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5ESamsung Washer

Samsung Washer Error 5E – Meaning, Causes & How to Fix

The washer failed to drain water from the tub within the allotted drain cycle time.

Medium Severity
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Expert Verified

Reviewed by a Certified Electrical Engineer & Licensed Technician

Official Meaning

The washer failed to drain water from the tub within the allotted drain cycle time. The drain pump could not evacuate water fast enough or at all.

Real-World Causes

  • 1Drain pump filter is clogged with lint, coins, buttons, or small objects from pockets
  • 2Drain hose is kinked, crushed, or pushed too far into the standpipe
  • 3Drain pump impeller is jammed by a foreign object like a hairpin or coin
  • 4Home plumbing drain line is partially blocked or running slow
  • 5Drain pump motor has failed mechanically or electrically
  • 6Excess detergent causing thick suds that are difficult to pump out

Symptoms

Look for these signs to confirm error 5E on your Samsung Washer:

  • 5E error code displayed during the drain or spin portion of the cycle
  • Water remains visibly standing in the drum after the cycle stops
  • Humming or buzzing sound from the pump area without any water draining
  • Washer stops mid-cycle and will not advance to the next stage
  • Foul smell developing from stagnant water if error is not resolved quickly

DIY Fix (Safe)

  1. 1Locate the drain filter access panel – usually at the bottom-left front of the machine behind a small cover
  2. 2Place towels and a shallow container under the filter area to catch water, then slowly unscrew the filter cap to drain the tub
  3. 3Pull out the filter completely and remove any debris – coins, buttons, lint buildup, hairpins
  4. 4Check the drain hose for kinks and ensure it is not pushed more than 15cm (6 inches) into the standpipe
  5. 5Run a drain-only or spin-only cycle to test if the pump now evacuates water properly
  6. 6If other fixtures on the same drain are also slow, the issue is in your plumbing, not the washer

Professional Action Required

  1. 1Disassemble and inspect the drain pump for impeller damage or foreign objects lodged deep inside
  2. 2Test the drain pump motor windings with a multimeter for continuity – replace if open circuit
  3. 3Inspect the pressure switch and air trap hose for blockages preventing water level detection
  4. 4Check the main control board for burnt relay contacts on the drain pump circuit
  5. 5If the home drain plumbing is the root cause, refer to a plumber to snake the drain line

Additional Context

Load Type
Any – often triggered by accumulated debris over many wash cycles
Drain Related
true
Sensor Issues
Faulty water level pressure sensor can falsely trigger 5E if it cannot detect that water has drained

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samsung Washer error 5E mean?
Error 5E (sometimes displayed as SE on older models) means your Samsung washer cannot drain the water from the tub. The most common cause is a clogged drain pump filter, which is an easy DIY fix.
How do I drain the water with a 5E error?
Open the drain filter access panel at the bottom-left of the machine. Place a shallow container underneath. Slowly unscrew the filter cap – water will flow out gradually. Once drained, fully remove and clean the filter before replacing it.

Related Error Codes

Other Samsung Washer Errors

4EThe control board detected insufficient water entering the tub during the fill cycle
UEThe washer detected an unbalanced load during the spin cycle
dEThe washer detected that the door is not properly closed or the door lock mechanism has failed to engage
LEWater leak detected

About the Author

Technical Review Team

Reviewed by certified appliance technicians with 10+ years of Samsung repair experience. Every error code is verified against manufacturer service manuals and real-world repair data.