On the covered Samsung washer platform, nd, 5E, SE, 5C, SC means no drain error: water is not draining from the washer at the correct speed, or at all. First, check that the drain hose is not kinked and is inserted properly.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung washer code nd, 5E, SE, 5C, SC”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged pump filter on a front-load model
What separates it Water stays in the drum and the pump filter has not been cleaned in months
How to confirm Samsung says clean the pump filter at least once a month or every 40 washes, whichever is more frequent
- 2
A drain hose installed at the wrong depth or height
What separates it The hose is under 6 or over 8 inches in the pipe, or outside 18 to 96 inches high
How to confirm Verify the hose is not inserted less than 6 or more than 8 inches, and sits at least 18 inches and no more than 96 inches high
- 3
A kinked or airtight drain hose
What separates it The hose is bent behind the washer or sealed tight around the standpipe
How to confirm Samsung says an airtight connection creates siphoning; the hose must run smoothly and not be kinked
- 4
A washer that is not level
What separates it The washer rocks when you push a corner, which points to a washer that is not level
How to confirm Samsung says that if the washer is not level it may not drain correctly
- 5
A removed drain hose holder screw
What separates it The screw at the back is missing and the washer drains on its own
How to confirm Samsung says removing it may cause the washer to drain automatically and give an LC or 4C code
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: nd, 5E, SE, 5C or SC
- How long since the pump filter was cleaned
- How far the drain hose is inserted into the standpipe
- Whether hot water was used recently
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck that the drain hose is not kinked and is inserted properly.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung lists this as the No drain error and points to its separate guide for the full steps. For a washer that is not filling or draining, its steps for the not-filling error say the drain hose should be inserted no less than 6 inches and no more than 8 inches into the drain pipe and must not be kinked, and the screw holding the drain hose to the back of the washer must stay in place.
Level the washer
ReversibleTurn the washer off and check that it is level, since an unlevel washer may not drain correctly.
Verify the drain hose
ReversibleCheck it is not inserted less than 6 or more than 8 inches, is secured so it cannot slip down, does not form an airtight connection, is not kinked, bent or damaged, is at least 18 inches high (24 inches for wash basins), no higher than 96 inches (35 inches for wash basins), and has no extension kit.
Clean the pump filter (front-load only)
ReversibleOpen the pump filter panel, put a towel and a container under the rubber drain hose, remove its cap and drain the water, twist the pump filter counter-clockwise out, brush it clean, check the impeller inside the housing, refit it and reattach the drain hose cap into its clip.
Restart
ReversibleTurn the washer back on and start a cycle; the washer should drain at the beginning of the test cycle.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- nd, 5E, SE, 5C, SC, 1 5C.
- Parts named
- Pump filter; drain pump impeller; drain hose holder.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Wait about an hour after a hot cycle such as Pure Cycle or Sanitize, since the water can be very hot
- !Unplug the washer before you touch the pump filter or drain hose
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The drain hose measurements and the monthly filter interval are Samsung's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does nd, 5E, SE, 5C, SC mean on a Samsung washer?+
No drain error: water is not draining from the washer at the correct speed, or at all.
How often should the pump filter be cleaned?+
At least once a month or every 40 washes, whichever is more frequent.
Do top-load washers have a pump filter?+
No; only front-load models have a removable one.
What is the correct drain hose height?+
At least 18 inches and no more than 96 inches, or 24 to 35 inches for a wash basin.