Samsung Washer SC Error Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
"SC" on a Samsung washer display is the same code as 5C — a drain error. Samsung's own support documentation lists 5C and SC (and, on some models, 5E/SE) together as the same no-drain fault: the digit "5" and letter "S" render almost identically on a Samsung washer's digital display, so the same code gets read — and searched for — two different ways. There's no separate "SC" fault to diagnose; the repair is the 5C drain check.
What Causes the SC Code
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign material clogging the drain pump or hose | Most common | Easy — remove debris | Drain pump / drain hose |
| Frozen water in the pump (winter) | Occasional | Easy — thaw before use | — |
| Incorrect wire connections or broken wires to the pump | Less common | Moderate — check connector | Wiring harness |
| Drain pump impeller damaged internally | Less common | Moderate — multimeter | Drain pump assembly |
How to Fix the SC Error, Step by Step
-
Treat this as the 5C drain error
Check the drain pump and drain hose for clogs (coins, hairpins, cotton, lint) first — per the service documentation this is the most common cause of a no-drain code on this platform.
-
Power-cycle the washer
Unplug it (or flip the breaker) for about a minute, then restore power and start a cycle — this clears a code that was triggered by a one-off sensing glitch rather than an actual blockage.
-
If the code returns, work through the full drain-pump diagnostic
Wiring connections, a frozen-pump check in winter, and the drain pump resistance test (13.5–16.5 Ω) — covered in full on the dedicated 5C page, since the repair procedure is identical.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the Samsung top-load series WA48H7400AW, WA48J7700AW, WA48J7770AP, WA48J7770AW. Samsung's own US support page for washing-machine error codes lists 5E, SE, 5C, SC together under the same no-drain entry — confirming SC and 5C (and SE/5E on some models) are display variants of one fault, not separate codes.
Full repair procedure: 5C error code page. Full list: all Samsung washer error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "SC" a different error from "5C" on my Samsung washer?
No — they're the same drain-error code. Samsung's support documentation groups 5C and SC together; the difference is just how the digit "5" renders on the display.
Why do some people call it "SE" or "5E" instead?
Samsung's own error-code reference lists 5E/SE alongside 5C/SC — the same font-rendering mix-up happens with the "5"/"S" pair regardless of the second letter.
What should I check first if my washer shows SC?
Start with the drain pump and hose for clogs, then power-cycle the washer — that clears the majority of no-drain codes without opening anything up.
How do I clear the SC code after fixing the cause?
Same as 5C: power the washer off, confirm the drain path is clear, and restart the cycle. The code clears once the washer successfully drains.
Based on the Samsung service documentation for the WA48J7700AW washer series, cross-referenced with Samsung's US support page on washing-machine error codes. Last updated: .