Standing water in the tub
There is a pool of dirty water under the lower rack or around the filter area after the cycle stops.
Start here: Remove the water first, then clean the filter and sump so you can see what is actually blocking flow.
Dishwasher not draining
Samsung Dishwasher 5C 5E Code
Direct answer: A Samsung dishwasher 5C or 5E code usually means the machine tried to drain and the water did not leave fast enough. Most of the time the cause is standing water, a clogged filter area, a kinked dishwasher drain hose, or a blockage where the hose ties into the sink drain or air gap.
Most likely: Start with the easy drain path: remove the water, clean the dishwasher filter and sump area, then check the dishwasher drain hose and the sink-side connection for a clog.
If there is water sitting in the tub, treat this like a drain restriction until proven otherwise. Reality check: a lot of 5C and 5E calls end with food sludge in the filter well or a plugged sink-side fitting. Common wrong move: running cycle after cycle with standing water still in the bottom, which just leaves more debris packed into the drain path.
Don’t start with: Do not start by ordering a dishwasher drain pump. Pumps do fail, but on this code a plain blockage is more common.
If the sink backs up tooLook at the kitchen drain or air gap first, because the dishwasher may be fine.
If the dishwasher hums but water barely movesClear the drain path before blaming the pump.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-17
What this code usually looks like in the kitchen
Code appears near the end of the cycle
The dishwasher seems to wash normally, then throws 5C or 5E when it should be draining out.
Start here: Check the drain hose route and the sink-side connection, because that is when a partial clog usually shows up.
Humming or brief drain noise with little water movement
You hear the drain attempt, but the water level hardly drops.
Start here: Look for a clogged filter well, debris in the sump, or a restricted dishwasher drain hose before suspecting an internal part.
No standing water but code keeps returning
The tub looks mostly empty, yet the code comes back after reset or another cycle.
Start here: Check for a slow drain path, a high-loop or hose issue, or a float area problem that can confuse the machine about water level.
Most likely causes
1. Clogged dishwasher filter or sump area
This is the most common cause when the tub holds water and the code appears after a cycle. Food scraps, labels, glass bits, and grease collect right where the dishwasher starts draining.
Quick check: Pull the lower rack, remove the filter pieces if accessible, and look for sludge or hard debris in the well below.
2. Blocked or kinked dishwasher drain hose
A hose that is pinched behind the machine or packed with grease can let a little water through but not enough to satisfy the drain timing.
Quick check: Inspect the visible hose path under the sink for sharp bends, sagging, or a clog at the connection point.
3. Sink air gap or sink drain branch blockage
If the dishwasher drains into an air gap or a branch tailpiece on the sink, that fitting can clog and make the dishwasher act like it has an internal problem.
Quick check: If you have an air gap on the sink deck, pop the cap and check for debris. If not, inspect the dishwasher hose connection at the sink drain.
4. Dishwasher drain pump not moving water well
This moves up the list only after the drain path is clear. A weak or jammed pump may hum, click, or move very little water even with no visible blockage.
Quick check: After clearing the filter and hose path, run a drain cycle and listen for a strong rush of water versus a weak hum or grinding sound.
Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Confirm it is really a drain problem, not a sink-side backup
You want to separate a dishwasher blockage from a kitchen drain problem before pulling parts or opening the machine.
- Cancel the cycle and turn power to the dishwasher off at the controls.
- Open the door and check whether water is standing in the bottom of the tub.
- Run the kitchen sink for a minute and watch whether it drains normally or backs up.
- If there is a sink air gap on the countertop, look for water spilling from it during a drain attempt.
- If the sink is slow or backing up, deal with the sink-side drain restriction first.
Next move: If the sink drain issue is corrected and the dishwasher drains normally after that, the dishwasher itself likely does not need parts. If the sink drains fine but the dishwasher still holds water, move to the filter and sump area.
What to conclude: A 5C or 5E code can be caused by the dishwasher's own drain path or by the plumbing connection it drains into. Separating those early saves time.
Stop if:
- Water is leaking under the sink or from the dishwasher while you test.
- The sink drain is fully blocked and starts overflowing.
- You smell burning or hear a harsh electrical buzz instead of normal drain noise.
Step 2: Remove the standing water and clean the dishwasher filter area
You cannot judge the drain system well with dirty water covering everything. Most no-drain calls start and end here.
- Scoop or soak out as much standing water as you can with a cup or towels.
