Quick answer
Inspect the drain hose and clean the pump filter if your model has one.
Safety note
Disconnect power before opening panels or touching wiring. If water is leaking near electricity, stop and call a qualified technician.
Repair videos
Embedded videos use the official YouTube player. They are third-party resources, so match your full model number first and stop before wiring, gas, sealed-system work, or heavy disassembly.
Related problem hub
See more drain problem appliance codes across other brands and appliance types.
What 5C means
On many Samsung washer models, 5C belongs to the drain problem category. The appliance is taking too long to remove water or cannot confirm normal draining.
Codes and exact steps can vary by model number, production year, and regional design. Use this guide as first-pass orientation and confirm model-specific details with the manufacturer source listed below.
Before you start
Write down the full model number and the exact display text before changing parts or clearing the control. Similar-looking codes can map to different model families, and a reset can erase useful timing clues.
If the appliance shows active leaking, a burning smell, smoke, gas odor, repeated breaker trips, or water near power, stop this checklist and use qualified service.
Model numbers affected
Commonly searched Samsung model families include front-load washers, top-load washers, high-efficiency washers, laundry centers, and compact models.
This is not a confirmed model-number list. Similar display codes can mean different things across model families, production years, and regional designs. Match the exact code to the full model number on the appliance tag before ordering parts or opening panels.
Common causes
- Drain hose is kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe
- Filter, sump, or pump area is blocked
- Household drain is slow
- Drain pump has failed
How to check and fix 5C
- Confirm the model number and exact code spelling.
- Stop the cycle and disconnect power before opening any service cover.
- Check the drain hose for kinks, crushing, or a frozen section.
- Clean the accessible filter only if the model manual shows one.
- Prepare towels and a shallow pan before opening a drain filter.
- Run one controlled reset only when the appliance is dry, stable, and safe.
- Stop if 5C returns immediately or appears on an empty test.
Safe checks before service
- Stop the cycle and disconnect power before opening any service cover.
- Check the drain hose for kinks, crushing, or a frozen section.
- Clean the accessible filter only if the model manual shows one.
- Prepare towels and a shallow pan before opening a drain filter.
What not to do
- Do not bypass locks, sensors, fuses, or leak protection to force a cycle.
- Do not open powered panels or touch wiring for a code check.
- Do not assume one display code proves one specific part has failed.
Stop and call a technician when
- Water will not drain after the hose and filter are clear.
- The pump hums but does not move water.
- Water leaks from the base or service panel.
FAQ
Is 5C always a broken part?
No. On a Samsung washer, 5C usually identifies a drain problem category. A blocked hose, dirty filter, uneven load, or unsafe operating condition can trigger a code before a part failure is confirmed.
Can I reset 5C?
A single power reset can be reasonable after visible checks are complete and the appliance is safe. If 5C returns immediately, treat it as an active fault rather than a nuisance message.
Why does model number matter?
Brands reuse similar code text across model families. The model number controls the exact manual steps, access points, and service boundary.
Aliases and related display text
People may search for this same condition using different capitalization or alternate display forms.
- 5C
- 5E
- SE
- SC