Warning: Disconnect power before servicing.
ErrBase

Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes

All Samsung dishwasher error codes with step-by-step troubleshooting, multimeter specs, and OEM part numbers.

41 error codes

CodeMeaning
3CThe main control board sent a command to the wash motor controller and got nothing back. No response, no handshake. The motor didn't run, so the board threw the 3C flag to tell you exactly where the breakdown happened.
highadvanced
4CThe dishwasher started a fill cycle but did not detect sufficient water flow within the expected time window.
moderatebeginner
4EThe control board sends a signal to open the water inlet valve, then waits to see the water level rise. When it doesn't see that rise fast enough, it throws 4E. Basically the board is saying 'I opened the door but nothing came through.'
moderatebeginner
5CDrain cycle failed. The dishwasher couldn't clear water from the tub within its timeout window. 5C is the older display variant of the SC drain fault and means exactly the same thing internally.
moderatebeginner
7EThe control board watches a hall effect sensor to track where that reflector bar is at all times. When the bar stops moving or the sensor loses the magnet signal entirely, the board throws a 7E and kills the cycle. Basically the machine is saying it doesn't know where its spray arm is and it won't run blind.
moderatebeginner
9EThe water level sensor circuit reported an out-of-range value. The control board cannot confirm correct water level during the fill cycle.
moderateintermediate
BEEPINGSamsung dishwashers beep to communicate cycle status, error conditions, and door alerts. Unlike older dishwashers with single-tone buzzers, Samsung models use a specific number of beeps combined with a display code to signal different fault conditions. The beep count and pattern on Samsung DW80R and DW80K series is part of the fault communication system.
moderatebeginner
DIAG-MODESamsung dishwasher diagnostic mode is a built-in service test that cycles through each major component - water fill, wash pump, drain pump, heater, and dispenser - in sequence to isolate which system is causing a fault. On Samsung DW80R series and most post-2016 Samsung dishwashers, diagnostic mode is accessed by holding the Start button for 5 seconds with the door closed.
lowbeginner
DRAIN-ISSUESWater remains in the tub after the cycle completes, or the dishwasher drains slowly. May or may not be accompanied by a SC, 5C, or SE error code.
moderatebeginner
ERROR-CODESWhen the dishwasher's control board detects a sensor reading that falls outside normal operating range, it throws a two-character code and halts the cycle. The code tells you which system failed: water supply, drainage, motor, leak detection, or overflow protection.
moderatebeginner
HCHC stands for High temperature Caution. The control board's getting a signal that water temp exceeded safe limits, or the heater kept running when it should've stopped. Something in the heating loop is either reading wrong or actually staying energized too long. Basically the dishwasher's safety circuit kicked in before anything melted.
highintermediate
HEAVY-LIGHT-BLINKINGThe moisture or float sensor in the base tray has closed its circuit and signaled the main control board that water is present below the tub. The board kills the wash program, runs the drain pump continuously, and blinks the Heavy light to flag the active leak condition.
highintermediate
HOW-TO-STARTThis is a how-to guide for starting a Samsung dishwasher correctly, covering normal start, delay start, and what to do when the machine powers on but won't actually kick off a wash. Not really an error code situation, just a common stumbling block people hit with these machines.
lowbeginner
HUBHub page covering all Samsung dishwasher error codes with causes, fixes, and diagnostic steps.
moderatebeginner
LCWater or moisture detected in the base pan beneath the dishwasher tub. The leak sensor DD81-01399A has been activated.
criticalbeginner
LEThe wash motor has locked up, stalled, or lost communication. The control board detected the motor did not reach operating speed.
highadvanced
LEAKINGYour Samsung dishwasher's letting water escape somewhere it shouldn't, through a compromised seal, a cracked component, or a loose connection. On models with a base tray sensor, that tray fills up with leaked water and trips the LC error code. Either way, water's getting out of the wash cavity and it's not going back in.
moderateintermediate
LIGHTS-FLASHThe indicator lights on the control panel are flashing. Which lights are blinking, and how many, tells you whether this is an error state, a paused cycle, or just a control board hiccup that needs a reboot. For display-less models, the blink count is actually the error code number.
moderatebeginner
NO-STARTThe control board isn't getting the green light it needs to kick off a wash cycle. That's usually because the door switch hasn't closed the circuit, Child Lock's blocking all commands, or there's no power making it through the junction box or thermal fuse.
moderateintermediate
NO-WATERThe control board's flow meter counted water volume during the fill cycle and didn't hit the minimum threshold. Samsung's dishwashers need roughly 1.2 liters in the first four minutes. If that doesn't happen, the machine cuts the cycle to protect the heating element from firing in a dry tub.
highintermediate
