Samsung Washer SE/5E Error Code: Drain Error (Older Models)

Quick Answer

SE and 5E are the same drain fault displayed on older Samsung top-load and front-load washers. SE appears on models with alphanumeric displays; 5E appears on numeric-only displays. Both mean the drain pump ran but water level did not drop in time.

I see this code most often when a stray hairpin or coin makes its way past the tub seal and jams the pump impeller. While it looks like a major failure, about 80 percent of the time you can get the machine running again without buying parts just by clearing the debris. If you hear a faint humming or clicking when it should be draining, that's your smoking gun.

SamsungWasherSeverity: moderate90% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–75 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$30 – $55

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver

What Does the SE Code Mean?

What catches most homeowners off guard is that SE and 5E usually strike mid-cycle, leaving you with a tub full of soapy water and a locked door. This code triggers when the control board doesn't see the water level sensor drop within a specific timeframe, usually about ten minutes. It's the legacy version of the modern SC error, and honestly it's one of the more fixable codes you'll run into on an older Samsung.

Most Likely Causes

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

Pump filter (coin trap) clogged with lint or debris40%

Drain hose kinked or positioned too high24%

Drain pump motor failed electrically22%

Foreign object lodged in the pump impeller14%

Symptoms You May Notice

Standing water in the drum after the cycle stops, sometimes with suds still floating in it.
SE or 5E flashing on the display mid-cycle, right at the point when it should be draining.
Machine completely pauses at the drain step and won't advance no matter how long you wait.
A faint buzzing or humming from the bottom of the machine during what should be the drain cycle, but the water level never drops.
Door stays locked after the cycle ends because the board won't release the latch until it thinks the tub is empty.

Can you reset a Samsung washer to clear the SE code?

Unplug the washer for a full 60 seconds. Don't just flip the breaker and flip it back, actually wait the full minute so the capacitors on the control board discharge. Plug it back in, then run a Drain and Spin cycle with nothing in the tub. If the drain issue is fixed, the water clears out and the code won't come back. If the pump just hums and SE shows up again, there's still a blockage or the pump needs to be replaced.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverMultimeter with ohms settingShallow pan or bucket (2 gallon minimum)Old towelsNeedle-nose pliersFlashlight or headlamp

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range10–15 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

Is SE the same as 5E on a Samsung washer?

They're identical. Samsung used different control boards over the years, and the older numeric displays couldn't form the letter S properly so it renders as a 5. Regardless of which one you see, the machine's telling you the water isn't leaving the tub fast enough. Same diagnostic path, same fixes, same parts. Don't let the different display confuse you.

My Samsung washer shows SE but still drains slowly. Is it really failing?

Yeah, it's failing. The sensor's looking for the water to hit the empty mark within a set time window. If lint or a small sock is partially blocking the flow, the water might eventually drain but it takes too long and the board times out. And here's the thing, don't ignore a slow drain. Every time that pump strains against a partial blockage it runs hotter than it should. Keep doing that and you'll burn out the motor windings, turning a free clean-out job into a $50 parts replacement.

How do I get the water out before I can start working on this?

Check the bottom front panel of your machine. Most older Samsung models have a small rubber drain hose tucked in there right next to the coin trap filter. It's maybe 6 inches long with a little end cap on it. Pull that hose out, grab a shallow pan, pop the cap and let it drain. You'll need to empty the bucket two or three times for a full load. If your model doesn't have that emergency hose, crack the filter cap open very slowly with towels everywhere and let it trickle out a little at a time. Slow is better than five gallons on your floor.

How much does a Samsung drain pump cost and is it worth fixing?

Usually $30 to $55 for the pump depending on where you source it. DC31-00054A covers most older front loaders. DC61-01080A for top loaders. Installation takes maybe 45 minutes the first time you do it. So yeah, almost always worth fixing versus buying a new machine. The one time I'd skip the repair is if the washer is already 12 or more years old and showing other problems too, because at that point you're chasing a machine that's on its way out anyway.

Can I keep using the washer while this is happening if it eventually drains?

Honestly, no. I know that's not what you want to hear. But running it when the drain is struggling puts real stress on the pump motor. Each time that motor strains against a partial clog it runs way hotter than it's designed to. Do it enough and you fry the windings completely, which turns a free 20-minute clean-out into a parts replacement. Fix the drain first, then do laundry.

Does Samsung have a diagnostic mode I can enter to confirm the SE error?

On a lot of older Samsung washers you can get into a test mode by pressing and holding Temp and Spin together for about 3 seconds, though the exact sequence varies by model series. Honestly for SE and 5E, the diagnostic mode isn't super useful because the error code is already telling you exactly what failed. The real diagnosis happens at the filter and pump, not on the control panel. Save the service mode tricks for codes that aren't this obvious.

Related Samsung Washer Error Codes

Code: SCSamsung Washer SC Error Code: Drain Failure Code: 5CSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Code: NDSamsung Washer ND Error Code: No Drain Detected

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 SE Errors

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

WA54R7200AW, WA50R5400AW, WA45T3400AW, WF45H5200AW, WF45R6100AW, WA52A5500AC, WF42H5000AW, WF56H9100AG

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026