Codes / Samsung / Washer

Samsung 5C: The washer is not draining at the correct speed, or not at all.

Samsung's washer code list says 5C (also shown as nd, 5E, SE, SC or 1 5C) is a no-drain error: water is not draining at the correct speed, or at all. The list gives no steps in that row; it points to Samsung's own guide for a washer that will not drain, and the checks below are from that guide.

Source: Samsung washing machine information and error codes, last updated by Samsung 2024-09-04; read 2026-10-17. 5 owner checks listed.

Fault isolation, in Samsung's order

• Owner check from Samsung's page
• Observation Samsung asks you to make
• Request service: technician only beyond here
• Code should clear

The checks, with Samsung's detail

1. 1If a hot cycle just ran, wait about an hour

   Samsung's drain guide says that after a hot cycle such as Pure Cycle or Sanitize, wait about an hour for the water to cool, to avoid injury.

2. 2Turn the washer off and check it is level

   Samsung says an unlevel washer may not drain correctly. It also says not to remove the screw on the back that holds the drain hose; if that screw is missing, replace it with any screw that fits, and if the holder is missing, service is required.

3. 3Inspect the drain hose

   Samsung calls incorrect installation the most common cause of drain problems, and lists: 6 to 8 inches into the standpipe or sink; secured so it cannot slip further in; not forming an airtight seal; not kinked, bent or damaged; at least 18 inches high (24 inches for a wash basin) and no higher than 96 inches (35 inches for a wash basin); and no drain hose extension kit in use.

4. 4Clean the pump filter (front load models only)

   Samsung says top loaders have no removable pump filter, and that a clogged filter reduces draining performance.

5. 5Turn the washer on and start a cycle

   Samsung says the washer should drain at the beginning of the test cycle.

6. Is it still not draining?

Same code, different meaning on other brands

None of the other brands in the verified set (Bosch, LG, Whirlpool) uses 5C or nd/5E/SE/SC/1 5C on the official pages read for this site. If your display shows 5C on a different brand, do not apply these checks; use the lookup or that brand's own support page.

Same symptom on other brands

• OELG washer: The washer cannot drain the water from the wash cycle.
• F9 E1Whirlpool washer: Long drain time: the washer cannot drain correctly.
• E24Bosch dishwasher: The dishwasher is not draining properly; the drain filter is blocked.
• F21Whirlpool washer: A drain problem.
• E22Bosch dishwasher: The dishwasher filter is blocked.
• E25Bosch dishwasher: The drain pump is blocked, or its cover is loose or missing.

Other Samsung codes here

• 4CSamsung washer: Water is not entering the washer correctly.
• SUDSamsung washer: Too many suds: the washer pauses, then continues on its own.
• 1ESamsung washer: Moisture was detected where it should not be, or the sensor is faulty.
• 4C2Samsung washer: The cold supply water is extremely hot, usually swapped hoses.
• E2Samsung washer: A panel button is stuck or continuously pressed.
• 9C1Samsung washer: The electrical supply to the washer is irregular.
• dCSamsung washer: The door is not detected as closed and locked.
• SDCSamsung washer: The detergent drawer is not fully closed.

That is 8 of the 14 Samsung washer codes verified here. The rest, with every display variant in one table, are on Samsung washer error codes.

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