Samsung washing machine 5C error code
What 5C means on a Samsung washing machine
Drain fault, often a blocked or faulty drain pump.
Meaning checked by NAC's engineers, 9 November 2026.
What our engineers say
When your Samsung washing machine shows the 5C code, it is telling you it has a drain fault, and this is often down to a blocked or faulty drain pump. You may notice the machine is not draining, is not spinning, or is stopping part way through a cycle.
Engineers sometimes find the drain pump itself has failed, either jamming, running weakly and noisily, or not running at all even though power is reaching it. They also sometimes find something blocking the way out, such as a sock, a colour catcher that has slipped past the drum, or a small object like a safety pin caught in the filter or the hose beneath the drum. Now and then a separate fault, such as a door lock that will not lock, turns up alongside it.
An engineer will usually clear out any standing water, check the filter, hoses and waste pipe for blockages, and test whether the pump is working properly. A blockage can often be cleared on the spot. If the pump has failed, it is replaced, and the new pump often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Written by our engineers from NAC's own jobs.
Faults this code turns up with
What our engineers found and fixed for each, from NAC's own repair records, with Samsung's own figures where we have enough of them.
What we fixed. We'll add what our engineers found, the parts they fitted and what customers typically paid once enough of these repairs are confirmed. How we work out our figures.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the washing machine off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- An error code tells you where to look, not that it's safe to take the washing machine apart. Don't remove panels or covers to get at the parts it points to: that's an engineer's job.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
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