Quick answer
The most common sudden cause of leaks and LC is hand dish-washing liquid used instead of dishwasher detergent, creating thick foam that escapes from the door. Next come a dirty or damaged door seal and an unlevel dishwasher, then hose connections or the pump seal. Leaks from underneath need a technician.
Overview
Samsung dishwashers have a base pan and a leak sensor (float). When water collects in the base the float rises, so the dishwasher stops filling, runs the drain pump and shows LC.
That’s why you may see LC before any water on the floor — and why the code may stay until the base has completely dried.
Likely causes
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1
Hand-wash liquid or excess foam
Liquid for hand-washing creates thick foam that escapes around the door; even residue on dishes can do it.
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2
Dirty or damaged door seal
Food on the seal or a crack prevents a tight close.
Related parts: Door gasket
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3
Dishwasher not level
Tilting forward sends water towards the door and out underneath it.
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4
Spray arm hitting dishes
An arm spraying straight at the door edge because a dish deflects it, or a broken arm.
Related parts: Spray arms
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5
Hoses or inlet valve
A loose inlet or drain-hose connection, or a leak at the inlet valve.
Related parts: Water inlet valveDrain hose
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6
Pump seal or internal leak
A leak from the circulation-pump seal or an internal joint fills the base and triggers the leak sensor.
Related parts: Circulation (wash) pumpLeak sensor (float)
Safe checks before calling a technician
Unplug the dishwasher before any check, and close its tap if there is a leak. Wear gloves when checking the sump in case of broken glass, and don’t open the side or bottom panels.
- Stop the dishwasher, unplug it, and close its tap if water keeps coming.
- Make sure the detergent is for dishwashers and no hand-wash liquid was used.
- Wipe the door seal and tub edges with a damp cloth and look for cracks.
- Check the dishwasher is level front-to-back and side-to-side.
- Spin the spray arms by hand to ensure they’re intact and don’t hit anything.
- Dry the floor, then watch where water first appears on the next run.
Parts involved
Door gasket
A rubber seal around the tub that keeps water and steam in.
Leak sensor (float)
A float in the base pan that rises when water collects, stopping filling, running the drain pump and showing a leak code.
Water inlet valve
An electric valve that opens to let in the right amount of water at each stage.
Circulation (wash) pump
Drives water at pressure to the spray arms during washing; weakness means dirty dishes.
Drain hose
Carries water from the pump to the drain; its routing and height affect draining and leaks.
Spray arms
Rotating arms with small nozzles that spray the dishes; blocked nozzles or collisions weaken cleaning.
When should you call a technician?
- Water appears from underneath, not from the door.
- LC returns after the base has dried.
- The door seal is torn or detached.
- The dishwasher drains continuously and won’t start a programme.
Need a Samsung repair technician?
Send us the model, the error code and a description of the fault — or book a technician visit in Amman, Zarqa, Salt, Madaba or Sahab.
Related error codes
Frequently asked questions
I used hand dish-washing liquid by mistake — what now?
Stop the programme, remove the foam with towels and a sponge, then run one or more short rinses without detergent until the foam is completely gone.
Why does LC stay after the leak is fixed?
Water in the base pan takes time to dry so the float can drop — possibly hours. If it persists for long, have it checked.
Is a leak dangerous electrically?
It can be if water reaches a socket or wiring. Unplug the dishwasher and handle it carefully.