A Samsung WF50A8600 that leaves water in the drum or stops with a drain code has a restriction between the drum and the house drain. This 5.0 cubic foot Steam front-loader keeps its door locked while there is water in the tub, so a drain problem leaves you with a locked door and wet clothes. Samsung shows a drain error code, such as 5C or 5E on many models, when the pump cannot clear the water within its time limit,
The checks in more detail
and the code points straight at the drain path: the filter, the hose, the standpipe and the pump. Start with the filter. Unplug the washer. Put a shallow dish and towels under the small panel at the lower front, open it and look for the small drain hose and the filter cap; pull the drain hose plug to let water run into the dish a little at a time, then unscrew the filter slowly.
Clear coins, lint, hair and small clothing from the filter and look into the chamber for anything caught round the pump impeller; the impeller should turn freely. Refit the filter firmly, because a loose cap leaks. Replace the panel. Then the hose and standpipe. Pull the washer forward and check the drain hose for kinks, a crushed section or a bend that is lower than the standpipe; the hose should loop high before dropping into the pipe. Check that the standpipe is not blocked by running water into it.
Also look at detergent: too much high-efficiency detergent produces suds that slow draining and can trigger a suds routine, so run a rinse if the drum is foamy. After the water is out, restart a drain and spin to test. If the filter, hose and standpipe are clear and the code returns, or the pump hums without moving water, the pump or its wiring is the likely fault and a technician should check it. Quote WF50A8600AE and the serial number.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung WF50A8600 front-load washer will not drain or stops with water inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged drain filter
What separates it Water stays in the drum and the door is locked
How to confirm Clean the filter
- 2
A kinked or low drain hose
What separates it Water drains slowly or siphons
How to confirm Straighten and raise the hose
- 3
A blocked standpipe
What separates it Water backs up
How to confirm Clear the household drain
- 4
A jammed pump impeller
What separates it The pump hums but moves no water
How to confirm Check the chamber
- 5
A failed drain pump
What separates it The pump is silent and the code returns
How to confirm Technician diagnosis
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The drain code shown
- Whether water is visible through the glass
- What was in the load
- Whether the filter has been cleaned
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedUnplug the washer
ReversibleBefore opening the panel.
Catch the water
ReversibleDish and towels.
Clean the filter
ReversibleCoins, lint and hair.
Check the hose
ReversibleKinks and height.
Test the standpipe
ReversibleRun water through it.
Book service
ReversibleIf the code returns.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The door lock
- The washer locks the door while water is present.
- The filter
- It protects the pump from coins and lint.
- Hose height
- A high loop prevents siphoning.
- Suds
- Foam slows draining; check the detergent.
- Safety
- Unplug first and keep hands out of the chamber.
- Samsung help
- Quote WF50A8600AE and the serial number.
- Parts for this problem on the WF50A8600 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- assy pump drain, part number DC97-20621C, at $250.31; filter assembly, part number DC97-23184A, at $21.89; add to cart drain hose genuine oem part # dc67-0, part number DC67-00307A, at $6.50; drain cap, part number DC61-10673A, at $5.49.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug before opening the lower panel
- !Never open the door against standing water
- !Call Samsung if the code returns after the filter and hose are clear
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does a drain code mean?+
The pump could not clear the water in time.
Why is the door locked?+
Water in the drum keeps it locked.
Can I drain it by hand?+
Yes, through the filter, slowly.
Is it the pump?+
Only after the filter and hose are clear.
Could suds cause it?+
Yes, foam slows the drain.
How often do I clean the filter?+
Every few months.