Samsung dishwasher codes are two characters long, and they group neatly into a handful of systems: water in, water out, leaks, heating, and electronics. Know which group you are in and you know what to check first.
Samsung publishes what each one means. National Appliance Repairs services Samsung dishwashers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Don’t clear the code first
Samsung’s own guidance makes a point worth starting with: troubleshoot before you reset the dishwasher or clear the code. Clearing it first leaves the cause in place, and the code comes back, sometimes after the machine has run in a way that makes the problem worse.
Note the code, then work through the section that matches it.
The codes and what Samsung says they mean
| Code | System | Samsung’s description |
|---|---|---|
| 4C or 4E | Water in | Water supply error |
| 5C or 5E | Water out | Drainage problem |
| LC or LE | Leak | The leak sensor detects moisture |
| HC or HE | Heating | Heating issue |
| tE | Sensor | Temperature sensor error |
| 3C | Pump | Pump operation error |
| PC | Spray system | Zone Wash error |
| 7E | Spray system | WaterWall reflector error |
| bE or 6E | Controls | Button error |
| CE | Controls | Communication error |
Samsung lists both forms for most codes, such as 4C and 4E. The meaning is the same.
4C or 4E: no water coming in
Samsung’s guidance for a water supply error is to check the water supply valve, confirm water is available, and inspect the inlet for blockages.
- Open the isolation tap fully under the sink.
- Check the house has normal pressure at the kitchen tap.
- Check the inlet hose for kinks behind the cabinetry.
- Clean the inlet filter at the hose connection, if your model has one.
5C or 5E: not draining
Samsung’s guidance is to close the water supply, check the drain hose, and inspect the pump’s drain hole for blockages.
- Clean the filter in the base of the tub. Take it apart and rinse each piece.
- Check the drain hose for kinks and for a crushed section behind the cabinetry.
- Check the sink waste connection, and on a new installation make sure the knockout inside the waste spigot was punched through.
- Look into the drain sump for debris blocking the outlet.
LC or LE: the code that means stop
LC is the one to take seriously. Samsung’s description is that the leak sensor in the base has detected moisture, and that when this happens the dishwasher will turn itself on and will not turn off. That is the drain pump running continuously to clear water it has detected where it should not be.
Samsung’s instruction is clear: close the water supply valve, turn off the circuit breaker, and contact a technician.
It is the same flood protection idea used across the premium brands. Bosch reports it as E15, and our guide to the Bosch E15 error explains how the base tray and float system works.
Two causes have nothing broken behind them:
- Too much detergent, or the wrong detergent. Foam overflows the tub into the base.
- A machine recently moved or tilted. Water can splash onto the sensor.
Everything else, from a door seal to a hose connection to the pump, is a leak that needs finding.
HE, tE and 3C
HE or HC points to heating. Dishes come out cold and wet, or the cycle runs very long. The element, its control, or the temperature sensing needs testing.
tE is the temperature sensor reporting an implausible reading.
3C is a pump operation error. Samsung’s general advice is to turn the dishwasher off and back on. If the code returns, it needs service.
All three are technician faults once a power cycle has failed to clear them.
When to book
Book immediately on LC or LE. Book on 4C or 5C that persists after the checks above, and on any heating, sensor, pump or communication code that returns after a restart.
Our dishwasher repair service covers Samsung across all five capitals, with same-day appointments subject to availability, upfront quoting, and a 12-month parts warranty with a 3-month labour warranty.
Call:
- Melbourne 03 9123 0548
- Sydney 02 9621 5988
- Brisbane 07 3166 9770
- Adelaide 08 7123 4027 or
- Perth 08 9470 4450
Tell us the code and the model number from the dishwasher’s rating label.
For drainage checks that apply to any brand, see our guide to dishwashers that won’t drain.
Frequently asked questions
What does LC mean on a Samsung dishwasher?
The leak sensor has detected moisture in the base. Samsung says the dishwasher will turn itself on and not turn off. Close the water supply, switch off at the circuit breaker, and call a technician.
What does 4C mean on a Samsung dishwasher?
A water supply error. Check the tap is open, the house has pressure, and the inlet hose is not kinked or blocked.
What does 5C mean on a Samsung dishwasher?
A drainage problem. Clean the filter, check the drain hose and sink connection, and look for debris in the drain sump.
Why won’t my Samsung dishwasher turn off?
Most likely an LC or LE leak code. The pump runs to clear water from the base. Switch off at the circuit breaker and close the water supply.
Are Samsung dishwasher codes the same as Samsung washing machine codes?
Some look the same, such as 4C and 5C, but they belong to a different appliance with different parts. Check the instructions are for your dishwasher.
The short version
4C is water in, 5C is water out, and both usually have causes outside the machine. HE, tE and 3C are heating, sensor and pump faults for a technician once a restart has failed.
LC is the one that means stop: water off, breaker off, and call. National Appliance Repairs services Samsung dishwashers across five capitals with upfront quoting. Book online or call your nearest office.
Sources to link at publish: Samsung support, dishwasher error code list · Samsung support, 5C/5E, 4C/4E and LC/LE codes (use the samsung.com/au equivalents, confirm URLs at publish)
