Quick answer
The most common reason a Samsung washer won’t drain is a pump filter clogged with lint, coins or small objects. Next come kinked drain hoses, then a failed drain pump. Start by safely cleaning the filter; if water remains, the pump needs electrical testing.
Overview
At the end of every wash and rinse stage, the washer runs its drain pump to remove water. If the level doesn’t drop within a set time, the cycle stops and an error appears (5E or 5C on most models, nd on some older top-loaders).
Not draining doesn’t always mean a dead pump. A large share of cases are simple blockages you can deal with safely — but it matters to know when to stop and call a technician so a small fault doesn’t become a bigger one.
Likely causes
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1
Clogged drain pump filter
The filter catches lint, hair, coins, hairpins and buttons. Over time enough builds up to slow or stop draining, often with a bad smell.
Related parts: Pump filter
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2
Kinked or blocked drain hose
Pushing the washer against the wall can bend the hose; residue can build up inside, or its end can block in the drain. A blocked sink or floor drain gives the same result.
Related parts: Drain hose
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3
Failed drain pump
If the filter is clean and the hose fine but you can’t hear the pump — or hear it without water moving — the impeller may be jammed or the coil may have failed.
Related parts: Drain pump
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4
Excess suds
Too much or the wrong detergent fills the drum with foam, slowing drainage; Sud may appear before 5E.
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5
Level sensor or control board problem
Sometimes the pump is fine but the board doesn’t command it, or the level sensor wrongly reports that water hasn’t dropped. This needs measurement by a technician.
Related parts: Water-level (pressure) sensorMain control board (PCB)
Safe checks before calling a technician
Unplug the washer and close the water tap before any check. Do not open the back or top panels, and do not touch wiring or circuit boards — that work is for a qualified technician.
- Stop the washer, unplug it, and let the water cool if a hot programme was running.
- Open the small cover at the bottom front (pump filter) and place a flat tray and towel underneath.
- If there is a small emergency drain tube, drain the water in stages, then slowly unscrew the filter anticlockwise.
- Clear lint and objects from the filter, rinse it, check the opening behind it is clear, then refit it firmly.
- Check the drain hose behind the washer isn’t kinked and the drain it empties into isn’t backing up.
- Plug back in and run an empty “Rinse + Spin” to see whether draining is back to normal.
Parts involved
Pump filter
A filter in front of the pump that catches lint, coins and small objects; usually opened from a small cover at the bottom front.
Drain pump
A small motor that pulls water out of the tub and pushes it into the drain hose at the end of each stage.
Drain hose
Carries water from the pump to the drain; its routing and height affect draining and leaks.
Water-level (pressure) sensor
Measures air pressure in a tube connected to the tub to know how much water is inside.
Main control board (PCB)
The washer’s brain: reads sensors and drives the motor, pump, valves and heater.
When should you call a technician?
- The filter is clean, the hose is fine, and water is still in the drum.
- You hear nothing from the pump when it should drain, or only a hum with no water flow.
- The filter is stuck and won’t open, or broke while opening.
- The problem repeats every wash, or comes with other codes such as 3E or AE.
Need a Samsung repair technician?
Send us the model, the error code and a description of the fault — or book a technician visit in Amman, Zarqa, Salt, Madaba or Sahab.
Related error codes
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean the washer pump filter?
Every one to three months depending on use, and immediately if draining slows or it smells. Homes with children or pets need it more often.
Can a washer drain slowly without showing 5E?
Yes. At first draining just takes longer and cycles stretch; the code only appears once the time limit is exceeded.
Is replacing a drain pump expensive?
Cost depends on the model and part, but the pump is a common part. What matters is confirming by diagnosis that the pump — not a blockage or the board — is the cause.