ND is the no-drain-detected variant of Samsung's drain error family. Like SC and 5C, it starts with the pump filter.
The ND code means your Samsung ran the drain pump for 10-15 minutes and the water level didn't budge at all. Ignore it and you've got a drum full of cold soapy water sitting there getting grosser by the hour, and the machine won't finish the cycle no matter what you try. I've seen people wait days thinking it'll sort itself out. It won't. Ninety percent of the time it's junk in that debris filter and you can fix it in 20 minutes flat without ordering a single part.
SamsungWasherSeverity: moderate90% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–75 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
$30 – $55
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, Multimeter
What Does the ND Code Mean?
OK so Samsung front loaders are basically little junk collectors. Coins, hair ties, bra underwires, twist ties from bread bags, I pulled a full-size AA battery out of one last week. When ND shows up, the control board literally gave up waiting for the water to drain. Good news is most of the time this isn't a parts job at all. Check that front filter before you do anything else. Seriously. I can't tell you how many service calls I've been on where the fix was a $0 filter cleaning.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Pump filter clogged with lint or debris40%
Drain hose kinked or positioned too high24%
Drain pump motor failed22%
Foreign object in pump impeller14%
Symptoms You May Notice
Cycle stops mid-wash and you come back to find several inches of soapy water still sitting in the drum with clothes just floating there.
ND flashes on the display right around the drain phase, usually about 10-15 minutes into the cycle.
You can hear the pump humming, sometimes pretty loudly, but nothing's actually draining out.
Machine just hangs and won't advance to spin no matter how many times you hit start.
Water drains super slowly, taking 20-30 minutes for what should be a 2-minute drain, and eventually gives up and throws the code.
Can you reset a Samsung washer to clear the ND code?
After you've cleared whatever was blocking the drain, don't just hit start on the same cycle. Unplug the washer completely and wait a full 60 seconds, the capacitors need time to discharge or the board won't fully reset. Plug it back in, then select Drain and Spin specifically. That cycle is short and you'll know within a couple minutes if the fix worked. If water drains clean and the drum spins up, the code clears on its own and won't come back.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverMultimeterShallow baking pan or storage binStack of old towelsFlashlightNeedle-nose pliers
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range8–12 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
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
Drain Pump Motor AssemblyDC61-01080A · $30–$55
DC61-01080A
$30 – $55
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ND, SC, and 5C on a Samsung washer?
They're all the same problem, just different ways Samsung's software displayed it over the years. ND is the older text-based code, SC and 5C showed up on newer digital displays. In the field I treat them all exactly the same because they're all triggered the same way: pressure sensor doesn't see the water level drop within the allotted drain window. Doesn't matter which one you're staring at, your first stop is always that front debris filter. Same fix, same diagnostic steps, same parts if it comes to that.
How do I manually drain my Samsung washer when ND is stuck on the display?
Every Samsung front loader has that small access door at the bottom front. Inside you'll find a big round filter cap and a skinny black rubber hose with a plug in the end. Pull that hose out, remove the plug, and let it drain slowly into a shallow pan. It's slow but it's controlled. Just keep emptying the pan, it might take 10-15 minutes to get most of the water out. Once the flow slows to a drip you can safely unscrew the main filter cap without flooding your floor.
How often should I clean the Samsung washer pump filter to prevent ND codes?
Every two to three months is what I tell people, but if you've got a big family doing heavy laundry, once a month is smarter. The filter is right there at the bottom front and takes about five minutes once you know what you're doing. The people I see calling in with ND codes are almost always the ones who've never touched it since the machine was delivered. Some of them have filters so gunked up it looks like a solid grey brick. Clean it regularly and you'll probably never see this code.
My Samsung washer is humming but not draining. Does the pump need replacing?
Not necessarily. A hum with no drainage is actually pretty classic for an impeller jam. The motor is trying to run but something's mechanically blocking the impeller, so you hear the sound but get no water movement. Before you order a pump, pull the filter out and stick your finger in to feel the impeller. If something hard is jammed in there, a bobby pin, a screw, a piece of broken plastic, fish it out and try again. If the impeller spins freely but you're still getting nothing, then yeah, grab the multimeter and test those motor windings at 8-12 ohms.
Can I run just the spin cycle when my Samsung shows ND?
You can try selecting Drain and Spin but if the pump can't drain, it won't spin either. The machine won't go into high-speed spin with water in the drum, that's a safety thing to prevent it from going off balance and walking across your floor. What you can do is manually drain it using that emergency hose first, get the water out, then run spin-only to wring out your clothes. But you really do need to find and fix the actual drain blockage before anything works normally again.
How much does it cost to fix a Samsung ND error code?
If it's just a clogged filter, which is most of the time, it costs you nothing except 20 minutes and a few towels. Debris jammed in the impeller that you dig out yourself, also free. Where it gets real is a failed drain pump motor, which runs $30-50 for the part plus maybe an hour of your time. If you call a tech you're probably looking at $150-250 total with labor. Control board issues are rare for this specific code but if it goes that direction you're talking $200-400 parts and labor combined. Start with the filter. Seriously, always start with the filter.