Samsung Washer 5C Error Code (5E) — What It Means & How to Fix It

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The Samsung washer 5C error code means your Samsung washer cannot drain the water out of the drum. Samsung groups it with 5E: 5C and 5E are the same code, and on some models it also appears as SE, SC or nd. The washer usually stops mid-cycle, often with the drum still full of water, and it will not spin until the water is gone. The first safe thing to try is to switch the washer off, unplug it, and check that the drain hose at the back is not kinked — then clean the drain pump filter.

If the hose looks fine, the most likely cause is a blocked drain pump filter. This guide follows Samsung’s own advice and tells you when to stop and call a professional.

What the Samsung 5C error code means

Samsung’s own US support page lists the code like this: “nd, 5E, SE, 5C, SC, 1 5C: No drain error” — water is not draining from the washer at the correct speed, or at all. Samsung’s UK support page says the same thing in plain words: “A 5E or 5C error code indicates that the washing machine has detected a drainage issue. The most common reason for this error is a blocked filter or a kinked drain hose.”

The code appears in different forms because the letters and numbers can look alike on the display and it varies by model and region. 5C and 5E are the same code; SE, SC and nd point to the same drain fault.

5C usually appears during the drain or spin part of a cycle. The washer stops, drains very slowly, or finishes the wash and then refuses to spin, leaving your laundry sitting in water. One thing Samsung notes is that the buttons on the control panel will be inactive for 3 minutes after the error code appears — so do not keep pressing buttons expecting an immediate response.

What 5C does not mean:

  • It is not a water supply problem. If your washer cannot fill with water, that is a different code — 4C or 4E, the not-filling error.
  • It is not an overflow. Samsung’s overflow codes are OE and OC, which mean there is too much water in the drum — the opposite problem.
  • It is not the same code as LG’s OE. LG uses OE for a drain problem, and Samsung uses 5C. The fault is similar, but the checks are written for your brand, so follow this guide, not a guide for another brand.
  • It does not automatically mean the drain pump is broken. In most cases the cause is much simpler: a blocked filter or a kinked drain hose.

Most likely causes of the Samsung 5C error code

Ranked most common first:

  1. A blocked drain pump filter. The filter at the bottom front of the washer catches lint, coins, hair grips, buttons and other small items before they can reach the pump. Over months of use it can become blocked enough to stop the water draining. This is the single most common cause of 5C.
  2. A kinked or badly installed drain hose. When a washer is pushed back against the wall, the drain hose can bend sharply or get trapped, and a kinked hose cannot carry water away. The hose can also be installed wrongly — pushed too far into the standpipe.
  3. A blockage inside the drain hose. Detergent residue and small items can build up inside the hose itself, narrowing it until the water cannot pass through fast enough.
  4. A problem with the drain pump. If the pump is humming but the water is not moving, something may be stuck inside it. If the pump makes no sound at all when the washer should be draining, the pump may have failed and may need to be replaced.

How to fix the Samsung 5C error code safely

Tools you need: old towels, a shallow tray or baking tray, and a soft brush or old toothbrush. Time: about 30 minutes. Difficulty: Easy — no panels need to be opened and no wiring is touched.

Safety first — stop and read this before you start. Unplug the washer before you touch the filter or move the machine, and wait a few minutes — Samsung notes the control panel buttons stay inactive for 3 minutes after this error appears. Never remove the back or top panels, never touch wiring, and never work on a washer while it is plugged in. If water is leaking through the floor, you can smell burning, or the washer sparks, leave it unplugged and call a professional.

  1. Unplug the washer and wait. Switch it off and pull the plug out. Wait at least 3 minutes, because the control panel remains inactive for that long after a 5C error.
  2. Check the drain hose at the back. Pull the washer away from the wall just far enough to see the hose. Look for sharp kinks, bends or a squashed section, and straighten the hose so water can flow freely. Check that the hose is installed correctly — it should sit in the standpipe without being pushed too far in, and the end should not be blocked. Push the washer back gently, taking care not to squash the hose again.
  3. Clean the drain pump filter. Put towels and a shallow tray under the small access flap at the bottom front of the washer. Open the flap and, if your model has one, pull out the small drain hose and let the remaining water run into the tray. Then turn the filter anticlockwise, pull it out, and remove the lint, coins and debris. Rinse it under a tap and brush it clean. Check inside the housing for anything stuck, then screw the filter back in firmly and close the flap. Keep towels nearby — water will come out when you remove the filter.
  4. Check the drain hose for blockages. If cleaning the filter has not helped, check whether the hose itself is blocked. Look through the end of the hose and, if you can disconnect it safely at the washer end, run water through it to flush out any build-up, then reconnect it firmly and make sure it is watertight.
  5. Reset the washer and run a test cycle. Plug the washer back in and run a rinse and spin, or a short wash, with the drum empty. Watch it drain. If the water drains normally and no 5C code appears, the fix has worked. Run a normal load next and check once more.

When to call a professional

Stop and book a repair if any of these apply:

  • The 5C code comes back after you have checked the hose and cleaned the filter.
  • The pump makes no humming sound, or it makes a loud grinding noise.
  • The filter housing is damaged, the filter will not screw back in, or water leaks from around the filter.
  • The drain hose is split, or the connection at the back is damaged.
  • You cannot move the washer safely — washers are heavy, so get help or call a professional.
  • There is water damage to the floor, a burning smell, or any sparking.

How much does a Samsung 5C repair cost in the USA?

We could not verify a reliable price range for this fault from a named source, so we are not publishing a figure here. Costs vary by area, by model and by what is wrong. Ask for a written quote from a local repairer before agreeing to work.

Parts you may need

Most Samsung 5C problems are fixed without any new parts. If a part is needed, it is usually one of these:

  • Drain pump filter (a replacement filter for your model)
  • Drain hose
  • Drain pump

If you order a part, confirm it matches your exact Samsung model number first. You will find the model number on the label inside the door or on the back of the washer.

Frequently asked questions

Does unplugging my Samsung washer reset the 5C code?

Unplugging for a minute clears the code from the display, but not the cause. If the filter is blocked or the hose is kinked, 5C will come back in the next cycle. Fix the cause first. The control panel buttons stay inactive for about 3 minutes after the error.

Is 5C the same as 5E?

Yes. 5C and 5E are the same code: Samsung lists them together as one no-drain error. On some models the same fault appears as SE, SC or nd. Whichever form you see, these checks apply.

Can I still use my Samsung washer with the 5C code showing?

No. The washer will not spin or finish a cycle while water is left in the drum, and running it again leaves your laundry sitting in dirty water. Fix the drain problem first, then run a test cycle before washing clothes again.

How do I clear the 5C code after fixing it?

Clean the filter, check the hose, then plug the washer back in and run a rinse and spin, or a short wash. The code should clear by itself once the washer drains normally. If it does not clear, repeat steps 2 and 3 above.

Is the 5C error code dangerous?

The code itself is not dangerous. It is a warning that water is not draining. The real risk is water escaping and damaging the floor, so do not ignore the code, and keep the washer unplugged if you can see water coming from the filter area or the hose.

Why does the 5C code keep coming back after I cleaned the filter?

Because the blockage may also be in the hose or the pump. Check the hose again, and check that it is not pushed too far into the standpipe. If the pump makes no sound when it should be draining, it may need replacing.

Sources and last verified

Last verified: 14 November 2026.

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