What Remote Start Does on a Samsung SmartThings Washer
If you want to start a wash cycle from your phone, Remote Start is the SmartThings feature that makes it possible.
It lets a compatible Samsung washer accept a command from the SmartThings app after the machine is powered on and connected correctly.
This guide explains how to enable remote start on Samsung SmartThings washer models, what requirements must be met first, and why the option sometimes does not appear.
It also covers the exact app and washer settings that matter most.
Before You Begin
Not every Samsung washer supports every SmartThings feature, so the first step is confirming compatibility.
You will need a Samsung account, the SmartThings app, a Wi-Fi network, and a washer model that supports remote control or remote start.
- A compatible Samsung washer with Smart Control, Remote Start, or Wi-Fi support
- SmartThings app installed on an iPhone or Android device
- Samsung account signed in on the app and on the washer if required
- Stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection in the laundry area
- Washer powered on and paired to SmartThings
If your washer is not connected to Wi-Fi yet, complete pairing first.
Remote Start cannot be enabled until the appliance is added to SmartThings and online.
How to Enable Remote Start on Samsung SmartThings Washer
Once the washer is connected, the process is straightforward.
The exact labels vary by model, but Samsung typically uses similar settings across its Bespoke, front-load, and top-load connected washers.
- Open the SmartThings app.
- Tap your Samsung washer from the device list.
- Open the washer controls or device settings.
- Look for Remote Start, Smart Control, or Remote Control.
- Turn the setting On.
- Confirm any on-screen prompts related to permissions or pairing.
On many models, the washer itself must also have its remote control mode enabled from the control panel.
If the app shows the feature is available but the washer will not accept commands, check the physical control panel for a matching button or icon.
How the Washer Must Be Set Up on the Control Panel
Samsung washers often require a local confirmation on the appliance before remote commands are accepted.
This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental starts when the door is open or the cycle is unsafe to begin.
Depending on the model, you may need to:
- Press and hold the Remote Start or Smart Control button
- Wait for the indicator light to turn on
- Keep the washer door closed
- Make sure the drum is empty or the cycle is ready to begin
Once Remote Start is enabled on the machine, you can use SmartThings to choose a cycle, adjust options, and begin the wash from your phone.
Some settings, such as temperature, spin speed, or delay end, may remain available only while remote mode is active.
How to Start a Cycle Remotely
After enabling the feature, starting a cycle remotely usually takes only a few taps.
This is the part most users want when searching for how to enable remote start on Samsung SmartThings washer models.
- Open SmartThings.
- Select your Samsung washer.
- Choose a cycle or review the current settings.
- Tap Start or Remote Start.
- Confirm the command if prompted.
If the washer is ready, the cycle should begin within moments.
If the app says the appliance is unavailable, return to the troubleshooting section below.
Why Remote Start Might Be Missing in SmartThings
When the feature does not appear, the issue is usually one of a few common causes.
Most are easy to fix without a service call.
The washer is not fully connected to Wi-Fi
SmartThings features depend on a solid connection.
If the appliance was paired but dropped offline, Remote Start may disappear until the connection is restored.
Firmware or app version is outdated
Samsung often improves SmartThings appliance support through software updates.
Update the SmartThings app and, if available, the washer firmware through the device settings.
Remote control is disabled on the washer
Many models require Smart Control to be manually activated on the appliance before the app can send commands.
The cycle is not in a remotely startable state
Safety logic can prevent remote operation if the door is open, the washer is mid-cycle, or a setting is incompatible with remote launch.
Troubleshooting Steps That Usually Fix the Problem
If you still cannot enable remote start, walk through the basics in order.
These steps resolve most setup problems with Samsung connected washers.
- Power cycle the washer by turning it off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on.
- Check Wi-Fi signal strength in the laundry room and move the router closer if needed.
- Reopen SmartThings and confirm you are signed into the correct Samsung account.
- Remove and re-add the washer if the device appears offline or control settings are missing.
- Update the SmartThings app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Reset network settings on the washer if Samsung support recommends it for your model.
If you recently changed your router, Wi-Fi password, or network name, re-pairing is often necessary.
Connected appliances can lose authentication after a network change even if other household devices reconnect normally.
Model Differences to Watch For
Samsung uses different terms across product lines.
One model may say Remote Start, while another uses Smart Control or Remote Operation.
The feature behavior is similar, but the label and button location may vary.
- Front-load washers often place remote controls near cycle selection options.
- Top-load washers may require a dedicated Smart Control button.
- Bespoke models may expose more settings inside the SmartThings device card.
Because model-specific steps differ, the washer manual remains the best reference for button names and indicator lights.
Samsung’s support pages and the SmartThings help documentation can also clarify feature availability by model number.
Best Practices for Safe Remote Use
Remote control is convenient, but it works best when you use it consistently and safely.
Samsung designs these features around user confirmation for good reason.
- Keep the washer door closed before issuing a remote start command
- Do not leave detergents or laundry items in an unsafe position inside the drum
- Confirm the correct cycle before starting from your phone
- Use the feature only when the appliance is connected and stable on Wi-Fi
- Check for alerts in SmartThings if the washer stops or pauses unexpectedly
For households using automations, SmartThings routines can also help coordinate laundry timing with home schedules, but remote start still depends on the washer’s local confirmation and safety rules.
When to Contact Samsung Support
If you have confirmed compatibility, updated the app, reconnected Wi-Fi, and enabled Smart Control on the washer but still cannot use remote start, the issue may be model-specific or hardware-related.
Samsung Support can verify whether your exact model supports the feature and whether a service update is needed.
Have your model number, firmware version, and SmartThings app version ready.
Those details help support teams determine whether the problem is configuration, connectivity, or a washer-side fault.
