Samsung 5C washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What 5C actually means

Your Samsung washer can't get the water out of the drum, so it has stopped mid-cycle with a tub full of water.

The machine expects the water level to drop within a set time once the drain pump runs. When it doesn't, it flags 5C (the same fault older Samsung models show as 5E) and halts rather than carrying on to spin. You'll usually find the door locked and standing water in the drum.

What 5C looks like on a Samsung washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Samsung washing machine, 5C usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Blocked pump filter at the bottom front of the machine
Debris caught in the sump hose between drum and pump — coins, bra wires, hair grips
Drain hose kinked, pushed too far into the standpipe, or the standpipe itself blocked
Worn or seized drain pump
Faulty pressure switch reading the water level wrongly

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then restart a rinse and spin to see if it clears.
Open the small flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and drain and clean the pump filter — check for coins and fluff in the housing.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, trapped against the wall or pushed more than a few inches into the standpipe.
Pour a jug of water down your sink standpipe to confirm it isn't slow or blocked.

Common questions about Samsung 5C

What does 5C mean on a Samsung washing machine?

Your Samsung washer can't get the water out of the drum, so it has stopped mid-cycle with a tub full of water. The machine expects the water level to drop within a set time once the drain pump runs. When it doesn't, it flags 5C (the same fault older Samsung models show as 5E) and halts rather than carrying on to spin. You'll usually find the door locked and standing water in the drum.

Can I fix Samsung 5C myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then restart a rinse and spin to see if it clears.
Open the small flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and drain and clean the pump filter — check for coins and fluff in the housing.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, trapped against the wall or pushed more than a few inches into the standpipe.
Pour a jug of water down your sink standpipe to confirm it isn't slow or blocked.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Samsung 5C?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing 5C?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Samsung washing machine codes

All Samsung fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Samsung 5C error — washing machine