Samsung Washer Code SE Or 5E: Troubleshooting Guide

Whether you’re looking for answers about the SE or 5E error code on your Samsung washer, you’ve come to the right place. Although easily misread as SE, we’re actually talking about the 5E error code which points to a drain problem. Don’t worry though, you’ll find the answers you need in this guide!

When your Samsung washing machine shows a 5E error code (which can look like SE instead), it’s experiencing a drain problem. The most likely causes are a clogged drain pump filter, a damaged/faulty drain pump, or even an unbalanced washer. Adjust the washer so it’s perfectly level, clean the drain filter, and inspect the drain pump. Then, reset the washer and test to ensure it can drain as it should.

In the following sections, we will take a deep dive into the 5E (or SE) error code on your Samsung washing machine. Then, we’ll explore the most likely causes of this problem and the solutions that you can use to make things work correctly again.

Let’s get started.

What The SE or 5E Code Means On A Samsung Washer

The 5E or SE error code that you see on your Samsung washer indicates a drain problem. That means the washing machine is not able to drain water out of the machine and into your household’s drainage system as it should.

Remember: for any Samsung washer to function correctly, it must let water in and drain it out. So, the 5E error code is not something to take lightly, as it could prevent you from using the washing machine at all.

To troubleshoot this issue, you’ll need to inspect the washing machine’s adjustable legs, its drain filter, and its drain pump as well. A fault at any of these parts will trigger the 5E error to appear on your washer.

Other Symptoms Accompanying the 5E Error Code

Thankfully, the 5E error code does have some accompanying symptoms that you can look out for. These signs are useful in helping you to confirm that there is indeed a problem with the washer’s drain function.

Some tell-tale signs that go along with the 5E error code include:

• When the wash cycle ends, the machine takes longer than usual to drain all the water out.
• The washer stops right in the middle of a wash cycle for no apparent reason.
• Whenever the washer stops, there’s still water left behind inside the drum.

These signs confirm that the 5E error code points to a real problem instead of a false positive. So, in the next section, we’ll identify some of the most likely causes of these problems and what you can do to fix them.

Possible Causes and Solutions

Washing Machine Is Not Level

How this happens: Your Samsung washing machine must always be perfectly level. These machines are designed so that gravity plays a crucial role in helping the water drain. Of course, this happens with the help of the drain pump, which we will discuss later.

There are two reasons why your washer might not be level. Firstly, the washer might have been placed on a surface that isn’t perfectly flat. Second, and more likely, the adjustable legs of the washer haven’t been adjusted correctly.

How to fix it: For this first reason, the fix is pretty straightforward. First, make sure that you’ve placed the washer in a spot where the floor is perfectly level. If not, you can move it to another part of your laundry room or home that’s more suitable.

Next, turn the adjustable legs underneath the washer until the machine becomes balanced. Using a spirit level or something similar will help you determine when you get it adjusted perfectly.

Clogged Drain Filter

What it is: The drain filter is located at the front of the washer, closer to the floor. It is kept out of sight behind a small panel that’s easy to open without any tools. 

As the name suggests, it filters the washing machine’s drain water. The filter catches lint, dirt, and foreign objects that fall from clothes pockets inside the washer.

Ideally, this filter should be cleaned at least once every few months.

How it fails: As mentioned above, the drain filter captures lint, dirt, and foreign objects in the washing machine’s drain water. Over an extended period, that filter will become saturated with the things that it catches.

If the filter isn’t cleaned, it will begin to obstruct the flow of drain water and trigger the 5E error code.

How to fix it: To fix this problem, you will need to clean the drain filter. Follow these steps:

• Firstly, open the small panel so you can access the filter. It’s the only panel on the front of your washer, so you can’t miss it.
• Next, lay a few pieces of cloth on the floor around that filter. Excess water will flow out when you remove the filter.
• Then, gently twist the drain filter open and pull it out. From there, you can pick out any of the dirt, lint, and foreign objects trapped inside the filter.
• Lastly, give the filter a good wash in the sink before putting it back again.

Damaged Or Faulty Drain Pump

What it is: The drain pump sits at the bottom of your washer, and it helps to drive water out of the drum and out through the drain hose. This pump will turn on several times throughout a wash cycle and once more towards the end.

How it fails: In this case, the drain pump could be damaged internally, or a foreign object might be jammed inside. These problems will prevent the washer from draining water effectively, thereby triggering the 5E error code.

How to fix it: To fix this, you will need to access the drain pump. This task can be quite a challenging job to do as a DIY, but here’s what the process will look like:

• Firstly, the power and water supply to the washer must be removed.
• Next, the washer must be placed on its side to access the bottom panel that conceals the drain pump.
• Then, with the bottom panel removed, you’ll be able to access the drain pump. The unit can be removed by unplugging the electrical connectors and water hoses and unthreading the screws holding it in place.
• Now, with the drain pump removed, you can inspect it closer. Any foreign objects stuck inside can be removed easily. However, if the pump is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

How To Clear The SE or 5E Error Code

To clear the 5E error code on your Samsung washer, you must first resolve the root cause using the steps mentioned above. Unless that’s done, the 5E error code will persist.

Once that’s completed, you can then perform a reset on your Samsung washing machine using the steps described below.

How To Reset A Samsung Washer

Resetting your Samsung washer will clear all of its error codes, as well as resolve most other glitches that might be present. Here’s how you can do that:

• Firstly, disconnect the washer from its power supply completely. That means removing the plug from the wall socket or shutting off its dedicated circuit breaker at the main electrical box in your house.
• Next, the washer must be left alone for 1-5 minutes. During this time, the washer will get rid of any remaining electrical charge it might be holding.
• After that time has elapsed, the last step is to plug the washer back in or turn on its circuit breaker and then use it like normal.

Remember: Resetting your washer will clear the error codes, but those codes will return unless the root cause has been addressed.

How To Enter Diagnostic Mode

Entering the Diagnostic Mode on your Samsung washer is helpful to see how many error codes are active. To enter diagnostic mode, follow these steps:

• Firstly, turn the washer on. Then, press and hold the Delay Start and Soil Level buttons simultaneously.
• Keep holding both buttons until the display shows all zeros and the washer chimes.
• Press the Soil Level button once more until you see the letter D appear on display. That means you are now in Diagnostic Mode.
• Turn the dial to scroll through all of the active error codes (if any). Once you see the alphabet D again, that means you’ve reached the end.

If you do not see any error codes after following this process, that means your Samsung washing machine is free from any problems.

How To Test Samsung Washer After Fixing It

The most effective way to perform a thorough test of your Samsung washer after a repair is to run a complete wash cycle and see if any error codes appear. However, you can save time by choosing the shortest cycle available, such as the Rinse+Spin cycle available on Samsung washers.When testing your machine, pay extra attention to ensure that water drains out altogether at the end of the cycle without any issues.