NOISEYour dishwasher is producing abnormal sounds because something mechanical is obstructed or failing. Usually it's debris caught in the drain pump, a worn spray arm bearing mount, or scale buildup on the circulation impeller. The machine's telling you something's off before it actually breaks down completely.
moderateintermediate
NOT-CLEANINGThe dishwasher's wash system isn't getting water where it needs to go, either because something's blocked, the pump's not spinning right, or water isn't filling to the correct level. Samsung's WaterWall and standard rotating-arm models fail in slightly different ways, so which model you have actually matters here.
moderateintermediate
NOT-DRAININGThe dishwasher tried to pump water out at the end of a cycle and couldn't do it. Either something's physically blocking the drain path, the pump motor's not spinning, or the drain hose path has a restriction. Water's just sitting there in the tub with nowhere to go.
moderateintermediate
NOT-DRYINGThe dishwasher finished its wash cycle but couldn't complete the drying phase because something in the drying system failed or got bypassed. Could be a dead heating element, a stuck vent that won't open to exhaust steam, a failed wax motor, or just an empty rinse aid dispenser that nobody's refilled in months.
moderateintermediate
NOT-FILLING4C fires when the control board opens the inlet valve but doesn't detect water in the tub within a set time window. Basically the machine waited, got nothing or a trickle, and gave up. The board's watching a pressure sensor or float switch, and if the water level doesn't rise fast enough, it throws the code and locks out.
moderateintermediate
NOT-WASHINGSamsung dishwashers that fill but don't wash have either a dead circulation pump, a jammed WaterWall reflector (DW80R series only), or a control board that's not activating the pump motor. The DW80R WaterWall uses a linear reflector sweeping side to side instead of spinning spray arms, and it'll jam on tall items or the small drive motor burns out.
highintermediate
OCThe water level inside the tub has risen above the safe maximum. The float switch or overflow sensor triggered a shutdown.
criticalintermediate
OEWater level reached the overflow threshold. The overflow float or level sensor triggered an emergency shutdown.
criticalintermediate
PCThe pressure switch or water level pressure sensor circuit is reporting an abnormal reading. The control board cannot determine water level accurately.
moderateintermediate
RESETThis is the procedure for rebooting Samsung's control board when it gets stuck mid-cycle. The board runs firmware that can freeze after power events and needs a full memory flush to recover and re-evaluate every connected sensor.
lowbeginner
SCThe control board timed the drain cycle and the water level sensor never confirmed the tub emptied. Basically the pump ran, or tried to, but water didn't exit the sump fast enough to satisfy the timeout. That's either a blocked path, a dead pump, or a hose problem.
moderatebeginner
SEDrain cycle failed. SE is the older firmware equivalent of SC and 5C - all three codes indicate the same drain pump or blockage fault.
moderatebeginner
SMELLSWhen your Samsung dishwasher smells bad, it means organic material, basically food, grease, and soap scum, is decomposing somewhere inside the machine. It's not a sensor fault or a mechanical failure. It's biology. Bacteria and mold are actively breaking down residue in spots the wash cycle can't reach.
moderateintermediate
SOAP-DISPENSERWhen your Samsung dishwasher's dispenser fails to fire, the solenoid-actuated spring latch didn't release at the right point in the cycle. That latch holds the door shut until the control board sends a signal during the main wash. If the solenoid can't pull the pin, or the pin's gummed up with dried detergent, that door stays shut and your dishes spin in plain water the whole time.
moderatebeginner
STOPS-1MINYour Samsung ran its startup safety checklist and something didn't pass. The board fires off three checks in the first 90 seconds: door latch closed, base pan dry, water filling. One of those answers came back wrong, so the board killed power before anything bad could happen. Pretty aggressive compared to other brands, but it's what Samsung programmed into these units.
highintermediate
TROUBLESHOOTComprehensive troubleshooting guide covering the most common Samsung dishwasher problems, symptoms, and repair paths.
moderatebeginner
TURNS-ON-ITSELFA Samsung dishwasher that powers on without anyone touching it has a control board relay that's stuck closed, a touchpad membrane sending phantom key presses, or a Delay Start that got bumped accidentally. On Wi-Fi models, a SmartThings schedule or remote app command is another common culprit that's easy to miss.
moderatebeginner
UNLOCKHow to deactivate Samsung dishwasher child lock (CL), which disables all buttons including Power and Start.
lowbeginner
WONT-STARTThe dishwasher has power and the display responds, but pressing Start doesn't trigger a wash cycle. The board's getting power but it's not sending the go signal to the motor or water inlet valve.
moderatebeginner
WONT-TURN-OFFThe dishwasher keeps running, filling with water, or won't respond to the Power button to shut down. Either the control board's stuck in an active cycle state and doesn't know it should stop, or something mechanical like the inlet valve has failed and is physically letting water in regardless of what the board's telling it.
moderatebeginner
WONT-TURN-ONThe dishwasher does not respond when the Power button is pressed. No display, no lights, no sounds.
moderatebeginner