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LC or LE on a Samsung dishwasher means the appliance has detected moisture and is reporting a leakage error. It does not prove that water is visibly leaking onto the floor or identify a specific failed part. Switch off power before checking, shut off the water if you find an active leak, and work through the external checks below. Samsung notes that instructions can vary by model and region, so consult the manual for your dishwasher’s model.
Why LC can appear without a visible puddle
The leak sensor can detect moisture in a place where it should not be, even if the floor around the dishwasher is dry. Samsung lists excess detergent residue and water splashed near the sensor when the appliance was moved as possible triggers. The code is a warning to investigate, not a diagnosis of one particular component. Samsung’s US support pages identify LC/LE as a “Leakage error” (Samsung: dishwasher leakage or leakage error; Samsung: dishwasher error codes).
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While the code is active, the dishwasher may turn itself on and continue trying to drain. Avoid treating that behavior as proof that the drain pump has failed.
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What to check, in order
1. Make the dishwasher safe to inspect
- Unplug the dishwasher or switch it off at the circuit breaker before investigating.
- If water is actively escaping, turn off the water supply.
- Do not reach beneath or pull out a built-in dishwasher while it is energized or connected to the water supply.
These are Samsung’s stated precautions for leakage troubleshooting (Samsung US leakage guidance; Samsung Australia information codes).
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2. Inspect the supply and drain hoses
Look for moisture, damage, or loose connections along the water-supply hose and at both ends. Check the drain hose too. If you find a leak, keep the water supply off and arrange an appropriate repair. If the supply hose is confirmed as the source, Samsung recommends a 3/8-inch stainless-steel replacement hose rather than a plastic hose. Confirm the fittings and compatibility for your exact model in its installation guide, or have a professional install it; an LC code alone is not a reason to replace the hose.
3. Check recent installation changes and detergent use
- Garbage disposal: If the dishwasher was recently connected to a disposal, check that its knockout cap was removed. Samsung says a cap left in place can cause water to go where it should not and trigger the sensor.
- Detergent: Check whether the dispenser was overfilled or detergent was put outside it. Residue from excess detergent can activate the moisture sensor.
- Recent move: If the dishwasher was moved, water may have splashed near the sensor underneath. Allow time for the area to dry before restoring power.
These possible triggers are described in Samsung’s US leakage troubleshooting guide.
4. Consider other causes without guessing at a repair
Samsung UK also lists a dishwasher leaning forward, a clogged filter, dispenser problems (including hand-wash detergent or excess rinse aid), a leaking hose, worn drain-pump gaskets, and a defective tub as possible LC/LE causes. These possibilities do not establish which fault applies to your dishwasher or provide a model-independent repair procedure. For suspected component failures, use Samsung service guidance rather than dismantling the appliance (Samsung UK information codes).
After drying: when to call for service
Once you have addressed any obvious external issue and allowed moisture to dry, restore power and check whether the code returns. Only run a cycle if there is no active leak and it is safe to do so; watch for water returning around the appliance. If LC/LE remains, comes back, or you suspect an internal leak, contact Samsung service. The code does not specify which component has failed, and drying or resetting will not resolve every cause.
Check the guidance for your model and region
Samsung’s US guidance notes that WaterWall models may also show LC when the water reflector is blocked. Samsung Australia cautions that code behavior and instructions can vary with the model and purchase location, and directs users to the model-specific manual when a code or instruction is not listed. Use the model number from the appliance label to find the relevant manual and regional support page; follow that guidance if it differs from general advice here (Samsung US error-code guide; Samsung Australia information codes).
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