What Does Error Code 5E Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?
Clean the drain pump filter at the bottom front of the machine — remove the access panel, unscrew the filter cap, clear any debris, and refit it securely, then restart the cycle (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
When your Samsung washing machine displays the 5E error code, it means the machine attempted to drain but could not empty the drum within the allotted time. The washer's control board monitors how long the drain pump runs, and if water remains in the drum after that window closes, it stops the cycle and raises the fault code to protect the motor and drum bearings from damage.
You will typically notice the drum still contains water, the machine has paused mid-cycle, and the display is showing 5E (sometimes written as SE on older displays). The spin phase cannot begin until the drum is empty, so the laundry will remain wet until the fault is resolved.
The good news is that the majority of 5E faults are caused by a blocked pump filter or a kinked drain hose — both of which you can check and fix at home without any specialist tools.
Causes
- Blocked drain pump filter — The pump filter traps lint, coins, hair grips, and other small items before they reach the pump impeller. Over time this debris builds up and restricts water flow enough to trigger the 5E code.
- Kinked or blocked drain hose — If the drain hose has been pushed too far into the standpipe, is bent sharply behind the machine, or has a partial blockage inside it, water cannot flow freely to the drain. Even a partial restriction can be enough to cause a timeout fault.
- Blocked household standpipe or sink drain — The fault is not always inside the washing machine itself. If the standpipe or the sink it drains into is partially blocked, water backs up and the machine cannot empty. You may notice slow drainage elsewhere in the same area.
- Faulty drain pump — If the pump impeller is jammed by a foreign object or the pump motor has failed electrically, it will not move water regardless of how clear the filter and hose are. A failed pump often produces a humming noise without any water movement.
- Wiring or connection fault between pump and control board — Loose or corroded wiring connectors on the drain pump harness can interrupt the signal from the control board, causing the pump to run intermittently or not at all. This is less common but worth checking if the pump itself tests as healthy.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Cancel the cycle and prepare the machine
Press and hold the Start/Pause button to cancel the active programme. Place a shallow tray and some old towels on the floor directly in front of the machine — when you open the filter, residual water will spill out. Turn the machine off at the wall socket before you begin.
- 2
Clean the drain pump filter
Open the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. You will see a short emergency drain hose with a cap and, next to it, the round filter cap. Pull out the emergency hose, remove its cap, and let the water drain into your tray. Once empty, turn the filter cap anticlockwise and pull it out. Remove all lint, coins, and debris, rinse the filter under a tap, then refit it firmly and replace the hose cap.
- 3
Check the drain hose position and condition
Pull the machine forward slightly and inspect the drain hose at the back. It should enter the standpipe no more than 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) and must not be kinked or crushed against the wall. If the hose is inserted too deeply, water can siphon back into the drum. Straighten any kinks and secure the hose at the correct depth using the plastic guide clip supplied with the machine.
- 4
Test the standpipe and household drain
Pour a bucket of water slowly into the standpipe and watch whether it drains away freely. If it drains slowly or backs up, the blockage is in your household plumbing rather than the machine. Use a standard drain cleaner or a plumber's snake to clear the standpipe before running the washer again.
- 5
Run a short test cycle
Refit the filter, close the access panel, and push the machine back into position. Turn the power on and select a quick rinse-and-spin programme. Watch and listen — the pump should run audibly and the drum should be empty within a few minutes. If the 5E code clears and the cycle completes, the fault is resolved.
- 6
Inspect the pump for a jammed impeller
If the code returns and you can hear the pump humming but no water moves, a foreign object may be jamming the impeller. With the machine unplugged, remove the filter again and use a torch to look into the pump housing. You can carefully insert a finger or thin implement to feel for and remove any obstruction. Do not force the impeller — if it will not turn freely, the pump likely needs replacing.
- 7
Power cycle the machine as a final reset
Once you have addressed any physical blockages, switch the machine off at the wall, wait two minutes, then switch it back on. This clears any stored fault state in the control board. If the 5E code reappears immediately on a new cycle without any obvious blockage, the pump or its wiring should be assessed by 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, confirmed the drain hose is correctly positioned, and verified the household drain is clear, but the 5E code continues to appear, the drain pump itself has likely failed or there is a wiring fault in the pump circuit. A service technician can test the pump motor with a multimeter, check the wiring harness for continuity, and replace the pump if necessary — this is not a straightforward DIY repair as it involves partially dismantling the machine.
You should also call a technician if water is leaking from the filter housing after you have refitted it, if the machine makes a loud grinding noise during the drain phase, or if the drum will not empty at all even after the emergency drain hose has been used.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 5E error code the same as the SE error code on Samsung washers?
Yes, they refer to the same fault. Older Samsung washing machine displays use a seven-segment screen that can make the digit 5 look like the letter S, so SE and 5E are identical drain error codes. The fix is the same for both.
Can I still use my washing machine if it keeps showing 5E?
You should not continue running cycles while the fault is active. If the machine cannot drain, water will sit in the drum and can cause unpleasant odours, mould growth, and additional strain on the pump motor. Resolve the blockage first, then resume normal use.
How often should I clean the drain pump filter on my Samsung washing machine?
Samsung recommends cleaning the filter approximately every month if you do frequent washes, or at least every three months for lighter use. If you regularly wash items that shed a lot of lint or pet hair, monthly cleaning is advisable to prevent the 5E fault from recurring.
Why does the 5E error keep coming back even after I clean the filter?
If the fault returns quickly after cleaning, the most likely causes are a partially blocked drain hose, a slow household standpipe, or a drain pump whose impeller is worn or damaged and can no longer move water efficiently. Check the hose routing and the standpipe first, and if both are clear, the pump may need to be replaced.
Will a 5E fault clear itself, or do I need to manually reset the machine?
The error will not clear on its own — the machine will remain paused until the underlying drainage problem is fixed. Once you have resolved the blockage, you can reset the display by turning the machine off at the wall for two minutes and then restarting it. The code should not reappear if the fault has been fully resolved.