Samsung · Washing machine · Error code

5C – Drain fault

Water is not draining from the drum within the expected time.

Severity: Medium · Typical fix time: 20–40 minutes · Affects: Samsung inverter range

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Smart summary for 5C

This quick AI-style overview sums up how serious this error is, how hard it usually is to fix yourself and roughly how long it takes.

Risk level Medium
DIY difficulty Moderate – follow steps carefully and stop if unsure.
Typical time to resolve 20–40 minutes

What 5C means

Error 5C (sometimes shown as SC) indicates that the washer has been unable to pump water out of the drum in time.

Common causes

  • Blocked pump filter at the front of the machine
  • Kinked or obstructed drain hose
  • Household drain or standpipe restriction

Quick checks you can do yourself

  1. Turn off and unplug the washer.
  2. Open the small access door at the bottom front and carefully remove the drain filter.
  3. Drain remaining water into a shallow tray and remove coins, lint and debris from the filter and cavity.
  4. Inspect the drain hose for kinks and ensure the household drain can accept water freely.
  5. Refit the filter securely and run a spin/drain cycle to test.

Always unplug the appliance and switch off power at the mains before removing panels or working near wiring or water connections.

When to call a professional

If the pump makes grinding or humming noises or 5C returns after cleaning, the pump or internal pipework may require a technician.

Recommended next steps

Cleaning the filter every few months and keeping pockets clear helps prevent further 5C drain issues.