Samsung Washing Machine Error Code OE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026

⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Also shown as: 5E

Drain failure — water not draining

The most common cause of the OE error on a Samsung washing machine is clogged pump filter (lint, coins, debris) (~55% of cases); start with: clean the pump filter.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$90 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$250 Save $150+ by doing it yourself

Samsung Washing Machine error code OE on the display panel — How the OE code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

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

Drain failure — water not draining.

The control board monitors drain time and water level after the pump activates. If the drum does not empty to the expected level within a set window, the OE (older 5E) code fires, indicating restricted or absent flow rather than a fill fault. It differs from 5C/SC pump-signal errors and from PE water-level sensor faults — OE specifically flags that water is still present after the drain phase should have finished, usually from a clog or weak pump.

Models affected: Samsung front-load and top-load washers across most recent series; front-loaders such as WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, WF42H5000AW and WF50BG8300AV typically have the lower-front pump filter access, while top-loaders like WA50R5400AV, WA45T3200AW, WA54R7600AV and the WV60M9900AV FlexWash rely on the same drain-timing logic

What owners report: Owners commonly report OE appearing near the end of a wash or during spin, often after washing bulky or linty items. A clogged pump filter or a bent drain hose is the usual quick win, and many find coins or debris in the filter; false triggers can occur if the drain hose is pushed too far into the standpipe, creating a siphon.

What Causes Error Code OE?

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

1

Clogged pump filter (lint, coins, debris) 55% of cases
2

Kinked or blocked drain hose 25% of cases
3

Faulty drain pump motor 15% of cases
4

Blocked household drain standpipe 5% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code OE

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Clean the pump filter

Locate the filter access panel on the lower-front of the washer. Place a towel and shallow pan below it. Turn the cap counterclockwise slowly — water will drain out. Remove and clean the filter under running water. Check for coins, pins, or lint buildup.

⚠️ Expect a significant amount of water. Have towels ready.
2

Check the drain hose

Inspect the drain hose at the back for kinks. Disconnect it from the standpipe and blow air through it to check for blockages.
3

Check the household standpipe

Make sure the drain standpipe is not clogged. Run water down it directly. If it backs up, the issue is your home plumbing, not the washer.
4

Test the drain pump

If the above steps are clear, the pump motor may have failed. You can hear the pump when the washer tries to drain — a grinding or no-sound indicates failure. Replace the drain pump.

🔩 Samsung drain pump ($40–$90)

⚠️ Unplug before accessing the pump.

How to Reset Error Code OE

After clearing the blockage, restart the washer. If water remains in the drum, run a Spin/Drain-only cycle. The error should clear once a successful drain cycle completes.

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 won't drain →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

Call a pro if the drain pump has been replaced and the error persists — there may be a control board or wiring harness issue.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$250

Related Error Codes

Drain error — water not draining within the time limit

⚠ High Severity

Water pressure sensor (pressure switch) failure

⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

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

LG Washing Machine OE

Drainage error — water not draining within expected time

LG Dishwasher OE

Drain error — dishwasher not draining

GE Appliances Dishwasher OE

Drain error — not draining properly

Kenmore Washing Machine OE

Drain error (LG-platform Kenmore models)

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 OE appears? +

It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while OE is active can worsen the drainage fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.

What most commonly causes OE on a Samsung Washing Machine? +

Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is clogged pump filter (lint, coins, debris) (55% of cases), kinked or blocked drain hose (25%), then faulty drain pump motor (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

OE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored OE fault; if it returns, the drainage problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — clean the pump filter, then check the drain hose — 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 OE? +

A DIY repair typically runs $0–$90 in parts, versus $150–$250 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error OE? +

OE is documented on Samsung front-load and top-load washers across most recent series; front-loaders such as WF45T6000AW, WF45R6100AP, WF42H5000AW and WF50BG8300AV typically have the lower-front pump filter access, while top-loaders like WA50R5400AV, WA45T3200AW, WA54R7600AV and the WV60M9900AV FlexWash rely on the same drain-timing logic. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• Samsung Support — Error Codes — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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