Is your Samsung dishwasher not draining completely? Don’t let dirty dishes pile up! Before you call in a repair person, there are a few things you can check yourself. Let us take you through six possible reasons why your Samsung dishwasher won’t drain water completely and provide solutions to help you get your dishwasher working properly.
Troubleshooting a Samsung Dishwasher Not Draining
So your Samsung dishwasher isn’t draining? Are you seeing a Samsung dishwasher not draining sc code, or maybe codes 5c, 5e, or se? We’ve got your back. Let’s take a look at what might be causing this problem and how you can fix it.
1. Clogged Air Gap
The air gap is a small device that prevents wastewater from flowing back into the dishwasher. If it’s clogged with debris, your dishwasher won’t drain correctly. Grab a toothbrush or small brush, remove the cap, and clean out the air gap.
2. Blocked Garbage Disposal
If your dishwasher drain hose is connected to a garbage disposal, make sure it’s not clogged, many dishwashers are connected to the same pipes as the disposal and this is a common problem.
Running the garbage disposal before the dishwasher can help clear any blockages. This trick is so easy, you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before. If there’s anything blocking the pipes you may need to unclog it. We would also recommend cleaning the garbage disposal while you’re at it.

3. Clogged Drain Hose
The drain hose carries water from the dishwasher to the drain. If it’s clogged or twisted, it can prevent water from draining. Check the hose for any blockages or kinks and straighten it if necessary, if there’s a clog you can’t unblock it may be time to buy a new hose.
You don’t need to be a plumber to handle this fix, and you can often handle this one yourself. Drain hoses might also be the problem if your dishwasher is leaking.
4. Dirty Dishwasher Filter
The dishwasher filter catches debris and prevents it from entering the drain pump. If the filter is dirty or clogged, it can prevent water from draining out of the dishwasher.
Cleaning your Samsung dishwasher filter is a pretty easy process.
- Simply locate the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Remove it by rotating the filter handle counterclockwise.
- Rinse it thoroughly under running water.
- Brush it with a soft brush if there’s anything stuck.
- Twist it back into place.
- Do this every few months to prevent your dishwasher from not draining properly and to keep your dishes clean.

5. Faulty Drain Valve
This small solenoid valve controls the flow of water in and out of the dishwasher. If it’s not working properly, the dishwasher won’t be able to drain completely.
To check if it’s faulty, you’ll need a multimeter to test it for continuity. If it’s not working, you’ll need to replace it. This is a more complex repair, and is usually a job for a professional.
6. Broken Impeller
The impeller pumps water through the dishwasher’s spray arms. If it’s broken, you’ll find your Samsung dishwasher not pumping water out of the dishwasher. Check the impeller for damage and replace it if necessary. This fix may require a bit of help from a professional.
A Samsung dishwasher not draining can be a frustrating problem, but it’s usually fixable. By following the solutions above, you can restore your dishwasher to its efficient operation. Don’t hesitate to call in a professional like the dishwasher repair team at Callahan’s Appliance if you’re unsure about any repairs or feel uncomfortable making them yourself. Your dishwasher will be back to running like new in no time, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about in your busy life.