However, the sudden appearance of an SC or 5C check code on your Samsung washer shouldn’t raise any alarms as troubleshooting the code normally won’t cost you a dime, nor will it require any physical effort. But ignoring it or putting off addressing the problem may eventually snowball into more serious concerns for the machine.

While most of the time, a straightforward solution can resolve the issue, sometimes, SC code may uncover some serious problem, such as a damaged drain pump. In these instances, you’ll need to either replace or repair the affected parts. So Let’s discuss all the possible causes of your Samsung Washer’s SC code and find their solutions. 

What Does the Samsung Washing Machine Error Code “SC” Indicate?

Samsung washer displays an SC or 5C error code whenever it detects any draining-related issues. The majority of cases of Samsung washers displaying SC or 5C code are either for the clogged drain pump filter or kinked, blocked, or incorrectly installed drain hose. 

If the drain pump filter and drain hose are up and running, the drain pump is a potential cause of the problem. Sadly, a damaged drain pump can not be repaired and should replaced entirely.  

So the Samsung washer with SC or 5C error code warns that there are some issues in the draining system preventing efficient draining of drum water.  Along with that, the buttons get disabled for a couple of minutes after the error code is on read-out. 

So it is not recommended to use the washer with the SC or 5C error number because it indicates a drainage problem that must be solved.

Causes of Samsung Washer Displaying of SC Code

Clogged Drain Pump Filter

The drain pump filter is an important part of the washer’s drain pump system. The purpose of the entire drain pump system is to efficiently and effectively pump out all the wastewater from the drum without causing any obstruction. 

The drain pump filter helps in this process, filtering out all the debris, lint, and other tiny unexpected items from the wastewater so that, the pump can do its job without any problem. So you can say, the drain filter essentially improves the efficiency of the drain pump and protects it. 

As a drain pump regularly contains different types of foreign objects, it can be clogged or trapped by those objects. Normally, any washer’s drain pump filter needs to be cleared of these objects, and the Samsung washer is no exception. 

When the drain filter is full of items or gets clogged, this leads to a problem in the draining system. As a result, your washing machine may not spin properly, become noisy, and produce vibration. This ultimately forces the Samsung washing machine to display an SC code to draw your attention and prevent any further damage.  

Blocked Drain Hose

If the drain hose of your Samsung washer is blocked or clogged by debris and other buildups, the washer will not be able to drain the water properly. This can leave your clothes soaking wet at the end of the cycle. 

Also, the Samsung washer machine detects it as a mysterious draining problem and displays an SC or 5C error code. With the warning SC code, it’s left to you to uncover the real reason.

Likewise, if the drain hose is kinked for some reason, this leads to poor drainage of wastewater as the flow of water faces obstruction at the kink. This can also result in displaying an SC error message in your Samsung washer. 

Improperly Connected or Damaged Hose 

There are some guidelines about how a drain hose shall be connected. Breaching of these guidelines may result in drainage issues and the displaying of SC error codes. For example, Samsung recommends that the drain hose needs to be positioned at a minimum height of 60 cm if the hose is connected via a standpipe. 

Also, the drain hose can not exceed more than 150mm into the standpipe. The violation of these instructions can also cause difficulties in draining and potentially SC error code. 

Damaged Drain Pump

A malfunctioning drain pump can result in problems with draining water and activating the SC code. If the drain pump is not operating correctly, it might necessitate replacement. A damaged drain pump is mostly irreparable and hence requires total replacement.  

How to Troubleshoot or Resolve the Code SC or 5C in Samsung Washer?

Before troubleshooting the problem, you should figure out what is causing the issue. If you have come this far reading the article, you should know that the issues are mostly attributed to the drain pump system. 

So those causes stated above may help use your sixth sense to find the origin of the problem. If you are still confused or don’t have an idea, then we are going from the most common solution to a less conventional method of diagnosis. 

Cleaning the Drain Pump Filter

More often than not, cleaning the drain pump filter and getting rid of all the debris is the go-to fix. Here is how you do it step by step in your front-load Samsung washer. The method is identical in most of the front-load washing machines. 

Step 1: First off, unplug your Samsung washing machine from the power source to avoid any electrical accident.  

Step 2: Turn off the water supply to ensure no water is flowing into the Washing machine while you are cleaning the filter.

Step 3: There will be an access panel on the front of the Samsung washing machine. Locate it with the help of the manual.

Step 4: Place a towel on the floor in front of the washing machine and keep a water-catching bowl ready to catch any spill of water. 

Step 5: Now, you have to open the small access panel or door by firmly pressing on it.

Step 6:  When you open that small panel, you can see a small pipe emergency drain hose. Gently draw the drain hose out and remove the cap on that hose. Now extend it into the bowl to allow the water to flow. Let the water flow into the bowl until it stops flowing. 

Step 7: Reinstate the cap on the emergency drain hose and keep the hose back in place. 

Step 8: Near the emergency drain hose, you will clearly see another circular cap which is a drain filter. Turn the cap counterclockwise to remove it.  When you remove the cap, it will pour down some water. 

