Samsung washer code 5C means the water is not draining fast enough; it does not prove that the filter or pump has failed. Switch the washer off, inspect the drain hose and clear the accessible pump filter after draining the water safely. Test drainage again before ordering a pump.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung front-load or top-load washer will not drain or stops with water inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged drain filter behind the lower filter cover
What separates it The display shows 5C, or the washer fills, washes and then stops without draining
How to confirm Open the filter cover after unplugging the washer and look for lint, coins or hair clips in the filter
- 2
A drain hose that is kinked, frozen or blocked before it reaches the household drain
What separates it The washer runs but water backs up in the drum and the 5C filter is clean
How to confirm Pull the washer forward and follow the hose from the back panel to the standpipe looking for a bend or ice
- 3
A drain hose pushed in too far or too little
What separates it Water siphons back or the hose slips out of the standpipe during the drain
How to confirm Check that the hose end sits 6 to 8 inches inside the drain pipe, as Samsung specifies
- 4
Low supply power that makes the washer pause draining and spinning
What separates it Draining stops for a while and resumes on its own with no code
How to confirm Look for other loads on the circuit; the WF50BG8300 needs its own 120 V, 15 amp branch circuit and no extension cord
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the display shows 5C, LC or another information code and what the door lock light is doing
- How long it has been since the drain filter was opened and what came out of it
- Whether the drain hose end sits 6 to 8 inches inside the standpipe and is free of kinks
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRead the code and unplug the washer
ReversibleA 5C on the display of the WF50BG8300 is Samsung's code for a clogged drain filter. Turn the washer off, unplug the cord and leave the water taps alone; nothing else in this fix needs the supply on.
Empty the drum through the emergency drain tube
ReversiblePress the top of the filter cover to open it, set a wide container next to the cover, stretch out the emergency drain tube while holding its cap and let the water run out. Close the cap and push the tube back in when the flow stops.
Clean the drain filter and check the pump impeller
ReversibleTurn the filter knob counterclockwise, drain what is left, brush the filter clean and look through the opening for debris on the pump impeller. Some filters have a safety knob: push it in while you turn it counterclockwise.
Refit the filter firmly and close the cover
ReversibleTurn the knob clockwise until it stops and check that the filter sits fully in place. Samsung warns that a filter knob that is not fully closed causes a leak and one that is not fully seated causes an operating failure.
Check the hose, restart and watch a drain
ReversibleConfirm the hose end is 6 to 8 inches into the drain pipe, plug the washer in and run Drain/Spin. If 5C comes back, power it off for 2 to 3 minutes and try once more before calling service.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Where the filter is
- Behind the small filter cover at the lower front; the emergency drain tube and the drain filter knob are on the same side.
- Tools and supplies
- A wide, shallow container, towels, a soft brush and a flashlight; pliers are only needed if a hose clamp is stuck.
- 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.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WF53BB8700, 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 water backs up out of the household standpipe instead of leaving the drum, that is a house drain problem and running the washer will flood the laundry room
- !If the filter and hose are clear and 5C returns after a power-off wait of 2 to 3 minutes, stop and call Samsung service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
5C, nd, 5E, SE and SC are no-drain codes; 4C and 4E concern filling.
The OEM part numbers and prices for the folded model.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 5C mean on a Samsung WF50BG8300?+
Samsung's manual describes 5C as a problem with the drain system, and tells you to make sure the drain filter is not clogged, then clean it and restart.
How often should the WF50BG8300 drain filter be cleaned?+
Samsung says 5 or 6 times a year. A different Samsung model may say every two months, so follow the manual for this model.
Can low power stop the washer draining?+
Yes. Samsung notes that if the washer is not supplied with enough power it will temporarily stop draining and spinning and will carry on once power returns to normal.
The door will not open because water is in the drum. What do I do?+
Drain the drum with the emergency drain tube first. Samsung says the door may not open while water remains and that you can drain the drum and open the door by hand.
Do I need to be careful of anything in the filter?+
Yes. Coins, clips and buttons end up there, and the manual tells you to check that the impeller inside the drain pump is free of debris while the filter is out.
Is the drain pump covered by the warranty?+
Samsung's U.S. warranty for this washer is 1 year of parts and labor, with the stainless tub covered for 3 years and the Digital Inverter motor for 10, both parts only. The manual lists cleaning the drain filter as an owner maintenance task.
When do I stop and call Samsung?+
If the filter, hose and household drain are clear and the code returns after switching the washer off for 2 to 3 minutes and back on.
What is the emergency drain tube for?+
In a power failure or a blocked drain it lets you empty the drum before you take the laundry out. It sits behind the filter cover at the lower front and needs a container with room for more water than you expect.
Why should I unplug the washer before opening the filter?+
The manual's drain filter and emergency drain steps both start with turning the washer off and unplugging the power cord, because water and the pump are near the opening.
What is the drain filter safety knob?+
Some drain filters have a knob designed to stop children opening the filter compartment: push it in and turn it counterclockwise, and turn it clockwise to close. The spring may rattle, which is normal.
Does 5C always mean a clogged filter?+
Samsung's manual says a clogged filter shows 5C and to clean the filter and restart. If the filter is clean and 5C returns, power the washer off for 2 to 3 minutes and try again.
Can a frozen drain hose stop the washer draining?+
Yes. The checkpoints say to make sure the drain hose is not frozen or clogged; below 32 F (0 C) the washer and hoses can freeze.