On the covered Samsung washer platform, LE, LC, LC1, 1E, 1C means water level or leakage error: moisture is detected somewhere it does not belong, or there is a problem with the sensor itself. First, look for evidence of a leak, because leaks can be so small they go unnoticed.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung washer code LE, LC, LC1, 1E, 1C”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A leak from a hose, connection or o-ring
What separates it Water drips under the washer, or from a hose connection
How to confirm Inspect every hose and both ends for damaged rubber and worn o-rings, which Samsung says should be replaced
- 2
Debris or damage on the door seal of a front-load
What separates it Something small caught in the seal, such as a single strand of hair
How to confirm Fold the door seal back and look for foreign materials or damage
- 3
Suds from too much or non-HE detergent
What separates it Suds appear in an empty cycle, which points to suds from too much or non-HE detergent
How to confirm Run empty cycles until no suds appear, then check whether the code returns
- 4
A drain hose installed wrongly
What separates it The hose slips or siphons, which points to a drain hose installed wrongly
How to confirm It must sit 6 to 8 inches in the pipe with the holder screw in place
- 5
A sensor problem with no leak or suds
What separates it Nothing wet anywhere, no suds, the code stays, which points to a sensor problem with no leak or suds
How to confirm Samsung says to request service, and write down the result before moving to the next check
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: LE, LC, LC1, 1E or 1C
- Note where any water appears before you start troubleshooting
- Whether the code appears with the door open
- Whether an empty cycle makes suds
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleLook for evidence of a leak, because leaks can be so small they go unnoticed.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung's steps: fixing a leak you find fixes the error; check that the supply hoses and the drain hose behind the washer are not kinked, and do not remove the screw on the back that holds the drain hose against the washer (if it was removed, put it and its holder back with any screw that fits, and if the holder is missing service is required). Then run an empty cycle with no additives and see whether suds appear: suds mean too much detergent or a non-HE detergent was used, so keep running empty cycles until there are no suds and check whether the code returns. If no suds appear but the code continues, Samsung says to request service.
Look for evidence of a leak
ReversibleSamsung notes leaks can be so small they go unnoticed; fixing the leak fixes the error. On front-loaders a little dripping from the door once it is opened is normal.
Inspect hoses and seal
ReversibleCheck every hose and both ends, the o-rings inside the hose ends and the door seal folded back, and replace damaged hoses and o-rings.
Check kinks and the drain hose
ReversibleConfirm the supply hoses and drain hose behind the washer are not kinked, and confirm the drain hose holder screw is in place.
Run an empty cycle
ReversibleRun an empty cycle with no detergent or other additives; if suds appear, keep running empty cycles until they stop, then see if the code returns.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- LE, LC, LC1, 1 LC, plus 1E, 1C, 1 1C.
- Parts named
- Hoses; o-rings; door seal; drain hose holder.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Turn off the water supply and unplug the washer if water is pooling on the floor
- !Do not remove the screw that holds the drain hose against the back of the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Samsung groups 1E, 1C, LE, LC and LC1 as one condition, so this page carries all of them.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does LE, LC, LC1, 1E, 1C mean on a Samsung washer?+
Water level or leakage error: moisture is detected somewhere it does not belong, or there is a problem with the sensor itself.
Is a little water at the door a leak?+
Not on a front-loader after the door has been opened; it is only a leak if it drips while the door is closed.