LE (older firmware) or LC / 7E (current firmware) means the base-pan leak sensor on a Samsung dishwasher has tripped. The drain pump runs continuously to evacuate water it can keep detecting. Resetting the code without finding the source repeats the trip in days — and the slow weep keeps damaging the subfloor.
Reviewed by Mike Larson, Master Appliance Technician · 18+ yrs in-field · Last reviewed
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Quick answer
LE / LC / 7E on a Samsung dishwasher (DW80, DW60, DW50, StormWash, Linear Wash, Bespoke) means the leak-pan optical sensor has detected water under the tub. Four sources cover ~95% of cases: case-gasket failure (years 3–6), drain-hose split at the disposal tailpiece, sump-to-tub gasket weep, and a slow inlet-valve drip. We dry the pan, find the source, replace OEM, and verify two cycles before closing. Most Samsung leakage-code repairs land $225–$465 all-in. Flat $149 trip fee waived on approval. 1-year written warranty.
Root causes, ranked by what we find
What it is: Samsung dishwasher case gaskets stiffen and shrink at the lower corners. A few mL of water tracks down the inside of the door and pools in the basepan during the dry cycle. Two weeks of that and the leak sensor trips LE / LC.
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: Lower sump O-ring shrinks at the 5–7 year mark. Slow seep every cycle directly into the basepan, no visible leak above 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: Hairline stress crack on the polypropylene tub corner. Continuous slow leak that returns within a week of every reset.
Fix: Quote replacement honestly — tub replacement on Samsung dishwashers is rarely cost-effective.
Typical all-in: Replacement quote
Diagnostic order
Pull the dishwasher forward on its rails, tip back 15°, and shop-vac the leak pan completely dry until the optical sensor is exposed and clear.
Look for shrinkage, stiffness, or a wet line on the inside of the lower door. Case-gasket leaks track down inside the panel and are easy to miss without a light.
Watch the disposal tailpiece, drain hose, and inlet valve. Most LE / LC leaks reveal themselves here.
Watch the sump-to-tub seam from beneath. A few mL per cycle is enough to trip LE / LC over 1–2 weeks.
Once the source is replaced, dry the pan a second time, reset the leak sensor (power-cycle 60s on Samsung), and run two full normal cycles back-to-back.
FAQs
All three are the leak-pan sensor trip — older firmware displays LE, current firmware (2018+) displays LC or 7E. The underlying fault and the diagnostic flow are identical.
Power-cycle 60 seconds and the sensor clears once the pan is dry. But unless you've fixed the source, the code returns within days and the slow weep continues damaging your floor.
Most repairs land $225–$465 all-in. Case-gasket and drain-hose work runs lower; sump-gasket work runs higher. Flat $149 trip fee is credited to whatever repair you approve.
We see it most on DW80R, DW80M, DW80K, DW60M (StormWash and Linear Wash) units 3–7 years old, and on Bespoke DW80B / DW80CB from late 2022. Case gasket is the typical failure on those.
Samsung covers the dishwasher 1 year parts + labor from purchase. The wash motor and digital inverter compressor carry longer parts-only coverage — bring the model and serial when you call and we'll check before quoting.
Yes — OEM Samsung case gaskets, inlet valves, drain hoses, and leak-sensor assemblies are stocked. Sumps and tubs are ordered overnight when needed. The on-truck inventory covers about 85% of first-visit repairs. If your part isn't on board, we order direct from the OEM distributor — usually 2–3 business days.
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