Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes
Short answer: LC (or LE) means the leak sensor in the base found water. The dishwasher keeps running its drain pump and won’t turn off until that dries. 4C means it isn’t getting enough water, 5C, SC and OC point to the drain, and HE or tE means the temperature is being read wrong. Samsung says to fix the cause before you try to reset or clear a code.
Why LC keeps the dishwasher running
LC is the Samsung dishwasher code people ask about most, and it’s a confusing one. The machine turns itself on, the pump hums, and it won’t shut off. That’s on purpose. Samsung’s leak protection keeps draining until the sensor in the base reads dry.
Before you assume a leak, check the things Samsung lists:
- Did you just move the dishwasher? Samsung says water may have splashed near the sensor underneath. Give it time to dry.
- Was the detergent cup overfilled, or was regular dish soap used? Suds can spill over into the base.
- Was a new garbage disposal put in recently? The knockout plug inside the disposal inlet has to be removed.
- On Waterwall models, LC can also mean the water reflector is blocked by a pan or utensil.
If the noise is driving you crazy, Samsung says you can unplug the dishwasher or turn it off at the breaker. We’d also turn off the water valve under the sink until you know where the water came from.
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Other common Samsung dishwasher codes
| Code | What Samsung says it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 4C, 4E | Not getting water at the pressure or temperature it needs. | Open the valve under the sink all the way and check the supply hose for kinks. Samsung says FloodSafe hoses aren’t compatible. |
| 5C, SC, 5E, SE | The dishwasher can’t drain. | Clean the filter and the sump in the bottom of the tub. Check the drain hose and the connection under the sink. Run the disposal if you have one. |
| OC, 0C, oE | There’s more water in the tub than there should be, usually tied to a drain problem. | Same checks as 5C. |
| HE | The temperature inside is being read incorrectly. | Empty the dishwasher, add detergent and run a Normal cycle. If HE returns, switch off the breaker and book service. |
| HC | It’s too hot inside. | Breaker off for 30 seconds, back on, then run a Normal cycle empty with detergent. |
| 3C | The pump has failed. | Turn it off and restart the cycle. If 3C comes back, it needs service. |
| 1E, IE | Waterwall models: water isn’t getting through the fine filter. Rotary models: too hot inside. | Waterwall: clean the fine filter. Rotary: same steps as HC. |
| bE, 6E | A button is stuck. | Turn it off and press every button once. |
Samsung also lists 3E (incoming water too hot), 7E (Waterwall reflector), 9E (low water level), CE (communication), PC (Zone Wash) and PE (half load). Meanings checked against Samsung’s US support pages in October 2026.
No display? Read the lights
Models without a digital display show codes as blinking light combinations. Samsung’s rule of thumb: lights blink during normal cycles too, so treat it as a code only if the dishwasher stops working or quits mid-cycle. If all four lights blink at once, the control can’t talk to the rest of the machine. Switch off the breaker for two minutes, then turn it back on.
When to call
- LC comes back after the base has had a day to dry, or you see water on the floor
- 5C or OC returns after you’ve cleaned the filter and sump
- 3C, HE or tE shows again after a reset and a Normal cycle
- The pump hums but no water leaves the tub
We repair Samsung dishwashers across the San Francisco Bay Area. See Samsung appliance repair, dishwasher repair, dishwasher not draining and dishwasher not cleaning. You pay a $219 service call, free if you go with the repair, and you see the exact price before we start (how pricing works). We fit OEM parts, and qualifying repairs get 90 days on parts and labor. Same-day weekday service is often available.
We are factory authorized for Samsung, but this guide is ours, not Samsung's. Code meanings are paraphrased from Samsung's public support pages.
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Call (415) 585-5900 or book online
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · $219 service call, free if you go with the repair · 90-day parts and labor on qualifying repairs
Common questions
Why won't my Samsung dishwasher turn off with an LC code?
Its leak protection is working. When the sensor in the base detects moisture, the dishwasher runs the drain pump and stays on until the sensor dries. You can cut power at the breaker if the noise bothers you. Then look for the cause: suds from too much detergent, a recent move, a disposal knockout plug, or a real leak.
Will an LC code clear by itself?
Sometimes. If you recently moved the dishwasher and water splashed near the sensor, Samsung says to give it time to dry, and the code can clear once it does. If it comes back on the next cycle, something is leaking into the base, and it should be found before you run more loads.
How do I reset a Samsung dishwasher?
Samsung's reset is a power cycle at the breaker: 30 seconds for heater codes, two minutes when all the lights are blinking. But Samsung is clear that you should troubleshoot first. Clearing a code without fixing the cause brings it back and can damage the dishwasher.