If detergent is left in the drawer of your Samsung WF50BG8300 after a cycle, the manual gives three fixes in order: put liquid detergent into the liquid detergent container, take that container out if you use powder, and clean the drawer. The drawer has three compartments, main wash at the front left, softener at the front right and bleach at the rear right, and each has a max line that Samsung says not to exceed. Tablets, capsules and ball-type detergents do not belong in the drawer at all.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung front-load or top-load washer does not dispense detergent”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Powdered detergent in the liquid detergent container, or the container missing
What separates it Wet powder clumps in the front left compartment after the cycle
How to confirm For powder, take out the liquid container first; for liquid, make sure the container is inserted in the main wash compartment
- 2
Low water pressure that does not flush the drawer
What separates it Detergent stays in the drawer even though it is the right type and amount
How to confirm Check the water pressure: this washer needs 20 to 116 psi (137 to 800 kPa)
- 3
A dirty drawer or recess with hardened detergent
What separates it White or sticky buildup in the drawer and in the recess behind it
How to confirm Remove the drawer with the release lever and look at the drawer and the recess
- 4
Concentrated softener or detergent that was not diluted
What separates it Thick undiluted gel blocks the softener compartment and stays there after the cycle
How to confirm Samsung says concentrated agents must be diluted with water before being added to prevent the compartment clogging
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which compartment holds the leftover and whether it is liquid, powder or gel
- Whether the liquid detergent container is in the drawer and which detergent type you use
- How full the compartments were relative to the max lines
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck the detergent and the container
ReversibleAdd liquid detergent to the liquid detergent container in the main wash compartment, and remove that container if you use powder, as Samsung's checkpoints direct. Do not add powder to the liquid container.
Check the max lines
ReversibleKeep the main wash and softener compartments under their max lines and the bleach compartment under its own. Dilute concentrated softener or detergent with water first.
Remove and clean the drawer
ReversibleOpen the drawer, hold down the release lever (A), pull it out, lift out the liquid detergent container and rinse each part under running water with a soft brush. Clean the empty recess with a soft brush and do not spray water into it.
Put it back and flush
ReversibleRefit the container, slide the drawer in until it closes and run Rinse+Spin with an empty drum to remove leftover detergent, as the manual suggests.
Confirm the water pressure
ReversibleIf detergent still stays behind, check that the washer is getting sufficient water pressure and that both mesh filters are clean.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Three-compartment drawer
- Front left: main wash (with the removable liquid container); front right: fabric softener; rear right: liquid chlorine bleach. Each has a max line.
- Powder use
- Remove the liquid detergent container first, then add powder to the main wash compartment; do not put powder in the liquid container.
- Tools and supplies
- A soft brush, running water, a towel and a dry cloth for the drawer recess; the drawer's release lever needs no tools.
- Parts for this problem on the WF50A8600 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- assembly housing drawer, part number DC97-21472P, at $205.38; cold water inlet valve, part number DC62-30312J, at $128.99.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WF53BB8700, WF50A8600, WF42H5000, WF45K6500, WV60M9900, WV55M9600, WA55A7300, WA54R7200, WA52A5500, WA50R5200, WA50T5300, WA45T3200, WA40A3005, WF45B6300, WF45T6000, WF45R6100.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the drawer will not slide out, do not force it against the release lever; unplug the washer and call service
- !If water drips from the drawer recess into the cabinet, stop and unplug the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is detergent left in the WF50BG8300 drawer?+
Samsung's manual lists using liquid detergent in the liquid container (or removing it for powder), cleaning the drawer and confirming water pressure.
Where does each product go?+
Main-wash detergent in the front left, fabric softener in the front right and liquid chlorine bleach in the rear right.
Can I use tablets or capsules in the drawer?+
No. Put them directly into the drum. Ball-type detergent should not be used.
Can I use powdered fabric softener?+
Samsung does not recommend it; use liquid softener only.
Can I add extra detergent during the cycle?+
The manual says you cannot if the remaining amount of detergent and fabric softener is over the limit.
How do I remove the drawer?+
Open it, hold down the release lever (A) and pull. The other parts of the drawer can also be removed.
How do I remove old detergent?+
Run a Rinse+Spin cycle with the drum empty.
Where do oxygen boosters and color-safe bleach go?+
Add them to the drum after putting the laundry in, not in the drawer; with powdered detergent it is more effective to put both into the drum before loading the laundry.
Can undiluted chlorine bleach go into the drum?+
No. Samsung warns not to add undiluted liquid chlorine bleach directly to the load or the drum, because it can weaken fibers and cause color loss. The only exception is the SELF CLEAN cycle.
Do I have to remove the liquid container for powder?+
Yes. Remove the provided liquid detergent container from the main wash compartment, add powder to the main wash compartment and never add powder to the liquid container.
Why does the drawer get clogged?+
Concentrated softener or detergent that is not diluted with water can clog the compartment; dilute it before adding, as Samsung instructs.
Is it safe to hose out the recess?+
No. Do not spray water into the detergent drawer recess; it may cause electric shock or fire. Clean it with a soft brush and unplug the washer if needed.