Samsung groups 5C, 5E, SC, and SE as dishwasher drain errors.
What 5C / 5E means
Samsung groups 5C, 5E, SC, and SE as dishwasher drain errors.
What you may notice
- The cycle stops or will not start
- The display shows 5C / 5E
- The dishwasher may beep
- The code returns after Cancel
Most likely causes
- 01A dirty dishwasher filter
- 02A kinked drain hose
- 03A blocked sink drain or disposer
- 04A new disposer knockout plug remains
- 05A drain pump fault
Safe checks, in order
Start with the simplest non-invasive check. Stop as soon as the error clears; repeated resets can hide a condition without correcting it.
Cancel and wait
Allow the dishwasher's drain attempt to finish.
Clean the filter
Remove and rinse the user-serviceable filter as the manual directs.
Check the sink side
Clear the disposer or air gap and confirm a new disposer plug was removed.
Inspect the hose
Straighten accessible kinks without pulling the machine out.
Know where to stop
Switch off the circuit before reaching beneath the unit. Broken glass may be hidden in the filter area.
When to call a technician or support
Request Samsung service if the code returns after the safe checks above or if leaking, overheating, electrical odor, or abnormal mechanical noise is present.
When you call, have the exact product or vehicle model, model year where relevant, the complete code or symbol, and when it appeared.
Where this information came from
We use the manufacturer's current published guidance as the starting point, then organize it into a safer, beginner-friendly sequence.
Samsung Support — dishwasher error codes Source last checked August 16, 2026. Manufacturer instructions and model manuals take priority over this independent summary.