How to Reset a Samsung Washer: All Methods

Updated · from manufacturer service documentation

A reset clears a stuck code or a paused cycle and gives the washer a fresh start — the right first move once you've already addressed (or ruled out) the underlying cause. It won't fix a genuine part failure on its own.

After a Power Outage (PF Displayed)

If the power fails mid-cycle: while the door is still locked, the washer stays locked until power returns, and if power comes back with the door still locked, the cycle simply resumes where it left off. If the door had unlocked when power was lost, "PF" displays and the washer pauses — press Power Off, then restart the cycle.

Washer Appears to Have Turned Itself Off

If you come back to find the washer off, the Power button may have been accidentally bumped. Reset the cycle and start the washer again, and confirm it's plugged into a live outlet — also check the house fuse or circuit breaker if it won't power back on at all.

Door Won't Unlock With Water Still in the Tub

The tub must be drained before the door can open. Set the rotary dial to Spin Only and press Start/Pause — the washer will drain, and the door will unlock once it's empty.

Full Factory Reset: EEPROM Clear Mode

This clears all stored settings back to factory defaults — the documented use case is after a main PCB replacement, but it also works as a full reset if a simpler method hasn't cleared a persistent issue:

  1. The unit needs to be powered on.
  2. Press the Delay Start, Signal, and Power keys at the same time (same button combo across Frontier 2 models).
  3. All course/option settings return to factory defaults once EEPROM initialization completes.

If the Code Comes Back

If the same error reappears right after a reset, the reset didn't fix anything — it just cleared the display. At that point, work through the specific code's cause list rather than resetting repeatedly. Samsung washer code pages are in production and will be linked here as they publish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "PF" mean on a Samsung washer?

Power Failure — it displays when the door unlocked during a power outage and the washer paused as a result. Press Power Off and restart the cycle to clear it.

Will a power outage make me lose my cycle?

Not necessarily — if the door was still locked when power failed, the washer resumes the same cycle automatically once power returns. Only an unlocked door during the outage triggers the PF pause.

What is EEPROM Clear Mode, and when should I use it?

It's a full factory reset of course/option settings, documented for use after a main control board replacement. It's a more drastic reset than the everyday Power Off method — use it only if simpler resets haven't resolved a persistent issue.

My washer's door won't unlock and there's water in the tub — what do I do?

Set the rotary dial to Spin Only and press Start/Pause to drain the tub; the door unlocks once the water is gone. Don't force the door open with water still inside.

Based on the Samsung service documentation for the WF328AAW washer series (Frontier 2 platform). Last updated: .