Samsung Dishwasher 4C — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as 4E on some models.
The dishwasher isn't receiving enough water — start with the shut-off valve under the sink and the supply line before suspecting any failed part.
What this code means
On Samsung dishwashers, 4C (4E on older displays) is a water-supply error: the unit opened its fill valve but didn't measure the expected amount of water arriving. As with the washer version of this code, the source is usually upstream of the machine — a partially closed valve, a kinked supply line, or low household pressure.
4C is standard on current Samsung dishwashers. If your panel shows blinking lights rather than a code readout, count the pattern and check your model's manual — some compact models signal supply errors by LED pattern instead.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Shut-off valve under the sink partially or fully closed | Very common | Yes — no tools |
| Kinked or pinched water supply line | Common | Yes — visual check |
| Low household water pressure (Samsung specifies roughly 20 psi minimum) | Occasional | Partly — test other taps |
| Hot water supply below temperature triggering long fills | Occasional | Yes — run sink hot tap first |
| Failed water inlet valve on the dishwasher | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Open the cabinet under the sink and confirm the dishwasher's shut-off valve is fully open — it's commonly half-closed after plumbing work.
- Follow the supply line from the valve to the dishwasher as far as you can see, checking for kinks or sharp bends.
- Run the kitchen tap: if flow is weak there too, the problem is household pressure or a supply issue, not the dishwasher.
- Run the hot tap until it's properly hot before starting a cycle — a long-cold supply line can stretch fill times on some cycles.
- Power-cycle the dishwasher at the breaker for one minute, then start a fresh cycle to see if the code returns.
When to call a technician
- The valve is open, pressure is fine at the sink, but the dishwasher still won't fill — the inlet valve or its wiring has likely failed.
- You hear a buzz from the unit at the start of the cycle with no water entering.
- The code alternates with a leak (LC) code, which needs professional eyes before running more cycles.
Typical professional repair cost: Dishwasher inlet valve replacement typically costs $120–$230 including labor.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the water shut-off valve for my dishwasher?
Almost always under the kitchen sink, on a branch from the cold supply line — a small quarter-turn or multi-turn valve feeding a flexible line that disappears toward the dishwasher.
Can hard water cause the 4C code?
Indirectly, yes. Scale can constrict the inlet valve and its filter screen over time, reducing flow until fills time out. If you're in a hard-water area and the unit is several years old, mention this to the technician.
Will the 4C code clear by itself once water is restored?
Usually you'll need to cancel and restart the cycle, or power-cycle the unit at the breaker. Once it completes a normal fill, the code is gone.
Related Samsung codes
- Samsung Dishwasher LC Moisture reached the leak sensor in the dishwasher's drip pan — sometimes a real leak, but false alarms from a recent move, a spill, or even high humidity are well known.
- Samsung Washer 4C Your Samsung washer isn't getting water — usually a closed tap, kinked fill hose, or clogged inlet screen rather than a broken machine.
- Samsung Washer 5C The washer can't drain — nine times out of ten the culprit is a clogged debris filter or a blocked drain hose, both of which you can clear yourself.
- Samsung Washer UE The load inside the drum is unbalanced, so the washer stopped before spinning at full speed — usually fixed by rearranging the laundry, not by repairs.
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