What causes Samsung Dishwasher OC?

Too many suds: hand dish soap, laundry detergent, or too much dishwasher detergent makes foam that the dishwasher reads as extra water (Samsung UK lists foam as a typical OC sign). A clogged filter or sump that keeps water from draining between fills. A kinked or pinched drain hose, often because the dishwasher is sitting on its own hose after installation. No air gap or high loop on the drain hose, so water from the sink or disposal flows back into the dishwasher. A clogged sink drain or garbage disposal, or a disposal knockout plug left in after a new install. Water left in the base pan from an earlier overfill or small leak that wasn't removed before restarting. A float that is stuck, damaged or missing, or a high water switch or water inlet valve that has failed (service repairs).

How do I fix Samsung Dishwasher OC?

If water is overflowing or keeps running into the tub, turn off the dishwasher's water supply valve, or the main water supply if you can't reach it. Samsung says to do this before contacting service. Turn the dishwasher off. If there is water in the base pan from an overfill or small leak, Samsung says it must be removed before restarting, so soak up any standing water you can reach and let the unit dry. Check the detergent. Use only real dishwasher detergent, never hand dish soap, and only as much as the dispenser holds. If the tub is full of foam, remove it and rinse before running again. Clean the filter and the area around the drain at the bottom of the tub, then put the parts back exactly as your user manual shows. Samsung notes that missing or wrongly installed filter parts can cause drain and overflow errors. Watch for sharp debris. Check the drain hose under the sink. Make sure it isn't kinked, crushed, or trapped under the dishwasher, and that it has an air gap or a high loop so sink water can't flow back in. Run water in the sink for about 30 seconds. If the sink doesn't drain, the clog is in your home's plumbing, not the dishwasher, and Samsung says to call a plumber. If you have a garbage disposal, clear it, and on a new install make sure the disposal knockout plug was removed. Make sure the float in the tub isn't blocked by a utensil or food debris and moves freely. Don't remove or tamper with it. Run a Normal cycle and watch it. Samsung says not to keep clearing the code without fixing the cause first.

When should I call a pro for Samsung Dishwasher OC?

OC keeps coming back after you've checked detergent, filter, drain hose and sink drain. Samsung says to request service at that point. Water keeps flowing into the tub even with the dishwasher turned off, which points to a water inlet valve that's stuck open. Keep the water supply shut off until it's repaired. The float is damaged or missing, or the high water switch needs testing. The drain hose itself is damaged to the point it can't be straightened, which Samsung handles as a service request. The dishwasher is still under warranty. Request Samsung service instead of opening it up.

Code: OC🧺 Samsung Dishwasher

Samsung Dishwasher OC Error Code (0C, oE): Too Much Water in the Tub (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does Samsung Dishwasher OC mean?

OC on a Samsung dishwasher (also shown as 0C or oE) is an over-level water error: the dishwasher has detected more water inside than there should be. If water is overflowing, turn off the water supply first. Then soak up any water in the base, check that you used real dishwasher detergent and the right amount, clean the filter, and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked or pinched under the dishwasher. If OC keeps coming back, Samsung says to request service. Samsung's US error code guide lists OC, 0C and oE together as the "Over-level water error": there is more water in the dishwasher than there should be, and it sends you to its drain and overflow guide, which covers 5C, 5E, OC and OE as one group. Samsung UK's information-code table describes what owners usually see with OC: the dishwasher stops mid-cycle or won't finish, there may be small puddles at the bottom of the door, a continuous filling sound as water keeps coming in, and heavy foam in the tub from the wrong detergent or too much of it. On Samsung models without a digital display, the same problem is shown with blinking lights instead; the DW80M2020US user manual, for example, lists a "High-water level" fault when the high water switch stays on continuously for 120 seconds, and warns not to tamper with or remove the float (the floater) that this switch relies on. Samsung's manuals also say that if an overflow happens, turn off the main water supply before calling for service, and remove any water in the base pan before restarting.