- Remove the lower rack for working room.
- Take out the dishwasher filter pieces if your model allows normal owner access.
- Wash the filter with warm water and mild soap, and clear sludge from the filter seat.
- Look into the sump area for labels, broken glass, bones, or other debris and remove it carefully.
Next move: If the dishwasher drains normally after reassembly, the code was caused by a clogged filter or sump. If the code returns or the water still drains slowly, check the hose path next.
What to conclude: A packed filter or blocked sump starves the drain system right at the source. Even a good pump cannot move water through a plugged intake area.
Step 3: Check the dishwasher drain hose and sink connection
Once the filter area is clear, the next most common restriction is the hose or the fitting where it ties into the sink drain.
- Turn power off to the dishwasher before handling the hose.
- Inspect the visible dishwasher drain hose under the sink for kinks, crushing, or a low sag full of debris.
- Disconnect the hose at the sink-side fitting or air gap if you can do it without forcing brittle plastic.
- Check the sink-side fitting for grease or food buildup and clear it.
- If the hose is removable and obviously clogged, flush it out at a sink or replace it if it is split, collapsed, or badly fouled inside.
Next move: If water now rushes out strongly during a drain cycle, the restriction was in the hose or sink connection. If the hose path is clear and the dishwasher still barely drains, the pump or an internal blockage becomes more likely.
Step 4: Listen to the drain pump with the drain path confirmed clear
This is where you decide whether the machine has a real internal drain failure instead of a plain blockage.
- Restore power and start a drain or cancel-drain function.
- Listen for a strong, steady drain sound and watch the sink-side hose or air gap for a solid discharge.
- If you hear a weak hum, repeated clicking, grinding, or almost no water movement with a clear hose path, suspect the dishwasher drain pump or debris caught in it.
- If you can access the pump area through normal service panels and feel comfortable, inspect for an object jamming the impeller.
- If the pump is quiet and the machine still will not clear the code after the drain path is open, stop short of guesswork and plan for a pump-level repair or service call.
Next move: If the pump suddenly moves water strongly after debris is cleared, reassemble and run a short cycle to confirm the fix. If the pump still hums weakly or does not move water with a clear path, the dishwasher drain pump is the leading suspect.
Step 5: Finish with the right repair or call for service before water damage starts
The last step is to leave the machine either fixed and verified or shut down cleanly until the right repair is made.
- If the filter, sump, hose, or sink connection was clogged, reassemble everything and run a short rinse or drain test.
- If the dishwasher drain hose is kinked, split, or still restricted after cleaning, replace the dishwasher drain hose.
- If the drain path is clear and the pump only hums, grinds, or fails to move water, plan on replacing the dishwasher drain pump or booking service.
- If you cannot confirm the pump safely, leave power off and avoid running more cycles with standing water in the tub.
- Wipe up any spilled water and monitor the first full cycle after the repair.
A good result: If the tub ends the cycle with only a thin film of water near the sump and no code returns, the repair path was correct.
If not: If the code returns with a clear drain path and no obvious pump issue, professional diagnosis is the safer next move because internal wiring, sensors, or control faults are less common and less DIY-friendly.
What to conclude: You have narrowed the problem to either a cleared blockage, a failed dishwasher drain hose, or a likely dishwasher drain pump issue.
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FAQ
What does 5C or 5E mean on a Samsung dishwasher?
It usually means the dishwasher did not drain the water out in the expected time. In plain terms, the machine sees a drain problem, most often from a clog or restricted hose path.
Is 5C the same as 5E?
For practical troubleshooting, yes. Homeowners usually treat both as a drain error and start with standing water, the filter, the sump area, the drain hose, and the sink-side connection.
Can I just reset the dishwasher?
You can try a reset, but if water is still in the tub the code usually comes back. Resetting does not clear a clogged filter, blocked hose, or plugged sink connection.
Why does the code show up even when there is not much water left?
A partial clog can let some water out but not fast enough. The tub may look almost empty, yet the dishwasher still sees a slow-drain condition and throws the code.
When should I suspect the dishwasher drain pump?
Suspect the dishwasher drain pump after the filter, sump, hose, and sink connection are confirmed clear. A weak hum, grinding, or little to no water movement with a clear drain path points that way.
Can a clogged sink cause this dishwasher code?
Yes. If the dishwasher drains into a blocked sink branch or air gap, the dishwasher can act like it has an internal failure even though the real restriction is on the sink side.