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Samsung Dishwasher LC Error: Causes & Fixes

On a Samsung dishwasher with a digital display, error code LC, also shown as LE, means the leak sensor has detected moisture; the dishwasher turns itself on and will not turn off while it tries to drain the water away.

Before you work on your dishwasher

  • Power: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its circuit breaker before removing panels or touching wiring.
  • Water: Turn off the water supply valve before disconnecting hoses or the inlet valve.
  • Heat: Water and the heating element can be hot right after a cycle; let the dishwasher cool first.
  • Sharp debris: Wear gloves when reaching into the filter or sump; broken glass often collects there.
  • Stop: If you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or find water near wiring, switch off the breaker and call a technician.
  • Disconnect power before accessing internal dishwasher parts: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker that powers it before removing panels, the filter, or the drain pump cover, or before reaching into the sump.
  • Shut off the water supply before disconnecting hoses: Turn off the water supply before disconnecting the drain hose, siphon connection, or water inlet, or before pulling the dishwasher out for service.

What causes Samsung LC

  1. Water supply hose leak or loose connection: A leak at or along the water supply hose (connections at the dishwasher, at the home, or a damaged section of hose) is a documented cause of a visible dishwasher leak. Difficulty 1/5.
  2. Dishwasher not level front-to-back or side-to-side: A dishwasher that is not level, especially front-to-back with the front lower than the back, allows water to pool at the door and potentially leak out; being unlevel left-to-right can also prevent the door from closing fully. Difficulty 2/5.
  3. Spray nozzles/jets clogged, diverting water at the door seal: Food stuck in the spray nozzles/jets can divert the water spray straight at the door with enough force to push it through the seal, causing a leak. Difficulty 1/5.
  4. Door/tub rubber seal misaligned or dirty: The rubber door seal can get pushed out of its channel, or accumulate foreign material, creating a gap large enough for water to leak out during a cycle. Difficulty 1/5.
  5. Drain hose connection to home plumbing leaking: A leak at the drain hose's connection to the home plumbing (not properly installed or tightened) is a documented cause of a visible dishwasher leak. Difficulty 2/5.
  6. Wrong detergent (dish soap) causing excess suds: Using dish soap (dishwashing liquid) instead of dishwasher detergent creates excessive suds that can escape the dishwasher and cause a leak. Difficulty 1/5.
  7. Excess or overfilled detergent lingering in the system: Excess or overfilled detergent lingers in the dishwasher's system and, because it does not dry and evaporate as quickly as plain water, can activate the moisture sensor and trigger a leakage code. Difficulty 1/5.
  8. Garbage disposal dishwasher-drain knockout cap not removed: If the dishwasher was recently connected to a garbage disposal, a knockout cap left in the disposal's dishwasher-drain connection can let water reach the leak sensor and trigger a leakage code even without a visible leak. Difficulty 2/5.
  9. Cabinet mounting screws over-tightened, stretching the tub: Over-tightened cabinet mounting screws can stretch the sides of the dishwasher tub, creating gaps that leak; the opening at the screws should measure exactly 22 inches. Difficulty 2/5.
  10. Residual moisture near the sensor after recently moving the dishwasher: If the dishwasher was recently moved, water can splash near the leak sensor underneath the unit and trigger a leakage code until it dries. Difficulty 1/5.
  11. Waterwall water reflector blocked or obstructed: On Waterwall models, the LC/LE leakage code can also mean the water reflector is blocked or obstructed by dishes or utensils, not just a water leak. Difficulty 1/5.

Find the cause of LC on your dishwasher

Step-by-step checks for Samsung LC

Check the detergent dispenser for overfilling

About 5 minutes

  1. Open the detergent dispenser.
  2. Check for overfilling or detergent added outside the dispenser cup.

Check the detergent label

About 2 minutes

  1. Read the full detergent product label.
  2. Confirm it is labeled for dishwashers, not handwashing.

Check whether the dishwasher is level

About 10 minutes

  1. Use a level to check side-to-side.
  2. Use a level to check front-to-back.

Inspect the rubber door seal

About 5 minutes

  1. Open the door and examine the rubber seal channel.
  2. Check whether the seal has been pushed out of alignment.
  3. Check for foreign material on the seal.

Inspect the drain hose connection to the home

About 10 minutes

  1. Trace the drain hose to its connection with the home plumbing.
  2. Check for moisture or looseness at that connection.

Inspect the water supply hose even with no visible leak reported

About 10 minutes

  1. Check both connections of the water supply hose.
  2. Feel for moisture along the hose.

Inspect the spray nozzles/jets

About 10 minutes

  1. Check each spray nozzle and jet hole for food debris.
  2. Clean out any blockages found.

Inspect the water supply hose

About 10 minutes

  1. Check the connection where the hose meets the dishwasher.
  2. Check the connection where the hose meets the home.
  3. Feel the entire length of hose for moisture or damage.

Measure the tub opening and check the water reflector

About 15 minutes

  1. Measure across the tub opening at the cabinet screws; it should read exactly 22 inches.
  2. On Waterwall models, confirm no dishes or utensils obstruct the reflector.

How to fix Samsung LC

Clean the spray nozzles/jets

About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Remove each spray nozzle per the user manual.
  2. Clean out food debris.
  3. Reinstall the nozzles.

Clear the Waterwall reflector obstruction

About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Open the dishwasher and locate the water reflector.
  2. Remove any dishes or utensils blocking its movement.

Correct the detergent amount

About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Stop overfilling the detergent dispenser.
  2. Never add detergent outside of the dispenser cup.
  3. Use the amount recommended for the cycle.

Reseat and clean the rubber door seal

About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Push the rubber seal back into its channel.
  2. Clean the seal with a towel and mild soap to remove foreign material.

Switch to dishwasher-labeled detergent

About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Stop using dish soap or dishwashing liquid.
  2. Use a detergent labeled specifically for dishwashers.

Correctly install and tighten the drain hose connection

About 20 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Turn off the water supply.
  2. Tighten or correctly reinstall the drain hose connection at the home plumbing per the installation guide.

Level the dishwasher

About 20 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Adjust the leveling legs until the dishwasher is level front-to-back.
  2. Adjust the leveling legs until the dishwasher is level side-to-side.

Loosen over-tightened cabinet screws

About 20 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Locate the cabinet mounting screws.
  2. Loosen them until the tub opening measures exactly 22 inches.

Reinstall or replace the water supply hose

About 30 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker or unplug it.
  2. Turn off the water supply.
  3. Reinstall the water supply hose to seal any gaps or loose connections.
  4. If the leak continues, replace it with a 3/8 inch stainless steel hose.

When to call a technician about Samsung LC

  • Follow the manual's Leakage check procedure (blinking-light models)
  • Request Samsung service if the leak or leakage code is not resolved
  • Have a technician remove the disposal's knockout cap

Sources

  1. Dishwasher SP.. Instruction Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  2. Dishwasher SMS6HAI01A User Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  3. Samsung DW6000J series dishwasher user manual, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  4. Samsung dishwasher is displaying an error code, Samsung US Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  5. Samsung dishwasher is leaking or has a leakage error code, Samsung US Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)

Last updated October 2, 2026 · facts last verified September 19, 2026 · How we source and verify

Guidance only; follow your appliance manual and local codes. If anything looks unsafe, stop and call a qualified technician. Safety disclaimer