Samsung Washer LC Error Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
The LC (or LC1) code on a Samsung washer means Water Leakage Check — the machine detected a possible water leak. Per the service documentation, this most often traces back to foreign material caught in the draining bellows rather than an actual structural leak.
What Causes the LC Code
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign substance (coins, underwear wire, etc.) in the draining bellows | Most common | Easy — remove debris | Draining bellows |
| Heater engagement fault (heater out of place) | Common | Moderate — check heater seating | Washing heater |
| Water leaking from the tub connection part | Less common | Moderate — inspect connection | Tub connection |
| Defective drain motor | Less common | Moderate — replace motor | Drain motor |
| Internal hose or part assembly defect | Rare | Pro repair | Internal hose / assembly |
How to Fix the LC Error, Step by Step
-
Check the draining bellows for foreign substances
Per Samsung's documentation, items like coins or underwear wire commonly get caught here and trigger a false leak detection — remove anything found for natural draining to resume.
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Check that the washing heater is properly seated
An out-of-place heater is a documented cause of LC — confirm it's engaged correctly.
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Check the tub connection part for an actual leak
If debris and heater seating both check out, inspect where the tub connects for genuine water leakage.
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If the drain motor is defective, replace it
This is the next documented step once the simpler mechanical causes are ruled out.
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If none of the above applies, the issue may be an internal hose or part assembly defect
This is a job for a technician.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the Samsung top-load series WA48H7400AW, WA48J7700AW, WA48J7770AP/AW. LC is specifically a leak-detection code, distinct from drain-flow codes like 5C/SC (which mean the machine can't pump water out, not that a leak was detected).
See also: Samsung washer 5C. Full list: all Samsung washer error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does LC mean on a Samsung washer?
Water Leakage Check — the machine detected a possible leak, most often traced to debris in the draining bellows rather than a real structural problem.
Is LC the same as a drain error (5C/SC)?
No — LC is about detecting a leak, while 5C/SC means the washer can't pump water out. They're checked through separate diagnostic paths even though both involve water.
Could something as simple as a coin really trigger LC?
Yes — foreign objects like coins or underwear wire caught in the draining bellows are explicitly documented as the most common cause.
Is it safe to keep using the washer with an LC code?
Check for debris and heater seating issues first since those are the simple, common causes; if the code persists after that, avoid running further loads until you've ruled out an actual leak at the tub connection.
Based on the Samsung service documentation for the WA48J7700AW washer series. Last updated: .