Samsung Washer ND Code (5C): What It Means and How to Fix It
If the tub is full of water right now, read the caution box before you open anything. Hot water from a sanitize or hot cycle can scald, and a front loader can hold several gallons behind the door.
Samsung ND code: match what you see
| What you notice | Most likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| ND right after the washer was moved or pushed back | Kinked or crushed drain hose | Drain hose |
| Front loader, water drains slowly, smells musty | Clogged pump filter (coins, hair, lint) | Clean the pump filter |
| Hose goes into a sink or a tall standpipe | Hose too high, too low or too deep | Hose height |
| Washer won’t spin and clothes are soaking | Water still in the tub; it won’t spin until it drains | Pump filter or drain manually |
| Humming but no water moves, filter clean | Drain pump jammed or failed | Request service |
⚠️ Caution: hot water and a lot of it
If you ran a hot or sanitize cycle recently, Samsung warns “the water in the washer may be very hot” and to wait about an hour. Unplug the washer before opening the pump filter, and have towels and a shallow pan ready: the water comes out fast and there can be a lot of it. Don’t open the main door on a front loader that is full of water.
1. Turn the washer off and check it’s level
Samsung’s first step: “If the washer isn’t level it may not drain correctly.” While you’re behind the washer, leave the screw that holds the drain hose against the back alone. If it has been removed, Samsung says to refit it with any screw that fits, and “If the holder is missing, service is required.”
2. Check the drain hose
Samsung: “Incorrect drain hose installation is the most common reason for drain issues.” Check that the hose:
- goes 6 to 8 inches into the standpipe or sink, no more and no less;
- is secured so it can’t slide further in;
- isn’t sealed airtight into the pipe (no tape or tight fitting around it);
- has no kinks, flat spots or damage;
- is at least 18 inches and no more than 96 inches high (24 to 35 inches if it drains into a wash basin);
- isn’t lengthened with an extension kit.
Also pull the hose out and pour a bucket of water down the standpipe. If it backs up, the clog is in your house drain, not the washer.
3. Clean the pump filter (front loaders only)
Samsung: “this step only applies to front loaders, since top loaders do not have a removable pump filter.” The filter is behind the small panel at the bottom front of the washer. Samsung’s steps:
- Press on the panel to open it. Put down a towel and a low container such as an oil drain pan.
- Pull out the small drain hose and twist off its cap. It can be stiff because it “forms an airtight seal.” Let the water run into the pan, recapping it when the pan is full.
- When the water stops, remove the filter by “twisting it counter-clockwise.”
- Clean it with a soft brush and look inside the opening at the pump impeller for coins, hair ties or bra wires.
- Refit the filter, twisting it clockwise until it’s secure, recap the drain hose, clip it back and close the panel.
Samsung recommends cleaning this filter “about once a month or 40 washes, whichever is more frequent.”
How to drain a Samsung washer manually
On a front loader, the small hose behind the pump filter door is the emergency drain (step 3 above). A top loader has no emergency drain hose, so bail the water out with a small container and towels; don’t unscrew the drain hose holder on the back to get it lower. Don’t pry open a locked door to get the water out.
4. Run a test cycle
Plug the washer back in, power it on and start a Rinse+Spin or Drain/Spin cycle. Samsung: “The washer should drain at the beginning of the test cycle.” If it doesn’t, Samsung says to “visit our Support Center to request service.” To clear the code after a fix, power the washer off for 2 to 3 minutes, power it on and restart the cycle.
What an ND repair usually costs
| Repair | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump replacement | $300 to $400 | HomeAdvisor (June 2026), Fixr (Jan 2025) |
| Washer repair, most jobs | $125 to $450 (average about $180) | HomeAdvisor (June 2026) |
| Diagnostic visit | $50 to $100 | Fixr (Jan 2025) |
Clearing a clogged filter or straightening a hose costs nothing, which is why it’s worth doing before booking a visit.
When to call a technician
Call if the filter and hose are clear and the washer still won’t drain at the start of a test cycle, if you hear the pump hum without water moving, or if the drain hose holder on the back is missing. Tell the technician what you checked and whether the pump makes any sound. Print the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What does ND mean on a Samsung washer?
“No drain error”: the water isn’t draining at the correct speed, or at all. 5C, 5E, SC, SE and 1 5C are the same fault on other models.
How do I force my Samsung washer to drain?
On a front loader, use the small emergency drain hose behind the pump filter door at the bottom front. On a top loader, bail the water out with a container; there’s no emergency drain hose.
Why is my Samsung washer showing ND and not spinning?
It won’t spin with water still in the tub. Fix the drain problem (hose, then filter) and the spin usually returns.
Does a Samsung top loader have a drain filter?
No. Samsung says top loaders do not have a removable pump filter, so check the hose and the house drain, then call for service.
Is ND the same as 4C?
No. 4C means the washer isn’t filling. See our Samsung 4C code guide.
Sources: Samsung: washer error codes · Samsung: washer won’t drain · Samsung: clean the pump filter · HomeAdvisor: washer repair cost · Fixr: washer repair cost.
Updated October 23, 2026. Written and edited by Jordan Hale. Steps checked against Samsung’s support pages; no hands-on test is claimed. Buttons and codes vary by model, so follow your owner’s manual.
