Causes and How to Fix It
A Samsung dishwasher LC or LE error means the base-pan leak sensor has tripped. The drain pump may run continuously to clear water the sensor keeps detecting. Resetting the code without finding the source repeats the trip within days, and a slow weep keeps damaging the cabinet and floor.
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Quick answer
LC / LE on a Samsung dishwasher means the base-pan leak sensor has detected water under the tub. Common sources are a worn door (case) gasket, a split drain hose at the disposal connection, a sump-to-tub gasket weep, and a slow inlet-valve drip. We dry the pan, find the source, replace the part with OEM, and verify two cycles before closing. Most Samsung leak-code repairs land $225–$465 all-in. Flat $149 trip fee, credited toward the repair when you approve it. 1-year written parts-and-labor warranty.
Common causes
What it is: Case gaskets can stiffen and shrink at the lower corners with age. A small amount of water tracks down the inside of the door and pools in the base pan, and after enough cycles the leak sensor trips.
Fix: Replace OEM Samsung case gasket. Dry basepan, clear leak sensor, verify two full normal cycles.
Typical all-in: $225–$315 all-in
What it is: The corrugated drain hose stress-cracks at the tightest bend behind the disposal. Tiny drain-phase weep over weeks fills the leak pan. Common when the dishwasher has been pulled and re-seated during a remodel.
Fix: Replace OEM Samsung drain hose with a clean routing path, dry basepan, reset sensor.
Typical all-in: $215–$305 all-in
What it is: The lower sump gasket can shrink with age. The slow seep every cycle goes directly into the base pan, with no visible leak on the floor.
Fix: Pull the dishwasher, replace OEM sump gasket and (when warped) the lower spray manifold seal.
Typical all-in: $315–$425 all-in
What it is: Samsung inlet solenoid valve diaphragms fail closed-but-leaking — drips during the off-cycle run down the line and pool under the unit. Often paired with a slight whistle on fill.
Fix: Replace OEM Samsung inlet valve, dry basepan, reset sensor.
Typical all-in: $235–$345 all-in
What it is: A hairline crack in the tub corner causes a continuous slow leak that returns soon after every reset.
Fix: Tub replacement is rarely cost-effective, so we will tell you honestly if replacing the dishwasher makes more sense.
Typical all-in: Replacement usually recommended
Need appliance repair? Call 7am–9pm, every day.
Diagnostic order
First turn off power at the breaker and shut the water valve under the sink. Then pull the dishwasher forward and shop-vac the leak pan completely dry until the sensor is exposed and clear.
Look for shrinkage, stiffness, or a wet line on the inside of the lower door. Gasket leaks track down inside the panel and are easy to miss without a light.
With power and water restored for the test, watch the disposal connection, drain hose, and inlet valve. Many leaks reveal themselves here.
Watch the sump-to-tub seam from beneath. A small amount per cycle is enough to trip the sensor over time.
Once the source is replaced, dry the pan a second time, reset the leak sensor (power-cycle for about a minute), and run two full normal cycles back-to-back.
FAQs
Both mean the leak sensor in the base pan has tripped. Different Samsung model generations display LE or LC. The fault and the diagnostic flow are the same.
Shut off the water and power first, dry the pan, then power-cycle for about a minute. Unless you've fixed the source, the code returns within days and the slow weep keeps damaging your floor.
Most repairs land $225–$465 all-in. Door-gasket and drain-hose work runs lower and sump-gasket work runs higher; a cracked tub usually means replacing the dishwasher. The flat $149 trip fee is credited toward whatever repair you approve.
It can show up on any Samsung dishwasher, and older units are more likely to have worn gaskets and hoses. The door gasket is the most common failure.
Samsung's standard dishwasher warranty is typically 1 year; check samsung.com or your paperwork for your model. Have the model and serial number ready when you call.
We carry common OEM Samsung gaskets, inlet valves and drain hoses. If a part isn't on the truck, we order it by model number and lead time depends on the part.
Related coverage
See all Samsung repair services.
What will this cost?
Trying to decide repair vs. replace? These pages break down real all-in pricing by brand, model class, and failure mode — so you know the number before we knock.
LC or LE on a Samsung dishwasher is the leak alarm. A sensor in the base of the machine has detected water where it should not be, so the dishwasher stops the cycle and runs the drain pump. Which letters you see depends on the model. The meaning is the same: there is water under the tub and it came from somewhere.
Central Minnesota Appliance Repair treats the code as a search for the source. Drying the base and resetting the machine will only hide a leak for a few cycles.
| Code | General meaning | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| LC or LE | Leak detected in the base | Door seal, hoses, pump seal, inlet valve, tub |
| 5C or 5E | Drain problem | Filter, drain hose, drain pump |
| 4C or 4E | Water supply problem | Supply valve, inlet hose screen, inlet valve |
| HC or HE | Heater fault | Heating element and sensor |
| tC or tE | Temperature sensor fault | Sensor, wiring |
Letter style (C or E) varies by model year. Check your manual if your code is not listed.
Start by turning off the power at the breaker and the water at the valve. Remove the lower rack and the filter and check for water pooled in the tub. Look at the door seal for debris or damage, and wipe it clean. Make sure the dishwasher is level and that nothing, such as a spoon or bottle, is blocking the door from closing flat.
Some leak sensors reset once the base is dry and power is cycled. If the machine runs a normal cycle and the code stays away, you may have dealt with a one-time spill. If LC or LE returns, the leak is active and a technician should find it.
A hardened or shifted seal can let water run to the base, most often at the lower corners.
A cracked or pinched drain hose, especially near the disposal connection, can weep during the drain phase.
A worn seal at the sump leaks a small amount each cycle.
A valve that does not seal fully drips into the base even when the machine is idle.
Hand dish soap or too much detergent causes foam that escapes around the door. Use dishwasher detergent only.
Samsung dishwasher leak repairs typically land in the $225 to $465 range all-in, depending on the part. The $149 trip fee is credited toward the repair when you approve it, and the work carries a 1-year written parts-and-labor warranty. See Samsung dishwasher repair and Samsung dishwasher error codes for more, or dishwasher leaking for brand-neutral tips.
The dishwasher drains whatever water it can reach to protect your floor. It stops once the sensor is dry or the power is cut.
Only after you have dried the base and found no visible leak. Watch the first cycle closely.
Indirectly. Blocked water can overflow around the door. Clean the filter regularly.
Need appliance repair? Call 7am–9pm, every day.
