Samsung Washer Error Code 5E: Water Not Draining
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What Error Code 5E Means
Your Samsung washer displays 5E when it cannot pump out the water within the allotted drain time. The control board monitors the water level sensor during the drain phase. If the water level does not drop within about 15 minutes, the cycle stops and the 5E code locks onto the display. Water remains in the tub until the drainage problem is fixed.
Common Causes
Clogged debris filter (coin trap)
The small access panel on the front bottom of the washer hides a twist-out debris filter. Coins, hair ties, lint, and small objects accumulate here and block the drain path.
Blocked or kinked drain hose
The corrugated drain hose running from the back of the washer to the standpipe or sink is kinked, pinched behind the machine, or clogged with lint and debris.
Drain pump failure
The electric drain pump motor burns out or a foreign object (underwire, coin, button) jams the pump impeller. A jammed impeller prevents the pump from spinning.
Standpipe or plumbing blockage
The household drain line where the washer hose connects is clogged. This is a plumbing issue, not a washer issue, but it triggers the same 5E code.
How to Fix It
- 1
Prepare for water spillage
Place towels and a shallow baking pan or container under the debris filter access panel on the front bottom of the washer. The tub is full of water and it will flow out when you open the filter. On front-loaders, this panel is on the lower right or left corner.
Unplug the washer before opening the filter panel. If the water is from a hot wash cycle, wait 20 minutes for it to cool.
- 2
Drain through the emergency hose
Open the access panel cover. You will see a small rubber emergency drain hose next to the filter cap. Pull the hose out, remove its plug, and let the water drain into a shallow pan. Empty the pan as needed. This slowly drains the tub without flooding the floor.
- 3
Clean the debris filter
Once the tub is empty, twist the debris filter cap counterclockwise and pull it out. Remove any coins, hair, lint, buttons, or fabric caught in the filter housing. Rinse the filter cap under running water. Scrub the mesh with a toothbrush. Inspect the pump impeller inside the housing and spin it by hand to confirm it rotates freely.
- 4
Check the drain hose
Pull the washer forward and inspect the drain hose from the back of the machine to the standpipe. Straighten any kinks. Disconnect the hose from the standpipe and blow through it or run water through it in a sink to check for clogs. Remove any blockages with a long flexible brush or a straightened wire hanger.
- 5
Test the drain pump
Plug in the washer and run a Spin Only cycle. Listen at the bottom front of the machine. You should hear the pump motor humming. If you hear nothing, the pump motor is dead. If you hear a loud buzzing or grinding, the impeller is jammed or the motor bearings are worn. Either condition requires pump replacement.
Do not reach into the machine while it is plugged in and running.
- 6
Verify the standpipe is clear
Pour a gallon of water directly into the standpipe (the wall drain pipe). If it backs up or drains very slowly, the clog is in your household plumbing. You will need a drain snake or a plumber to clear the line. This is not a washer malfunction.
When to Call a Professional
Call a technician if the drain pump is silent or grinding, if the impeller will not turn by hand, or if the code persists after clearing the filter and hose. TruePro's $59 diagnostic fee is credited toward your repair, and all work carries a 90-day warranty on parts and labor. Same-day service is often available across LA County, Orange County, and Ventura County. Call 877-378-3111.
Estimated Repair Cost
| Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY (parts only) | $0 - $45 |
| Professional repair | $175 - $375 |
Cleaning the filter and hose costs nothing. A replacement drain pump runs $25-45 for the part. Professional repair includes the $59 diagnostic (credited toward repair), pump, and labor. First-time customers get 15% off labor with code NEW15.
See full washer repair cost breakdown βSamsung Washer 5E β FAQ
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