Samsung Dishwasher 5C Error: Meaning, Causes & Safe Checks

5C Check carefully Safe checks first

Quick answer

Samsung dishwasher 5C (or 5E) means the water isn’t draining when it should. Samsung’s checks are that the household drain isn’t blocked, the mesh filter in the bottom of the tub is clean, and the drain hose isn’t kinked. If 5C stays after those checks, contact Samsung support.

Also shown as 5E

What 5C means on a Samsung dishwasher

The water level doesn’t drop when the dishwasher expects it to drain.

Applies to: Samsung dishwashers with a digital display. Models without one use blinking lights instead.

What you might notice

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • Water is leaking from inside the appliance or is near the plug or socket. Don’t touch the plug with wet hands or while standing in water. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Check the sink waste connection

  1. Run the sink tap. If the sink drains slowly, the household drain is blocked, not the dishwasher.
  2. Check the spigot on the sink waste where the dishwasher hose connects isn’t clogged with food debris.
  3. If the dishwasher was just installed or moved, check the blanking plug was removed from that spigot.
  4. If the hose connects to a waste disposal unit, check the plug in the disposal unit’s dishwasher inlet has been removed.

Clean the dishwasher filters

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • Wear protective gloves. Broken glass and sharp debris can collect in the filter and pump area, and it is hard to see.
Dishwasher filter assembly Twist to unlock, lift out Coarse filter Flat fine filter sits flat in the base Wear gloves: glass collects here. Refit until it locks.
Dishwasher filter assembly. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Take out the lower basket.
  2. Twist and lift the filter unit out of the base of the tub, then separate the parts as your manual shows.
  3. Rinse every part under running water. Use a soft brush for stubborn debris and nothing abrasive.
  4. Wipe food remains out of the sump area around the filter opening.
  5. Refit the filters so they lie flat and lock in position. On many models arrows line up when they are locked.

Don’t run the dishwasher without the filters fitted.

Check the dishwasher drain hose

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  1. Where you can see it (usually under the sink), check the drain hose isn’t kinked, twisted, squashed or damaged.
  2. Check its length and the height of the drain connection against your manual. Hoses that are too long, too low or too high drain badly.

Don’t pull a built-in dishwasher out of its housing. If the hose can only be reached that way, ask an installer or engineer.

When to call an engineer

If the checks above don’t clear 5C, or any of the stop signs apply, contact Samsung or a qualified appliance engineer. Have the model and serial number from the rating label ready, and start with Samsung UK support.

Repair or replace?

Most 5C cases are cleared by the safe checks above. If they don’t help, the remaining causes are parts an engineer has to diagnose. We don’t publish repair prices because they vary by area, part and model.

Related problems

Related codes

Questions people ask

What is 5C2?

Samsung’s UK table lists 5C2 as the drain pump failing, running briefly or stalling. Cancel the cycle to force a drain and, with the power off, check the sump under the filter for debris. Contact Samsung if it continues.

Different code or symptom? Use the fault finder, see all Samsung dishwasher codes, or read how Samsung codes work. Not sure it’s safe? Read our safety information.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.