Samsung Washing Machine Error 5C – Drain Error – Water Not Pumping Out
The washer couldn't empty the tub in time. On front-loaders the debris filter is the first suspect.
Safety first · Consult a professional
Unplug the washer before opening the filter. If the last cycle was hot, let the water cool first, and expect several gallons to come out – have towels and a shallow pan ready.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.
- Hot surfaces and hot water can cause burns. Let the appliance cool down first.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Drain Error – Water Not Pumping Out
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$350
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
When a Samsung washer switches on its drain pump, it expects the water-level sensor to report an empty tub within a set time. If that doesn't happen, the cycle stops with 5C (5E on older models) and the door usually stays locked because water is still above the door opening. On front-loaders the most common cause is the debris filter behind the small cover at the bottom front, clogged with lint, coins or hair ties. Top-loaders have no user-accessible filter, so the checks there focus on the drain hose, the standpipe and the pump itself.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Most current front-load and top-load models | 5C | Standard drain alarm; also shown in the SmartThings app on connected models. |
| Older Samsung washers | 5E | Older label for the same drain fault. |
| Some older top-load models | nd | Short for no drain; same checks as 5C. |
| All models – foam warning | Sud | Not a drain fault itself: the washer detected heavy suds and paused. If it keeps happening, 5C often follows. |
Symptoms
- 5C with water still standing in the drum
- Door stays locked after the cycle stops
- Pump hums or rattles but the water level doesn't drop
- Clothes come out soaking wet because the spin never started
- Laundry sink or standpipe overflows when the washer drains
- Lots of foam in the drum just before 5C appears
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Debris filter clogged with lint, hair, coins or small items (front-loaders)
- Sock, bra underwire or coin jammed in the pump impeller
- Drain hose kinked, crushed or frozen behind the washer
- Standpipe, laundry sink drain or house drain line partly blocked
- Drain pump motor worn out or failed
- Too much or non-HE detergent – heavy suds slow the drain
- Loose pump connector, wiring or control board fault
Fix it step by step
Unplug and let hot water cool
Switch the washer off and unplug it. If you washed on hot, wait until the water in the drum is lukewarm – it can scald when it rushes out of the filter.
Tools: Gloves
Drain through the emergency tube (front-loaders)
Open the small cover at the bottom front corner, lay down towels and set a shallow pan or baking dish under it. Pull out the short emergency drain tube, remove its cap and let the water run out, capping it whenever the pan is full. A full tub can take many pan-loads.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Flashlight
Clean the debris filter
Once the flow stops, turn the filter counterclockwise and pull it out slowly. Clear lint, coins, hair ties and buttons, rinse it, and shine a light into the opening: the impeller behind it should turn freely by hand. Reinsert the filter and turn it fully clockwise until it's snug.
Tools: Flashlight, Gloves, Soft brush
Top-loaders: bail out and check the hose
Samsung top-loaders have no filter at the front. Bail the water out with a small container, then check the drain hose at the back for kinks and debris; a blocked pump on these models means removing panels, which is a technician job for most owners.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Flashlight
Check the drain hose and standpipe
Pull the hose out of the standpipe and look for lint plugs. Pour a bucket of water into the standpipe: if it backs up or drains slowly, the house drain is blocked and needs a plumber or a drain snake – the washer is fine.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Flashlight
Run a drain test
Plug the washer back in and run Drain/Spin. If the pump hums but no water moves, the impeller is still blocked or the pump is failing; if it's completely silent, the pump isn't getting power and needs a technician.
Prevent the next 5C
Use HE detergent at the dose on the bottle, empty pockets, and wash bras and small items in a mesh bag. Clean the debris filter every few months, and more often with pets in the house.
Tools: Soft brush
How to reset 5C
- Press Power to turn the washer off, then unplug it for about a minute.
- Plug it back in and select Drain/Spin (or Rinse+Spin) and press Start.
- When the tub is empty, give the door lock a minute or two to release.
- If 5C comes back on the drain test, the blockage or pump fault is still there.
Where the parts are
- 1Door lock
- 2Water inlet valve
- 3Water level sensor
- 4Filter
- 5Drain pump
- 6Motor
- 7Heating element
- 8Temperature sensor
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clean the debris filter | Yes | $0 |
| Clear the drain hose or replace it | Yes | $0–$25 |
| Plumber clears a blocked standpipe or drain line | No | $150–$350 |
| Drain pump, DIY part only | Yes | $40–$100 |
| Drain pump replaced by a technician | No | $180–$350 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Book a technician if the filter and hose are clear but the pump only hums or stays silent on Drain/Spin, or if you have a top-loader and the hose checks out. Call a plumber instead if the standpipe backs up even with the washer disconnected.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the door open when 5C is showing?
The lock releases only when the tub is nearly empty and not too hot. Drain the water through the emergency tube or run Drain/Spin after clearing the filter, then wait a minute or two for the lock to click open.
My Samsung top-loader shows 5C – where is the filter?
Samsung top-loaders don't have a front drain filter. Check the drain hose and standpipe first; if both are clear, the pump or its inlet is likely blocked and a technician needs to open the cabinet.
Can too much detergent really cause 5C?
Yes. Heavy suds cushion the pump and slow the drain, and the washer may show Sud first and then 5C. Use HE detergent at the recommended dose and run an extra rinse to clear the foam.
5C only appeared in winter – could it be the cold?
In an unheated garage, water left in the drain hose can freeze and block it completely. Warm the space, let the hose thaw and try Drain/Spin before assuming the pump has failed.
Sources
- Official Samsung user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
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