Samsung Washer 5c Error Code [FIXED!]

Error codes will often go away after resetting your Samsung washer—that is if they are caused by a glitch. However, if your appliance has detected unresolved issues, you need to understand what the code is indicating to resolve the error.

On a Samsung washer, a 5c error code indicates a drainage problem. Most of the time, it’s caused by minor issues, which can be fixed with cleaning and proper installation.

Here, we’ll delve into the different causes of a 5c error. We’ll also show you how to troubleshoot each one with a free, easy-to-follow guide.

What is the Samsung washer 5c error code?

If a Samsung washing machine displays a 5c error code, it means that it has detected a drainage issue. Obstructions, loose connections, and kinked hoses are the most common causes of the error.

Depending on your Samsung washer model, drainage issues may appear as 5c, Sc, 5e, or E2 on your display. Still, they indicate the same drainage problems and require similar fixes.

How to Fix Samsung Washer 5c Error Code

To clear a 5c error on a Samsung washer, remove any blockages in the debris pump filter and the drain hose that may be preventing your unit from draining properly. Make sure to install the pump and the hose correctly.

Below, we’ve made a list of the possible causes of drainage problems in a Samsung washer. We also have step-by-step instructions to help you troubleshoot the problem and resolve the error.

Causes	Fixes
Improper Leveling	Front-Load Washers: • Use a spirit level to check if your washer is balanced from front to back and from side to side. • The bubble will appear between the leveling marks if your appliance is balanced.  • If it is not, it will rise to the higher side. • Use a wrench to loosen the clamp nut of the leveling leg. • Rotate the height nut clockwise to lower the leg and counterclockwise to raise it. • Check again if the washer is balanced. Make the necessary adjustments until your unit is leveled on all sides. • Turn the clamp nut counterclockwise to secure the leveling leg.
	Top-Load Washers: • Fill the drum with water until it reaches right under the pulsator level. • Check the position of the pulsator to determine if the washer is level. • If it appears centered, your washer is leveled correctly. If it is off-center, your unit is not level and must be adjusted. • Adjust the height of the leveling legs using Channellock pliers. • Rotate the leg clockwise to lower its height or counterclockwise to raise it.
Clogged Drain Pump	• Open the debris filter cover.  • Grab the drain hose and remove its cap to drain excess water into a bowl. Or, use the auto drain feature in your washer. • Reinstall the cap and push the hose back in after the water stops draining. • Rotate the debris filter counterclockwise and pull it out of the housing. • Remove any blockages (e.g. coins, clips, and buttons). • Clean the filter with a soft brush and rinse it under running water. • Reinstall the filter into the housing and rotate it clockwise. • Close the cover.
Blocked Drain Hose	• Turn off the washing machine, and unplug it. Remove your laundry inside the drum • Move the washer around to access the back.  • Locate the drain hose and detach it from the washer. Disconnect the other end of the drain hose. • Use a fish wire, a hanger, or other tools to remove any obstructions in the drain hose. • Reinstall the drain hose. • Plug in the washer and turn it on. Run a cycle and check if the error is resolved.
Incorrect Drain Hose Installation	Front-Load Washers: • Over the sink: Mount the drain hose at least 60 cm above the floor. Keep its spout bent using the supplied plastic hose. • Secure the hose to the wall using a hook to prevent it from moving around while draining. Or, tie the spout to the tap with a spring. • On a sink drain pipe branch: Keep the drain pipe branch above the sink siphon. The end of the hose should be at least 60 cm above the floor. • On a standpipe: Attach the end of the hose to a vertical standpipe. It should be no shorter than 60 cm and no longer than 90 cm. • Insert the hose about six to eight inches into the standpipe.
	Top-Load Washers: • Press the joint ring and pull out the drain hose pipe. • Press the clip again and insert it into the pipe.  • Connect the hose to the drain outlet. Use the joint ring to secure the connection. • Adjust the length of the hose if needed. Check the hose for kinks and bent areas. Then, straighten them if necessary.

Improper Leveling

Your washer needs to be installed on a stable and level surface in order to operate efficiently. Ideally, you should check if the washer is leveled from front to back and from side to side before using it for the first time.

Whether you own a front-load or a top-load washer, a spirit level, also known as a carpenter’s level, can help you check if your appliance is balanced or not. 

If your washer is balanced, the bubble inside the leveling tool will appear right in the middle of the markers. It will rise to the higher side if it isn’t.

Front-Load Washer

First, check if your washer is level from front to back and from side to side. Then, inspect the position of the bubble to determine which leg you’re going to raise or lower.

Solution: To level a front-load Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Place the spirit level along the lid of the washer to check if it is balanced from side to side. Then, put the tool along the seam of the unit to check if it is level from front to back.
• Step 2: Use a wrench to loosen the clamp nut of the leveling leg.
• Step 3: Rotate the height nut clockwise to lower the leg and counterclockwise to raise it.
• Step 4: Check again if the washer is balanced. Make the necessary adjustments until your unit is leveled on all sides.
• Step 5: Turn the clamp nut counterclockwise to secure the leveling leg.

Tips: • If you put the level along the seam of the washer, and the bubble moves to the front, you must lower the leveling legs. • If you set the level on top of the lid of the washer, and the bubble moves to the left, you either need to lower the left leg or raise the right one.

Top-Load Washer

There’s another way to check if your washing machine is balanced without using a spirit level. However, it only applies to top-load washers.

By inspecting the position of the pulsator while submerged in water, you can determine if the washer is level or not.

