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Samsung Washing Machine Error Code LC

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 11, 2026
⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Also shown as: LC1, LE1, E9

Leak detected — moisture sensed in the base pan

The most common cause of the LC error on a Samsung washing machine is over-sudsing pushing foam past the tub seals (~30% of cases); start with: reduce detergent and rerun.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$90 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$320 Save $150+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code LC on the display panel
How the LC code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

What Does Error Code LC Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?

Leak detected — moisture sensed in the base pan.

The leak sensor in the washer's base pan detected water where it shouldn't be. The machine stops and pumps out to protect your floor. The trigger is often a real leak (hose clamp, door boot, dispenser overflow), but oversudsing from too much detergent can push foam past seals and trip it too.

What Causes Error Code LC?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Over-sudsing pushing foam past the tub seals 30% of cases
  2. 2
    Door boot gasket torn or fouled at the bottom fold 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Internal hose clamp or dispenser hose leaking 25% of cases
  4. 4
    Tub seal or drain pump housing leak 20% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code LC

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Reduce detergent and rerun

    Use HE detergent only, and less of it (2 tsp is enough for most loads). Run a Rinse+Spin and watch for suds — foam-triggered LC needs no parts.

  2. 2

    Inspect the door boot

    Pull back the gasket folds and look for tears, pinholes at the bottom, and trapped debris.

    🔩 Samsung door boot gasket ($40–$90)
  3. 3

    Check under the machine

    Tip the washer back (two people) or pull it forward and look for drip trails from the dispenser hoses, inlet valve, and pump housing.

    ⚠️ Unplug the washer and shut the water supply before tipping.
  4. 4

    Dry the base pan

    Towel out the base pan so the sensor resets — LC repeats until the pan is dry even after the leak is fixed.

How to Reset Error Code LC

Fix the leak source, towel the base pan dry, then unplug for 60 seconds and restart. LC returns immediately if moisture remains at the sensor.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full Samsung washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Washer leaking water →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If you can't find the leak source after checking the boot, hoses, and pump, a technician can run a pressurized fill test — persistent unexplained LC sometimes traces to a hairline tub crack.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$320

Related Error Codes

5C
Drain error — water not draining within the time limit
⚠ High Severity
OE
Drain failure — water not draining
⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code LC appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows LC →

Whirlpool logo
Whirlpool Washing Machine LOC
Control lock active — all buttons disabled
Maytag logo
Maytag Oven LOC
Control lock active — keypad intentionally locked

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Samsung Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Samsung Washing Machine repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes

4C Water supply not detected UE Unbalanced load detected LE Motor locked — drum cannot rotate DE Door not properly closed or door lock failure HE Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature SUD Excessive suds detected

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error LC appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while LC is active can worsen the leak fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes LC on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is over-sudsing pushing foam past the tub seals (30% of cases), door boot gasket torn or fouled at the bottom fold (25%), then internal hose clamp or dispenser hose leaking (25%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
LC keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored LC fault; if it returns, the leak problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — reduce detergent and rerun, then inspect the door boot — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix Samsung Washing Machine error LC? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$90 in parts, versus $150–$320 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 11, 2026.

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