Samsung Washing Machine 5C Error
Also shown as: 5E · nd · SC
5C — shown as 5E on some models, and grouped by Samsung with nd and SC — means the water in the drum is not draining away at the right speed, or at all. Samsung's own troubleshooting guide for this code names three usual causes: a clogged drain pump filter, a blocked drain hose, or an incorrectly installed drain hose. All three are checkable at home, in that order.
Safety first
- Unplug the machine before opening the filter panel or disconnecting the hose — you will be working around water and the pump.
- Expect water. Whatever is left in the drum will come toward the filter opening; have towels and a shallow tray ready before you unscrew anything.
- If the water in the drum is hot, let it cool before draining it through the filter.
Common causes
Clogged debris (pump) filter
The filter stops debris from reaching the pump. When it clogs, the machine may fail to drain, leaving clothes wet and stretching cycle times. This is Samsung's first named cause.
Blocked drain hose
Lint and debris build up inside the hose until water cannot get through.
Incorrectly installed drain hose
Samsung's checks: hose height, how it meets the standpipe, and whether it is fastened and unkinked — a hose that sits wrong can stop drainage just as completely as a blockage.
Frozen hose in cold weather
Samsung's information-codes page adds: make sure the drain hose is not frozen.
Step-by-step checks
- Clean the drain pump filter (front-loaders)Turn off and unplug the machine and take the laundry out. The filter sits behind the small access panel at the front bottom of the machine. Put a towel underneath to catch spilled water, unscrew the filter cap, remove the filter, and rinse it under running water to clear the debris. Reinsert the filter, secure the cap tightly, and run a test cycle to confirm the machine drains.
- Check the drain hose installationMake sure the hose is securely fastened with clips; that it runs at least 60 cm above the floor; that the standpipe fully covers the hose; and that the hose is not bent, kinked or obstructed. Samsung also asks that the hose be straightened all the way to the drain system and positioned correctly for its connection type.
- Clear a blocked drain hoseWith the machine off and unplugged and the drum empty, pull the machine away from the wall. Disconnect the hose at both ends, remove the blockage with a suitable tool or by flushing with water, reconnect it securely, and run a test cycle.
- Restart as Samsung directsSamsung's Latin guidance for this code: turn the washer off, check the level of the machine, inspect the drain hose, clean the pump filter (front loaders), then turn the washer back on and start a cycle.
Where the debris (pump) filter lives on a typical Samsung front-loader: behind the small access panel at the front bottom of the machine — Samsung's own description of the location. Your model's panel may sit on the opposite side.
When to call a technician
If 5C persists after the filter and hose are clean and correctly installed, Samsung's guide points inside the machine: the drain pump itself may be damaged or obstructed, or the water level sensor may not be functioning — both are service checks, and its conclusion for a code that survives these steps is to contact Samsung Support.
Stop and call sooner if the pump makes a loud grinding noise, if you can see a damaged hose or pump housing, or if water is leaking from underneath the machine.
Model differences
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| 5C vs 5E | Same drainage fault, different display by model. Samsung groups 5C with 5E, nd and SC. |
| Front-loaders | Have a cleanable debris (pump) filter behind the front-bottom access panel — step 1 applies. |
| Top-loaders | Samsung's Latin guidance marks pump-filter cleaning as front loaders only. On a top-loader, work through the hose checks instead. |
| Model series | Samsung's 5C/5E guide states it applies to most Samsung washing machines, including the WF, WA and WW series. |
One-page checklist — 5C
- Machine unplugged, towels ready
- Debris filter removed, rinsed, refitted tightly
- Hose fastened with clips
- Hose height at least 60 cm
- Standpipe fully covers the hose
- Hose straight, no kinks, flushed clear if blocked
- Test cycle drains fully
Official Samsung references
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the debris filter?
Behind the small access panel at the front bottom of the machine — that location is from Samsung's own 5C/5E guide. It applies to front-loaders.
How high should the drain hose be?
Samsung's guide specifies the hose should be at least 60 cm above the floor, securely fastened, with the standpipe fully covering the hose.
5C or 5E — are they different faults?
No. They are the same drainage fault displayed differently across models; Samsung groups them together with nd and SC.
The filter and hose are clean but 5C keeps coming back. What is left?
Per Samsung's guide: the drain pump (damage or obstruction) and the water level sensor are the remaining checks, and they are service jobs — contact Samsung Support.
Can I keep running the machine with 5C showing?
The machine cannot drain, so a cycle cannot finish properly. Work through the filter and hose steps first; they cover Samsung's three named causes.