Solution: To level a top-load Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Fill the drum with water until it reaches right under the pulsator level.

• Step 2: Check the position of the pulsator to determine if the washer is level.

If it appears centered, your washer is leveled correctly. If it is off-center, your unit is not level and must be adjusted.

• Step 3: Adjust the height of the leveling legs. Use Channellock pliers to rotate the leg clockwise to lower its height or counterclockwise to raise it.

Clogged Drain Pump

As its name suggests, a drain pump’s main function is to pump water out of the drum so it can be drained away. 

The pump has a debris filter, which traps lint, dirt, and other foreign objects in the water. Sometimes, it traps buttons, clips, coins, and other large items, which may prevent water from draining properly. 

Cleaning this filter regularly can prevent lint and dirt from building up and clogging the pump. It also improves the cleaning performance of your washer.

If you own a front-load Samsung washing machine, the debris filter is located at the bottom corner of the unit. You won’t have to do this fix if you own a top-load model.

Solution: To clean the drain pump on a Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the washer, and unplug its cord.
• Step 2: Place a towel under the pump to protect your floors from water damage.
• Step 3: Push the small cover on the front of the washer to access the pump.
• Step 4: Pull out the drain hose and take off its cap to drain excess water into a bowl. Or, use the auto drain feature in your washer.
• Step 5: Close the cap tightly once it’s done draining. Then, push the hose back in its position and make sure it’s secure to prevent water leakage.
• Step 6: Turn the debris filter counterclockwise and remove it from its housing.
• Step 7: Clear any visible obstructions (e.g. coins, clips, and buttons) in the filter.
• Step 8: Scrub the filter with a soft brush and rinse it under running water. Wipe away any debris around the housing.
• Step 9: Insert the filter into the housing and rotate it clockwise.
• Step 10: Close the cover.
• Step 11: Turn on the washer and plug in its cord.
• Step 12: Run a cycle to check if the fix resolved the error.

Quick Note: Clean the debris filter after 30 to 40 loads. Depending on your usage, that’s approximately every two or three months.

Blocked Drain Hose

Lint, hair, threads, and residue build-up may get trapped inside your drain hose, limiting the flow of water or blocking it entirely. When this happens, the 5c error code will appear on the display.

Some obstructions are easier to remove than others. If you can’t visibly see the clog, you’ll have to push it out of the other end with a tool like a fish wire.

Solution: To clean a blocked drain hose on a Samsung washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the washing machine, and unplug it.
• Step 2: Remove the laundry inside the drum.
• Step 3: Move the washer around to access the back.
• Step 4: Locate the drain hose and detach it from the washer.
• Step 5: Disconnect the other end of the drain hose.
• Step 6: Use a fish wire, a hanger, or other tools to push obstructions to the other side of the hose.
• Step 7: Reinstall the drain hose once it’s clear of any clogs.
• Step 8: Plug in the washer and turn it on.
• Step 9: Run a cycle and check if the error is resolved. 

Incorrect Drain Hose Installation

Incorrect drain hose installation is the most common cause of drainage problems in Samsung washers, according to the manufacturer. Even if the hose is free of obstructions and kinks, it won’t drain properly if it isn’t positioned or installed correctly.

Lucky for you, it is a quick and easy repair. You won’t need to call a professional to resolve this problem.

Front-Load Washer

On a Samsung front-load washer, there are different ways to connect the hose to the drainage system. 

You can drain water over the side of a sink, on a sink drain pipe branch, or on a standpipe. Thus, the installation process will vary depending on your preferred drainage method.

Solution: First, select your preferred drainage method. To install the drain hose correctly, follow these instructions carefully:

• Over the sink: Mount the drain hose at least 60 cm above the floor. Keep its spout bent using the supplied plastic hose.

Secure the hose to the wall using a hook to prevent it from moving around while draining. Or, tie the spout to the tap with a spring.

• On a sink drain pipe branch: Keep the drain pipe branch above the sink siphon. The end of the hose must be at least 60 cm above the floor.

• On a standpipe: Attach the end of the hose to a vertical standpipe. It should be no shorter than 60 cm and no longer than 90 cm.

Insert the hose about six to eight inches into the standpipe. Don’t install it too low or too deep into the pipe because it will create a siphoning effect, which can fill the tub with water and make your washer smell like sewage (Samsung top load washer smells like sewer).

Tips: • Avoid using a drain hose extension kit. • Make sure it doesn’t form an airtight connection. • Straighten out kinks and bent areas. • Secure the hose to prevent it from slipping down. • Don’t insert the hose more than 8 inches or less than 6 inches into the standpipe or drain.

Top-Load Washer

Some Samsung top-load washers have a joint ring, which keeps the drain hose’s connection secure. Other models aren’t supplied with a joint ring, and it won’t be necessary for the installation process.

Solution: To install the drain hose on a top-load washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Press the joint ring and pull out the drain hose pipe.
• Step 2: Press the clip again and insert it into the pipe. 
• Step 3: Connect the hose to the drain outlet. Use the joint ring to secure the connection.
• Step 4: Adjust the length of the hose if needed.
• Step 5: Check the hose for kinks and bent areas. Then, straighten them if necessary.

Tips: • Don’t put the end of the hose into the water. • Keep the hose above the drain outlet floor level. • Keep the hose’s length under three meters if it has no barrier. • Make sure the middle part of the hose isn’t higher than its ends. • Straighten out kinks and bent areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

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