Samsung Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
A Samsung dishwasher that won't drain (shown as a Drain Error, "5E," with the Delicate LED lit) most often has a clogged drain hose or a loose drain pump connector — the service diagnostic works through hose, sensor, pump, and relay in a specific order before pointing to the main board.
What Causes a Samsung Dishwasher Not to Drain
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign material clogging the drain hose | Most common | Easy — clear the hose | Drain hose |
| Low Level Sensor not detecting correctly | Common | Moderate — see low-level water error | Low Level Sensor |
| Drain pump connector loose | Common | Easy — reconnect | Connector |
| Drain pump coil not conductive (failed pump) | Less common | Moderate — multimeter | Drain pump |
| Drain pump relay not switching power | Rare | Moderate — voltage test | Main PBA |
| Power relay fault | Rare | Pro repair | Main PBA |
How to Fix a Samsung Dishwasher That Won't Drain, Step by Step
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Check the drain hose for foreign material
This is the documented first check — clear any debris found and remove the blockage.
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Check the Low Level Sensor
The service documentation ties drain detection to the same sensor used for the low-level water error — if the sensor itself isn't reading correctly, the drain can appear to fail even when the pump is fine.
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Check the drain pump connector
Reconnect it if it's loose — a disconnected connector stops the pump from ever receiving power.
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Test the drain pump coil
With the connector removed, the coil should read approximately 25 Ω. A reading far outside that means the pump has failed and needs replacing.
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Check the drain pump relay
Measure the operating voltage between the white wire on the Main PBA's CN101 connector and the amber wire on the CN201 connector — it should read 120V while operating. If that's normal but the pump still doesn't run, replace the drain pump; if the voltage itself is faulty, the Main PBA assembly needs replacing.
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Check the power relay
If everything above tests normal, a power relay fault is the last documented step before treating this as a control-board-level repair — best left to a technician.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the Samsung DMT300/400/800 series dishwasher training manual and the DMT800 service manual. On this platform, Drain Error displays as 5E with the Delicate LED lit; the drain pump runs until the low level is detected, and if that doesn't happen within 60 seconds, the error triggers.
See also: Samsung dishwasher LC, Dishwasher not draining (cross-brand).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "5E" mean on a Samsung dishwasher?
It's the Drain Error code — the machine couldn't confirm the tub drained within the expected time (60 seconds after the pump starts, per the low-level sensor).
Is 5E the same LED as other Samsung dishwasher errors?
No — Drain Error specifically lights the Delicate LED, which helps distinguish it from other fault indicators on the same platform at a glance.
What resistance should the drain pump coil read?
Approximately 25 ohms, measured with the connector removed and the dishwasher unplugged. A reading far outside that range means the pump itself needs replacing.
When does a drain error point to the main board instead of the pump?
If the pump coil tests normal (~25 Ω) but the relay voltage between CN101 and CN201 isn't reading 120V while operating, that points to the Main PBA rather than the pump.
Based on the Samsung training and service documentation for the DMT300/400/800 dishwasher series. Last updated: .