Reviewed 2026-10-23 · Based on 4 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Samsung's US error code guide lists OC, 0C and oE together as the "Over-level water error": there is more water in the dishwasher than there should be, and it sends you to its drain and overflow guide, which covers 5C, 5E, OC and OE as one group. Samsung UK's information-code table describes what owners usually see with OC: the dishwasher stops mid-cycle or won't finish, there may be small puddles at the bottom of the door, a continuous filling sound as water keeps coming in, and heavy foam in the tub from the wrong detergent or too much of it. On Samsung models without a digital display, the same problem is shown with blinking lights instead; the DW80M2020US user manual, for example, lists a "High-water level" fault when the high water switch stays on continuously for 120 seconds, and warns not to tamper with or remove the float (the floater) that this switch relies on. Samsung's manuals also say that if an overflow happens, turn off the main water supply before calling for service, and remove any water in the base pan before restarting.

Likely causes

Too many suds: hand dish soap, laundry detergent, or too much dishwasher detergent makes foam that the dishwasher reads as extra water (Samsung UK lists foam as a typical OC sign)
A clogged filter or sump that keeps water from draining between fills
A kinked or pinched drain hose, often because the dishwasher is sitting on its own hose after installation
No air gap or high loop on the drain hose, so water from the sink or disposal flows back into the dishwasher
A clogged sink drain or garbage disposal, or a disposal knockout plug left in after a new install
Water left in the base pan from an earlier overfill or small leak that wasn't removed before restarting
A float that is stuck, damaged or missing, or a high water switch or water inlet valve that has failed (service repairs)

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance (or switch off its breaker) and shut off the water supply valves before removing panels or disconnecting hoses. Keep towels handy for residual water.

If water is overflowing or keeps running into the tub, turn off the dishwasher's water supply valve, or the main water supply if you can't reach it. Samsung says to do this before contacting service.
Turn the dishwasher off. If there is water in the base pan from an overfill or small leak, Samsung says it must be removed before restarting, so soak up any standing water you can reach and let the unit dry.
Check the detergent. Use only real dishwasher detergent, never hand dish soap, and only as much as the dispenser holds. If the tub is full of foam, remove it and rinse before running again.
Clean the filter and the area around the drain at the bottom of the tub, then put the parts back exactly as your user manual shows. Samsung notes that missing or wrongly installed filter parts can cause drain and overflow errors. Watch for sharp debris.
Check the drain hose under the sink. Make sure it isn't kinked, crushed, or trapped under the dishwasher, and that it has an air gap or a high loop so sink water can't flow back in.
Run water in the sink for about 30 seconds. If the sink doesn't drain, the clog is in your home's plumbing, not the dishwasher, and Samsung says to call a plumber. If you have a garbage disposal, clear it, and on a new install make sure the disposal knockout plug was removed.
Make sure the float in the tub isn't blocked by a utensil or food debris and moves freely. Don't remove or tamper with it.
Run a Normal cycle and watch it. Samsung says not to keep clearing the code without fixing the cause first.

🛠 When to call a pro

OC keeps coming back after you've checked detergent, filter, drain hose and sink drain. Samsung says to request service at that point.
Water keeps flowing into the tub even with the dishwasher turned off, which points to a water inlet valve that's stuck open. Keep the water supply shut off until it's repaired.
The float is damaged or missing, or the high water switch needs testing.
The drain hose itself is damaged to the point it can't be straightened, which Samsung handles as a service request.
The dishwasher is still under warranty. Request Samsung service instead of opening it up.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Dishwasher detergent pods or powder

Use real dishwasher detergent, never hand dish soap, and only the amount the dispenser holds. Too many suds is a common OC trigger.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_CLEANER]

⚙

Dishwasher filter

Clean or replace a clogged filter. Match the part to your model number.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_FILTER]

⚙

Dishwasher drain hose

Only if the hose is split or crushed. Match it to your model.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DRAIN_HOSE]

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Samsung Dishwasher OC Error Code (0C, oE): Too Much Water in the Tub (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Dishwasher detergent pods or powder

Dishwasher filter

Dishwasher drain hose

Related codes

Sources