Samsung 5E 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 5E actually means

The machine has tried to pump the water out and, after about ten minutes, the water level hasn't dropped — so it stops and shows 5E.

Samsung's control board watches the water level through the pressure sensor. If the level hasn't fallen below the reset point within ten minutes of the drain starting, it flags a drain fault and holds the cycle, usually with a drum full of water and clothes soaked. On some displays this same code reads as 2E — it's the same fault, not a different one.

What 5E 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, 5E usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
No function at all

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

Coins, hair clips or bra wires jammed in the pump filter or impeller
A failed drain pump (very common on Samsung machines)
Kinked or blocked drain hose, or a blocked sink spigot/waste pipe
Debris in the sump hose between drum and pump
Blocked pressure sensor hose, so the machine can't see the water level dropping

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 before doing anything.
Open the small flap at the front bottom, drain the water off through the emergency hose into a bowl, then unscrew and clean the pump filter — check for coins, wire and hair.
With the filter out, check the impeller behind it turns freely by hand.
Straighten the drain hose at the back and make sure it isn't crushed behind the machine.
If the hose feeds into a sink standpipe or spigot, check that outlet isn't blocked.
Press Start/Pause to clear the code and let it try draining again.

Common questions about Samsung 5E

What does 5E mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine has tried to pump the water out and, after about ten minutes, the water level hasn't dropped — so it stops and shows 5E. Samsung's control board watches the water level through the pressure sensor. If the level hasn't fallen below the reset point within ten minutes of the drain starting, it flags a drain fault and holds the cycle, usually with a drum full of water and clothes soaked. On some displays this same code reads as 2E — it's the same fault, not a different one.

Can I fix Samsung 5E myself?

There are 6 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall before doing anything.
Open the small flap at the front bottom, drain the water off through the emergency hose into a bowl, then unscrew and clean the pump filter — check for coins, wire and hair.
With the filter out, check the impeller behind it turns freely by hand.
Straighten the drain hose at the back and make sure it isn't crushed behind the machine.
If the hose feeds into a sink standpipe or spigot, check that outlet isn't blocked.
Press Start/Pause to clear the code and let it try draining again.

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

How much does it cost to repair Samsung 5E?

£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 5E?

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 5E error — washing machine