit breaker and request service from Samsung's Support Center.
Empty it
ReversibleEmpty the dishwasher.
Run a normal cycle
ReversibleAdd detergent and run a normal cycle.
Request service
ReversibleIf the error still occurs, switch off power at the circuit breaker and request service.
Check the supply valve behind the kick plate
ReversibleSamsung dishwashers draw water through a valve under the kitchen sink or behind the toe kick. A valve that was nudged a quarter turn closed during plumbing work is the commonest cause of a low-water code, and opening it fully costs nothing.
Look at the inlet screen
ReversibleWith the water off and the hose disconnected at the dishwasher, look at the small mesh screen in the inlet. Rinse away grit, scale or rust and reconnect the hose before you turn the water back on, since a clogged screen restricts the fill without stopping it completely.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Parts named
- Water inlet.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 9E steps are Samsung's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 9E mean on a Samsung dishwasher?+
Low water level error: there is not enough water in the dishwasher.
Is supply pressure related?+
It can be; the range is 20 to 120 psi.
Can a kinked hose cause 9E?+
Yes; a bent inlet hose restricts the fill, so check the hose is straight before you conclude the sensor has failed.
Why does a low-water code appear when the tap works?+
The dishwasher needs a steady flow for a minute or two, not a trickle. A half-open valve or a clogged inlet screen can leave enough pressure at the tap but too little at the machine.
How can I test the supply?+
Disconnect the hose over a bucket, open the valve and time how fast the bucket fills. A few seconds to fill a liter jug is plenty, and a dribble points to the valve, the line or the screen.
Does hard water play a part?+
Scale builds on the inlet screen and the fill valve over the years, so a dishwasher in a hard-water home may need its screen cleaned every year or two.
Could the code mean a leak?+
Not usually, but if you see water around the base, switch off at the breaker and look at the hose connections, since a leak and a low-water reading can occur together.