Samsung Washing Machine Error Code 5C
The washer cannot pump water out at the expected speed. The usual culprit is a blocked pump filter or drain hose rather than a failed pump. On the display, 5E is sometimes misread as SE.
Also shown as: 5E, nd, SC
Common causes
- Debris (pump) filter clogged with lint, coins or buttons
- Drain hose kinked, frozen or blocked
- Drain hose installed too high or pushed too far into the standpipe
- Drain pump failure
What to check, in order
- Switch the machine off. On front-load models, open the small flap at the bottom front and clean the debris filter over a shallow tray.
- Check the drain hose runs straight to the drain without kinks.
- Make sure the end of the drain hose is not sealed airtight into the drain pipe.
- Run a spin-only cycle to test drainage. If the filter and hose are clear and it still will not drain, the pump itself is the likely fault.
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first — a filter cleaned, a hose straightened, taps opened. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Close the door, plug the machine back in and restore the water supply.
- Run a short rinse and spin, or the shortest wash programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared before (filling, washing, draining or spinning).
- If the cycle finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns at the same stage, write down the code and that stage before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.
When to call a professional
Most cases are solved by the checks above. Book a technician if any of these apply:
- The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
- You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
- Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
- The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.
When you call, give the brand, the code 5C, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Parts that may be involved
Drain pumpDrain hoseDebris filter
Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.
Questions people ask about 5C
What does 5C mean on a Samsung washing machine?
5C means: Water is not draining. The washer cannot pump water out at the expected speed. The usual culprit is a blocked pump filter or drain hose rather than a failed pump. On the display, 5E is sometimes misread as SE.
Can I fix Samsung 5C myself?
Start yourself: the checks on this page cover the causes you can reach without opening the machine up. If they point to a faulty part, testing or replacing it is usually a technician job.
How do I clear Samsung 5C?
Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.
Sources checked
- Samsung support: washing machine information codes
- Samsung support: dishwasher information codes
- Samsung support (US): dishwasher troubleshooting
The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.