What Does Error Code 5C Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?
Clean the drain pump filter by opening the hatch at the bottom left of the machine, unscrewing the filter cap, removing any debris, rinsing the filter under a tap, and refitting it — this resolves the majority of 5C errors (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
When a Samsung washing machine displays the 5C error code, it means the control board has detected that water is not draining from the drum correctly. The machine monitors how long drainage takes, and if water remains after a set period, it stops the cycle and shows this code to prevent flooding or damage to internal components.
You may notice the drum still contains water when the error appears, the machine has paused mid-cycle, or the door is locked and will not open. In some cases you may also hear the drain pump running continuously without the water level dropping.
The good news is that the most common causes of a 5C fault are straightforward blockages that you can clear yourself without any specialist tools. Working through the steps below in order will resolve the problem in the majority of cases.
Causes
- Blocked drain pump filter — The drain pump filter traps lint, coins, hair clips, and other small items before they reach the pump. Over time this filter becomes clogged and restricts water flow enough to trigger the 5C code.
- Kinked or blocked drain hose — If the drain hose running from the back of the machine to the standpipe or sink is kinked, crushed, or partially blocked by debris, water cannot exit freely. This is especially common when the machine has been pushed back against a wall after installation.
- Blocked household standpipe or sink drain — The blockage is not always inside the machine — if the standpipe or the sink it drains into is partially blocked, water backs up and the machine cannot drain. Running water down the sink or standpipe separately will confirm whether this is the cause.
- Faulty or obstructed drain pump — Small hard objects such as coins or broken glass can pass through the filter and jam the pump impeller, preventing it from spinning. You may hear a humming noise from the pump as it tries and fails to turn.
- Defective pressure sensor (water level sensor) — The pressure sensor tells the control board how much water is in the drum. If the sensor or its connecting hose is faulty, the machine may incorrectly believe water is still present even after successful drainage, triggering a false 5C code.
- Wiring or control board fault — In less common cases, a damaged wiring connection between the drain pump and the control board, or a fault on the board itself, can cause the machine to report a drainage error even when the pump and hose are clear.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Prepare the machine and drain residual water
Switch the machine off at the power button and unplug it from the wall. Place a shallow tray or several old towels on the floor in front of the bottom access hatch. Open the hatch, pull out the small emergency drain hose, remove its cap, and let the remaining water drain into the tray before you proceed.
- 2
Clean the drain pump filter
Once the water has drained, slowly unscrew the round filter cap anti-clockwise. Pull the filter out and remove any lint, coins, hair, or debris caught in it. Rinse the filter thoroughly under a running tap, check that the filter housing cavity is also clear, then refit the filter and tighten the cap firmly to prevent leaks.
- 3
Inspect the drain hose for kinks and blockages
Pull the machine away from the wall and trace the drain hose from the back of the machine to where it connects to the standpipe or sink. Straighten any kinks and ensure the hose is not crushed. The end of the hose should sit no higher than 100 cm from the floor — if it is looped too high, water cannot flow out against gravity.
- 4
Check the household standpipe or sink for blockages
Pour a bucket of water directly into the standpipe or run the tap into the sink the machine drains into. If it drains slowly or backs up, the household drain is the problem rather than the machine itself. Use a standard drain unblocker or call a plumber to clear it before running the washing machine again.
- 5
Check the pump impeller for obstructions
With the filter removed, shine a torch into the filter housing and look for the pump impeller — a small plastic fan visible at the back of the cavity. Try turning it gently with your finger. It should rotate freely; if it is stiff or jammed, carefully remove the obstruction with long-nose pliers. Do not force the impeller as the blades are fragile.
- 6
Run a test cycle
Refit the filter cap, close the access hatch, and plug the machine back in. Select a short rinse and spin cycle and stay nearby to watch for leaks around the filter hatch. If the cycle completes without the 5C code reappearing, the fault is resolved. If the code returns, move on to the next step.
- 7
Reset the machine
If the error persists after clearing all blockages, try a full reset by unplugging the machine from the wall socket and leaving it unplugged for at least five minutes. This clears any stored fault state in the control board. Plug back in and run the rinse and spin cycle again. If 5C still appears, the fault is likely a failed pump, pressure sensor, or control board issue requiring a service technician.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If you have cleaned the filter, cleared the hose, confirmed the household drain is free, and removed any visible obstruction from the pump impeller, but the 5C code continues to appear, the fault is likely internal. A drain pump that hums but does not move water, or one that is completely silent during the drain phase, usually needs to be replaced — this involves dismantling part of the machine and is best handled by a service technician.
You should also call a service technician if you notice water leaking from around the pump area after reassembly, if the drum door remains locked and you cannot safely access the filter, or if the error code appears immediately at the start of a cycle before any water has even entered the drum, which points to a pressure sensor or wiring fault rather than a blockage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still open the door when the 5C error is showing?
If there is water in the drum, the door lock will remain engaged as a safety measure. Use the emergency drain hose in the bottom access hatch to drain the water first. Once the drum is empty the door should release, though on some models you may need to power cycle the machine before the lock disengages.
How often should I clean the drain pump filter on my Samsung washing machine?
Samsung recommends cleaning the drain pump filter approximately once a month if you use the machine frequently, or at least every three months for average household use. If you regularly wash items that shed a lot of lint or pet hair, clean it more often. A quick clean takes less than ten minutes and prevents the majority of 5C faults.
The 5C error appeared mid-cycle and there is water in the drum — what should I do first?
Do not try to force the door open. Switch the machine off, unplug it, and use the small emergency drain hose behind the bottom access hatch to drain the water into a tray. Once the drum is empty you can safely open the door, remove the laundry, and then work through the filter and hose checks described in the steps above.
Is error code 5C the same as SC or 5E on Samsung machines?
Yes — on older Samsung washing machine displays the same drainage fault may appear as SC or 5E depending on the model and display type. The cause and the fix are identical regardless of which version of the code your machine shows. All the steps in this guide apply equally to SC and 5E.
How much does it cost to replace a Samsung washing machine drain pump?
A genuine Samsung drain pump part typically costs between £20 and £50 depending on the model. If you are comfortable with basic appliance repair, it is a job some homeowners tackle themselves using a guide specific to their model. If you prefer to have a service technician fit it, expect to add a call-out and labour charge on top of the part cost.