Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes: Complete Guide

Quick Answer

Samsung dishwasher error codes include LC (leak sensor), OC and OE (overfill), 4C (no water supply), SC/5C (drain fault), LE (motor locked), 9E (water level sensor), PC (pressure sensor), SE (drain, older firmware), and 3C (motor communication). LC is the most common and is frequently a false positive triggered by condensation.

I've seen this exact panic a hundred times. Samsung dishwashers shut down hard when something's off, and the codes are their way of telling you exactly where to look. Ignore a code like LE or OC and you're looking at a burnt pump or a flooded kitchen floor. Most of these are protective shutdowns, not death sentences for your machine. But the longer you wait, the worse and more expensive it gets.

SamsungDishwasher

About These Samsung Dishwasher Error Codes

OK so here's the deal with Samsung dishwasher codes. They've got an aggressive control board that monitors everything, and if a sensor reading's even slightly off, it stops and throws a code. Good news is most of these are fixable at home without a service call. Bad news is there are like a dozen different codes, and some of them, especially LC, are notorious false positives that'll drive you absolutely crazy if you don't know what you're looking for.

Most Common Error Codes

Water in base pan triggering leak sensor (LC)40%

Blocked drain filter or pump mesh (SC/5C)24%

Closed or low-pressure water supply (4C)14%

Wash motor failure on WaterWall models (LE/3C)12%

Float switch stuck open triggering overfill (OC/OE)10%

Symptoms You May Notice

A two-character code like LC, 4C, or SC sitting frozen on the display while the machine just sits there completely dead mid-cycle
You load it up, hit start, and it just beeps repeatedly and won't do anything at all, sometimes cycling every 30 seconds like clockwork
Standing water in the bottom of the tub after a cycle was supposed to finish, or a cycle that never even started draining
All the control panel lights flashing at once and none of the buttons doing a single thing when you press them
Water pooled on the kitchen floor under or around the front of the dishwasher, sometimes with suds

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T20 screwdriverDigital multimeterSmall stiff brush or old toothbrush for cleaning pump meshWet/dry shop vac or old towels to soak up base pan moistureFlashlight or headlamp

Service / Diagnostic Mode

With the dishwasher on, press and hold Sanitize + Hi-Temp together for 5 seconds. All display segments will light up briefly, then show the most recent stored error code.

How to Identify Your Error Code

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset a Samsung dishwasher error code?

The fastest way is to hold the Start button for three seconds. You'll hear the drain pump kick on briefly and then the display should clear. If that doesn't do it, you'll need to flip the breaker for a full 60 seconds to drain the capacitors on the control board. One thing to keep in mind: if you've got an LC code, the machine has a physical moisture sensor in the base tray. It'll keep throwing that error until the water down there is actually gone, no matter how many times you reset the electronics. Dry the tray first, then reset.

What is the most common Samsung dishwasher error code?

Honestly, it's LC by a mile. I probably get three of those calls for every one of anything else. It means the leak sensor in the base pan detected moisture, but it's usually just condensation from a steamy cycle or a tiny bit of water that splashed in there. If you don't see any water on your floor, tilt the front of the dishwasher up slightly to help drain the base pan, let it sit open for a few hours, and try again. If it keeps coming back, then you've actually got a slow leak somewhere worth tracking down.

How do I enter Samsung dishwasher diagnostic mode?

Make sure the dishwasher is powered on, then press and hold the Sanitize and Hi-Temp buttons together for about five seconds. The display should light up all the segments at once and then cycle through the stored error codes in memory. This is super useful if you're trying to figure out whether a problem is new or if it's been happening quietly for a while. I always pull the fault history before I start replacing any parts because sometimes you'll see a pattern that changes what you're actually looking for.

Is SC the same as 5C on a Samsung dishwasher?

Yes, they're the same fault, just displayed differently depending on how old your model is. Older Samsung dishwashers show 5C, newer ones show SC. Both mean the machine can't drain. Usually it's a kinked drain hose, a clogged connection at the sink drain, or something physical jammed in the drain pump impeller like a piece of glass or a toothpick. Pull the filter out first and check the pump mesh before you do anything else. That fixes probably 60% of SC codes I see.

What's the difference between OC and OE on a Samsung dishwasher?

Both codes mean the machine thinks it's overflowing, but they come from slightly different triggers. OC is typically the overflow float switch in the base detecting too much water, while OE is more of a general overfill condition flagged by the water level sensor. In practice the fix is usually the same: shut off the water supply under the sink, check if the float switch is stuck up from soap scum buildup, and make sure the drain isn't backing up and letting water re-enter the tub. A cleaned float switch and a clear drain line clears both codes most of the time.

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 Code: LESamsung Dishwasher LE Error Code: Motor Locked

Same Fix Works on These Brands

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

Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3E Error Code: Motor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4E Error Code: Water Supply Fault (Top Load)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8C Error Code: Vibration Sensor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8E Error Code: Motor Frequency Sensor Fault

Models Known to Experience HUB 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 14, 2026