What causes Samsung Dishwasher SC / 5C / 5E / SE?

A clogged sink drain or garbage disposal, which Samsung says can be the real problem rather than the dishwasher. A garbage disposal that was just installed with its knockout plug (disposal cap) still in place. The dishwasher sitting on its own drain hose and pinching it shut, which Samsung calls the most common cause right after installation. A drain hose with no air gap and no high loop, so water flows back into the dishwasher. A drain hose that is kinked, bent, clogged with debris or frozen. A filter clogged with food waste, or filter parts that are missing or put back incorrectly. Broken dish fragments or other debris caught in the drain pump impeller. A failed pressure switch (water level sensor) or control board, which Samsung says needs service.

How do I fix Samsung Dishwasher SC / 5C / 5E / SE?

Run water in the sink the dishwasher drains into for about 30 seconds. If the sink doesn't drain, the clog is in the home's plumbing, not the dishwasher, and Samsung says to call a plumber. If there's a garbage disposal, run it to clear food waste. If the disposal was just installed, make sure the knockout plug for the dishwasher inlet was removed. Check the drain hose under the sink. Make sure the dishwasher isn't sitting on it, and straighten any kinks or bends. If the hose is damaged beyond straightening, Samsung says to request service. Make sure the drain hose goes to an air gap or has a high loop (part of the hose raised above where it connects to the sink), as your local code requires, so dirty water can't flow back. Remove the lower rack and clean the filter and the sump area of food and debris, following your user manual. Be careful, since Samsung warns there may be sharp pieces in the drain area. Put every removable part back exactly as the manual shows, because missing or misplaced parts can cause drain errors too. On models with a removable drain-pump cover, take out the filter, sponge out the standing water, remove the pump cover and check the impeller for broken glass or other debris, then press the cover back until it clicks, as Samsung's drain-pump cleaning steps describe. If the hose or lines might be frozen, let the area warm up (Samsung UK suggests soaking a removed hose in warm water to melt the ice). Samsung notes frozen lines aren't covered by warranty. Once the cause is cleared, run a short cycle to confirm the dishwasher drains and the code doesn't return.

When should I call a pro for Samsung Dishwasher SC / 5C / 5E / SE?

The code returns after the sink drain, hose, filter and pump are all clear. Samsung says to request service. Samsung UK lists a failed pressure switch or control board as SC/5C causes that need the Samsung service centre. You can't reach or remove debris from the drain pump without taking the pump mount apart. The drain hose is damaged and can't be straightened, or you need it reinstalled to local code.

Code: SC / 5C / 5E / SE🧺 Samsung Dishwasher

Samsung Dishwasher SC Error Code (5C, 5E, SE): Drain Error, Not Draining (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does Samsung Dishwasher SC / 5C / 5E / SE mean?

SC on a Samsung dishwasher is the drain error. Samsung groups it with 5C, 5E and SE (and SR on Canadian models): the dishwasher can't drain the water out of the tub. The usual causes are a clogged sink drain or garbage disposal, a kinked or pinched drain hose, a hose with no air gap or high loop, or a filter and drain pump clogged with food or broken glass. Clear those, and request service if the code keeps coming back. Samsung's US error-code guide lists 5C, SC, 5E and SE together as the drain error: the dishwasher can't drain. Samsung Canada lists the same group plus SR and describes it as difficulty draining water. The display shows SC because a 5 and an S look the same on a seven-segment display, so SC and 5C are the same code. Samsung's UK information-code page splits the causes into the drain hose (frozen, bent or clogged), the drain pump (broken plate fragments or other debris caught in the impeller), a filter clogged with food, and, less often, a failed pressure switch or control board, which need a Samsung technician. Samsung also says to do the troubleshooting before resetting or clearing the code, otherwise the problem stays and the code returns.

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Based on 5 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Samsung's US error-code guide lists 5C, SC, 5E and SE together as the drain error: the dishwasher can't drain. Samsung Canada lists the same group plus SR and describes it as difficulty draining water. The display shows SC because a 5 and an S look the same on a seven-segment display, so SC and 5C are the same code. Samsung's UK information-code page splits the causes into the drain hose (frozen, bent or clogged), the drain pump (broken plate fragments or other debris caught in the impeller), a filter clogged with food, and, less often, a failed pressure switch or control board, which need a Samsung technician. Samsung also says to do the troubleshooting before resetting or clearing the code, otherwise the problem stays and the code returns.

Likely causes

A clogged sink drain or garbage disposal, which Samsung says can be the real problem rather than the dishwasher
A garbage disposal that was just installed with its knockout plug (disposal cap) still in place
The dishwasher sitting on its own drain hose and pinching it shut, which Samsung calls the most common cause right after installation
A drain hose with no air gap and no high loop, so water flows back into the dishwasher
A drain hose that is kinked, bent, clogged with debris or frozen
A filter clogged with food waste, or filter parts that are missing or put back incorrectly
Broken dish fragments or other debris caught in the drain pump impeller
A failed pressure switch (water level sensor) or control board, which Samsung says needs service

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.

Run water in the sink the dishwasher drains into for about 30 seconds. If the sink doesn't drain, the clog is in the home's plumbing, not the dishwasher, and Samsung says to call a plumber.
If there's a garbage disposal, run it to clear food waste. If the disposal was just installed, make sure the knockout plug for the dishwasher inlet was removed.
Check the drain hose under the sink. Make sure the dishwasher isn't sitting on it, and straighten any kinks or bends. If the hose is damaged beyond straightening, Samsung says to request service.
Make sure the drain hose goes to an air gap or has a high loop (part of the hose raised above where it connects to the sink), as your local code requires, so dirty water can't flow back.
Remove the lower rack and clean the filter and the sump area of food and debris, following your user manual. Be careful, since Samsung warns there may be sharp pieces in the drain area. Put every removable part back exactly as the manual shows, because missing or misplaced parts can cause drain errors too.
On models with a removable drain-pump cover, take out the filter, sponge out the standing water, remove the pump cover and check the impeller for broken glass or other debris, then press the cover back until it clicks, as Samsung's drain-pump cleaning steps describe.
If the hose or lines might be frozen, let the area warm up (Samsung UK suggests soaking a removed hose in warm water to melt the ice). Samsung notes frozen lines aren't covered by warranty.
Once the cause is cleared, run a short cycle to confirm the dishwasher drains and the code doesn't return.

🛠 When to call a pro

The code returns after the sink drain, hose, filter and pump are all clear. Samsung says to request service.
Samsung UK lists a failed pressure switch or control board as SC/5C causes that need the Samsung service centre.
You can't reach or remove debris from the drain pump without taking the pump mount apart.
The drain hose is damaged and can't be straightened, or you need it reinstalled to local code.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Dishwasher drain hose

Only if the old hose is cracked, crushed or can't be straightened. Match it to your model number.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_DRAIN_HOSE]

⚙

Dishwasher cleaner

For a monthly cleaning cycle after you've cleared the filter and sump.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DW_CLEANER]

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Samsung Dishwasher SC Error Code (5C, 5E, SE): Drain Error, Not Draining (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Dishwasher drain hose

Dishwasher cleaner

Related codes

Sources