Food particles, grease, and debris accumulate in the drain filter at the bottom of the dishwasher. This is the #1 cause of the SE error and the easiest to fix. Samsung recommends cleaning the filter after every wash cycle, but most homeowners forget.
The drain hose connects your dishwasher to the garbage disposal or sink drain. If it's kinked, pinched by the dishwasher being pushed too far back, or clogged with debris, water can't flow out. This is especially common after kitchen remodels or when the dishwasher has been moved.
The drain pump pushes water out of the dishwasher. If the pump motor has failed or the impeller is damaged, water won't drain. You may hear a humming sound (pump trying to run) or complete silence (pump motor dead). Drain pump failure typically occurs after 5-8 years of use.
If your dishwasher was recently installed and drains into a new garbage disposal, the knockout plug inside the disposal may not have been removed. This plastic plug blocks the dishwasher drain port and must be knocked out during installation.
Sometimes the SE error is triggered by a temporary electronic glitch rather than an actual drainage problem. A simple power reset can clear false error codes caused by power surges or software bugs.
Turn off the dishwasher, unplug it (or flip the circuit breaker), wait 5 minutes, then restore power. Run a short cycle. If the error was a glitch, this will clear it. This works about 20% of the time.
Open the dishwasher, remove the bottom rack, and locate the cylindrical filter at the bottom center. Twist it counterclockwise to remove. Rinse under running water, using a soft brush to remove stuck debris. Reinstall and run a test cycle.
Pull the dishwasher out carefully (turn off water supply first). Inspect the drain hose for kinks or visible blockages. Disconnect the hose from the disposal/drain and blow through it — if air doesn't pass freely, the hose is clogged. Flush with water or replace the hose ($15-25 part).
If you have a garbage disposal, run it for 30 seconds with water flowing to clear any blockage at the connection point. If the disposal is new, check that the knockout plug was removed.
Some installations include an air gap device on the countertop near the sink. Remove the cap and check for debris blocking the opening. Clean it out if necessary.
If you've cleaned the filter, checked the drain hose, and performed a power reset but the SE error persists, the drain pump likely needs replacement. This requires disassembling the bottom of the dishwasher, disconnecting electrical connections, and installing a new pump — a job best left to a certified technician. Also call a pro if you notice water leaking from the bottom of the dishwasher, as this could indicate a cracked pump housing or loose hose clamp.
$0 – $25 (new drain hose if needed)
Parts only, if needed
$150 – $350 (includes drain pump replacement if needed)
Parts + labor, 90-day warranty
SE (or 5E) stands for a drainage error. The dishwasher cannot pump water out. The most common cause is a clogged drain filter, followed by a kinked drain hose or faulty drain pump.
Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes, then restore power. If the error was caused by a temporary glitch, this will clear it. If the error returns, there's a physical drainage issue that needs to be addressed.
Yes, SE and 5E are the same error code. The digital display on some Samsung models shows the letter S as the number 5, causing confusion. Both indicate a drainage problem.
No. The dishwasher will not complete its cycle with an active SE error. Running it repeatedly without fixing the drainage issue could cause water overflow or damage the drain pump motor.