Samsung washer code SE: what it means and how to fix it
Your Samsung washer may stop mid-cycle, beep, show SE or 5E, then leave water in the drum. This page explains the safe checks to do first, plus what a technician tests if the washer still won't drain.
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Samsung washer code SE means the washer is not draining at the right speed, or it is not draining at all. The most common cause is a clogged pump filter behind the small lower front access door.
Check these first
Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.
- Power reset the washer
Press Power if the controls respond, then unplug the washer for 5 to 10 minutes. Plug it back in and run Drain/Spin with no clothes inside. A reset can clear a stuck cycle, but it won't fix a real drain blockage.
- Drain the water from the small front hose
Unplug the washer first. Open the lower front pump access door, place towels and a shallow pan under it, then use the small emergency drain hose to empty the tub. Expect a slow stream, then check that the little hose cap is tight when you're done.
- Clean the pump filter
After the emergency hose is drained, twist out the large filter cap and clean lint, coins, hair, socks, or plastic pieces from the filter. This check resolves many SE and 5E calls, with one source describing it as fixing four out of five cases. Reach into the filter pocket only gently, since sharp debris can hide there.
- Check the red pump impeller by feel
With the filter out and the washer unplugged, feel for the small red impeller inside the pump area. It should turn with little magnetic clicks, often about each quarter turn. If it wobbles, grinds, or won't move, stop there and have the pump checked.
- Look at the drain hose behind the washer
Make sure the hose is not crushed or kinked. The end should sit 6 to 8 inches into the standpipe, and the standpipe opening should be at least 23 inches from the floor. A hose shoved too far down the pipe can make a good pump look bad.
- Try one empty Drain/Spin cycle
Close the filter door, plug the washer in, then run Drain/Spin. Listen for the pump. A faint hum with no water movement usually means a jammed or weak pump after the filter and hose have been ruled out.
Conditions that make this more likely
The house drain can be the real problem
Older homes often have narrow or partly blocked standpipes and drain lines. If the machine's own filter and hose are clear, the house drain is the next suspect, and that's a plumbing call rather than an appliance call.
Boards fail earlier in hot rooms
Electronics are rated for room temperature. In a garage or an unconditioned laundry room in summer, a control board can sit well above that for hours a day. Before replacing a board, a good technician confirms the parts it controls test good, since a shorted pump or valve can take out a new board too.
What a technician tests
Most likely part first. These are for a technician with a meter and the tech sheet, not a weekend project.
Don't see your symptom?
Describe it on the phone. The company on the other end works on these every day and will know what to ask.
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Is SE the same as 5E on a Samsung washer?
Yes. On Samsung washers, SE and 5E are used for the same basic no-drain condition. You may also see nd, 5C, SC, or 1 5C on some models.
Will unplugging the washer clear the SE code?
It may clear a stuck display or paused cycle. If the tub still has water, the code will usually return until the filter, hose, pump, or water level sensing issue is fixed.
Why is the door locked after the SE code?
Many washers keep the door locked while water is in the tub. Drain the washer through the small emergency hose behind the lower front door, then try Power or Drain/Spin again. Do not force the door.
Does this happen more on front load or top load Samsung washers?
The easy filter cleanout described here applies to many front load Samsung washers with a small lower front access door. Some top load models do not have the same front filter layout, so the drain pump and hose checks may need a technician.
What if the pump filter is clean but SE comes back?
Next suspects are a kinked or mis-set drain hose, a weak drain pump, or a blocked pressure switch hose. A technician can test the pump circuit and water level sensing system without guessing at parts.
Still showing the problem after the checks?
Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.