Step 9: Thoroughly clean the filter and remove every debris and item inside. Also, don’t forget to clean the alcove area of the filter with a damp cloth. 

Step 10: Reinstate the drain pump and ensure a snug fit by turning it clockwise. And then close the access panel as well. 

After cleaning the drain pump filter, hopefully, your washing machine should no longer display the SC or 5C check code if the clogged filter was the culprit.

Check Drain Hose

If the SC or 5C code still exists on the display of your Samsung washer, the drainage issues are not resolved yet. As you already checked the drain pump filter and thoroughly cleaned it, now it is time to inspect the drain hose. The drain hose is typically located at the back of the washing machine. Look for a hose that is connected to the machine and extends downwards.

First, ensure that both drain hose ends are correctly routed and securely installed. If any of them are not securely installed, it can lead to inefficient drainage and prolong the washing cycle. The washer ultimately stops and disrupts the washing cycle, resulting in an SC error code on the display. 

If the hose is secured with mounting clips, also inspect the condition of those clips. Tighten or replace the loose or damaged clips to prevent leaking of water during drainage.

Look for Blockages and Kinks

While checking the condition of the drain hose, inspecting the hose for any potential blockages or kinks takes priority. Although blockage and kinking are distinct terms, both eventually obstruct the smooth flow of water.  

If you find that any point of the hose is kinked, carefully straighten out this part of the hose.  Avoid using excessive force, as this could damage the hose. Moreover, ensure that the hose is positioned in the right way with a gentle downward slope from the washing machine to the drainage point. This will reduce the potential risk of future kinks. 

Inspecting and Clearing the Blockage of Drain Hose

If the hose is positioned correctly and there are no kinks, then you should check for the clog inside the drain hose. Here is how to inspect and clear the clog. 

Inspect the drain hose 

First, disconnect the drain hose and check the drain hose visually for any visible blockages or kinks. Look for lint, debris, or any foreign objects that may be obstructing the flow of water.

Remove Blockages 

If you find any blockages of objects inside, you can try removing them with a hands-on approach. Use a drain snake or coat hanger to unblock the drain hose manually. After continuous pushing, wiggling, and turning, the snake will surely reach the end of the length. 

Be cautious not to damage the hose while doing this. Then retrieve the snake and flush warm water into the hose to clear out any remaining debris. And always wear gloves when snaking out the blockage. 

Alternative Unclogging Method

If you don’t have a drain snake at your disposal, you can get a pipe brush to do the job. This long flexible brush is more commonly used to dislodge any residue or debris inside the drain hose. 

You can also clear the blockage with a drain cleaner if you don’t have the necessary tools to do it manually. Using drain cleaner can also be more effortless. However, you need to make sure the Samsung washer model you have recommends pouring drain cleaner into the hose or if any special chemical is recommended or not. 

Spigot Clearance

If your washing machine is connected to a spigot, take a moment to ensure that it remains clear and unobstructed. Plus, if your Samsung washing machine is new, ensure the blanking cap has been removed or cut off. 

Another important thing to look for is if it is inserted into the spigot and secured with a clamp properly. 

Standpipe Connection

If the drain is connected via a standpipe, it has to maintain a minimum height and depth into the standpipe. According to Samsung, the minimum height of the drain hose should be 60cm above the floor. Maintaining this height is important because it helps prevent water from flowing back into the machine or causing blockages in the drainage system.

Furthermore, the maximum extension of the drain hose into the standpipe is 150mm. Neglecting these guidelines can lead the washer to potential drainage issues. 

So when you experience or notice SC or 5C code, examine every section of the drain hose based on the information given here because the drain hose is a key part of the draining system, which is likely responsible for any draining issues. 

Once you have successfully dealt with the issues that are affecting the efficient performance of your Samsung washer draining system, the SC or 5C error code should be gone. If all these methods fail to solve the problem, we suggest contacting Samsung washer customer support. 

Which Samsung Models Conform to this Guide?

The below Samsung Models Conform to this guide: 

• WF445AAPX 
• WF45K6500AW 
• WF50A6600AW 
• WF50A8600AV 
• WF50R6500AW
• WF60B6500AW
• WF60R6500AW 
• WF70B6500AW 
• WF70R6500AW 
• WF80B6500AW 
• WF80R6500AW 
• WF90A6600AW 
• WF90R6500AW 
• WF10A6600AW 
• WF10R6500AW 

Conclusion

In the end, we have some suggestions on how to address the issue. You can start with simpler methods, such as resetting the Samsung washing machine and inspecting the condition of the drain hose. If the SC check code still appears on the display, then consider moving on to more complex troubleshooting. This involves opening the access panel and checking for any damage.

It’s worth noting that different washing machines may display different error codes for similar issues, such as Whirlpool’s E1/F9 Error and Maytag’s F09 E01 Error Code.

While accessing the drain pump system is relatively straightforward in Samsung washing machines, other brands, such as Maytag, may have more complex procedures for opening and gaining access to the drain filter and pump.