All Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes: Full List and Meanings

Quick Answer

Samsung dishwasher error codes are two-character codes indicating system faults. Most common: LC (leak sensor, often condensation), 4C (no water), SC/5C/SE (drain blocked), OC/OE (overfill). Reset by holding Start/Cancel 3 seconds. LC requires draining the base pan - a reset alone will not clear it.

If your Samsung dishwasher just stopped mid-cycle with a code on the display, most of these are fixable without a service call and a lot of them are false alarms. LC especially. But ignore them long enough and you're looking at a burned-out motor or water damage under the unit, and that gets expensive fast. Know your code, fix the cause, then reset.

SamsungDishwasherSeverity: moderate82% DIY Success

Time to Fix

5–180 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$12 – $180

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Multimeter

What Does the ERROR-CODES Code Mean?

Samsung dishwashers use two-character codes to tell you exactly what went wrong. Here's what most people don't know: some codes have three different names depending on which generation your machine is from. SC, 5C, and SE? Same exact drain fault, different display. I've shown up to jobs where someone bought the wrong part because they Googled the wrong code. This page keeps it all in one place so that doesn't happen to you.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

LC / base pan moisture30%

SC/5C/SE drain blockage25%

4C water supply fault18%

LE/3C/9E/PC component fault15%

OC/OE overfill12%

Symptoms You May Notice

A two-character code is frozen on the display and the machine won't respond to any button presses at all.
The dishwasher stopped somewhere in the middle of a cycle, there's standing water at the bottom of the tub, and it just won't drain.
Machine won't even fill with water. You press Start, it hums for a second, and then nothing.
On older models without a numeric display, every single indicator light on the panel is flashing at the same time, which basically means the machine is screaming at you.
The unit fills, runs for about 90 seconds, then stops and throws a code before any actual washing happens.

Can you reset a Samsung dishwasher to clear the ERROR-CODES code?

Hold Start/Cancel for a full 3 seconds until you hear a beep and the display clears. Wait 30 seconds before starting a new cycle so the board fully reboots. For LC specifically, tilting the unit 45 degrees forward onto some old towels for about 20 minutes drains the base pan before you reset. Otherwise it'll just keep coming back.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverMultimeterSmall cleaning brush or old toothbrushFlashlightOld towels or rags for base pan drainage

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Press and hold Sanitize + Hi-Temp for 5 seconds. Display scrolls through fault codes.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Leak SensorDD81-01399A · $15–$28	DD81-01399A	$15 – $28
Float SwitchDD66-00057A · $12–$22	DD66-00057A	$12 – $22
Water Inlet ValveDD62-00136A · $25–$42	DD62-00136A	$25 – $42
Drain PumpDD31-00005A · $30–$52	DD31-00005A	$30 – $52
Wash Motor AssemblyDD81-02095A · $100–$180	DD81-02095A	$100 – $180
Water Level SensorDD96-01018A · $15–$28	DD96-01018A	$15 – $28
Motor Control BoardDD92-00134A · $80–$150	DD92-00134A	$80 – $150

Frequently Asked Questions

How many error codes does a Samsung dishwasher have?

About 11 documented error codes: LC, OC, OE, 4C, SC, 5C, SE, LE, 9E, PC, and 3C. But here's where it gets confusing. SC, 5C, and SE aren't three different problems. They're the same drain fault, just displayed differently depending on which generation your dishwasher is from. Early models showed SE, mid-generation showed 5C, and current models show SC. So if you're Googling one and not finding anything useful, try searching the others too. Same fix no matter which one's on your display.

What does it mean when a Samsung dishwasher shows an error code and won't start?

The machine detected something it doesn't like and locked itself out as a safety measure. First thing: identify the code, don't just mash buttons hoping it clears. Look it up, figure out which system it's pointing at, and actually fix that thing. Once you've addressed the real cause, hold Start/Cancel for 3 seconds to clear it. If you just reset without fixing anything, the code's coming right back on the next cycle. Some codes like LC will come back every single time until you deal with the base pan situation specifically.

Can Samsung dishwasher error codes appear randomly without a real fault?

Yeah, definitely. LC is the biggest offender by far. I've walked into probably 30 or 40 service calls where someone was convinced they had a leak, but it was just condensation from a heavy hot wash cycle that dripped down into the base pan. No actual leak anywhere. The sensor doesn't know the difference between condensation and a busted supply hose, it just knows there's moisture. 4C can also show up when your water pressure temporarily drops, like right after someone flushed a toilet or ran the shower. If a code appears once and never comes back after a reset, it was probably a one-time thing.

What's the difference between SC, 5C, and SE on a Samsung dishwasher?

Nothing, they're all the same drain fault code. Samsung changed how they display it across model generations. Older machines from around 2012 and earlier typically show SE. Mid-range models from roughly 2013 to 2017 usually show 5C. Current production models show SC. The fix is identical no matter which one you're looking at: start with your drain filter, then check the drain hose for kinks, then the drain pump itself. Honestly nine times out of ten it's the filter. Cleaning it takes about 5 minutes and costs nothing.

Why does my Samsung dishwasher keep showing LC even after I reset it?

Because resetting the code doesn't dry out the base pan. The LC sensor is basically a small float that sits in the tray underneath the dishwasher tub. When moisture gets in there, the float rises and signals the control board that there's a leak. Resetting just clears the display. The float's still wet, still floating, still sending the same signal on the next cycle. You've got to tilt the machine forward about 45 degrees onto some towels for 15 to 20 minutes to let that water drain out. Then reset. If LC comes back again after doing all that, you've got an actual slow drip coming from somewhere and you need to find it.

Is it safe to keep using my Samsung dishwasher while an error code is showing?

Depends on the code. For OC or OE, stop immediately. Overfill means water is going places it shouldn't, and running it risks flooding under your cabinets. For LC, same deal, running it repeatedly while the base pan is wet can damage the leak sensor and the control board. For 4C or SC, you're not going to cause physical damage by trying again, but the machine won't actually complete a cycle anyway so there's no point. LE is a locked motor situation and running it won't help. Basically, don't keep hammering Start trying to muscle through an error code.

Related Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: LCSamsung Dishwasher LC Error Code: Leak Sensor Triggered Code: OCSamsung Dishwasher OC Error Code: Overfill Detected Code: 4CSamsung Dishwasher 4C Error Code: Water Supply Fault Code: SCSamsung Dishwasher SC Error Code: Drain Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Samsung shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Samsung dishwasherHow to Start a Samsung Dishwasher Samsung dishwasherSamsung Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes: Causes and Fixes

Models Known to Experience ERROR-CODES Errors

This repair applies to most Samsung dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

DW80R9950US, DW80R2031US, DW80T5040US, DW80K5050US, DW80N6070US, DW80M9550US

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026