Samsung Dishwasher 5C — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as 5E, SC on some models.
The dishwasher couldn't pump its water out — the filter and sump catch most of the blame, with the drain hose and a never-removed disposal knockout plug close behind.
What this code means
5C (5E or SC on some displays) is the drain error on Samsung dishwashers: the unit ran its drain pump but the water level didn't drop. Food debris in the filter assembly is the everyday cause; if the code arrived right after a new garbage disposal was installed, the disposal's knockout plug almost certainly never came out.
Drain codes are consistent across Samsung dishwashers from the mid-2010s on. The model label sits on the edge of the door — Samsung's support site has the matching manual if your display differs.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Filter assembly in the tub floor clogged with food debris | Very common | Yes — twist out, rinse |
| Drain hose kinked or pinched under the sink | Common | Yes — visual check |
| Garbage disposal knockout plug never removed (new installs) | Common after installs | Yes — hammer + screwdriver |
| Drain pump failure | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Remove the bottom rack, twist out the cylindrical filter, and lift the mesh plate beneath it. Rinse both and scrub with a soft brush.
- Shine a light into the sump opening and fish out anything solid — bones, fruit stickers, broken glass (use tongs).
- Under the sink, trace the drain hose: no kinks, no crushing from stored items, and a high loop or air gap before it meets the drain.
- If the dishwasher drains into a recently installed disposal, disconnect the hose at the disposal inlet and look through it — if you can't see daylight, unplug the disposal and tap the knockout plug inward with a screwdriver, then retrieve the plastic disc.
- Restore power and run a short cycle to confirm the tub empties.
When to call a technician
- Filter, hose, and disposal path all clear but water still stands in the tub — likely pump failure.
- The drain pump hums or grinds without moving water.
- Water backs up into the sink during the drain phase, which points at household plumbing downstream.
Typical professional repair cost: Drain pump replacement on Samsung dishwashers typically runs $150–$300 including labor.
Frequently asked questions
Is some water in the filter well normal between cycles?
Yes — a small pool in the sump keeps the seals from drying out. The 5C error is about the tub failing to empty during the drain phase, not that residual puddle.
Why did 5C start the day my new garbage disposal went in?
Disposals ship with a solid plug covering the dishwasher inlet, and installers forget it constantly. With the disposal unplugged, knock the plug into the grinding chamber with a screwdriver and pull the plastic disc out. The timing is the giveaway.
How often should the dishwasher filter be cleaned?
Monthly for most households, more if plates go in unscraped. A filter that's never been touched since installation is behind a remarkable share of these errors.
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 Dishwasher 4C 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.
- Samsung Dishwasher OC The dishwasher measured more water inside than any cycle should use — oversudsing fakes it, a stuck inlet valve causes it for real, and a sensor fault lies about it.
- Samsung Dishwasher HC The water inside exceeded the temperature any cycle should reach, which means the heater or its controls are misbehaving — a mains-voltage problem with no safe DIY path.
More: all Samsung dishwasher codes · all Samsung codes · search by symptom