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Samsung Dishwasher OC Error: Causes & Fixes

On a Samsung dishwasher with a digital display, error code OC, also shown as 0C or oE, is an over-level water error meaning there is more water in the dishwasher than there should be; Samsung's own guidance routes this code to its drain-and-overflow troubleshooting content.

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.
  • Heavy appliance: two-person lift: A dishwasher is heavy and can tip. Do not pull it out of the cabinet, tilt it, or lift it by yourself; get a second person to help.
  • 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.
  • Hot water and steam scald risk: Open the dishwasher door carefully during or right after a cycle. Hot water or steam can escape and cause burns; wait until water noises stop and steam subsides before fully opening the door.
  • Sharp debris near the filter and drain pump: Wear gloves and use caution when removing the filter, pump cover, or other parts for cleaning; broken glass or other sharp debris can collect near the drain pump impeller.

What causes Samsung OC

  1. Drain/filter area dirty, or filter parts missing or misassembled: Food and debris built up in the dishwasher's drain and filter area, or filter parts that are missing or reassembled incorrectly, can cause drain and overflow-related issues. Difficulty 2/5.
  2. Sink drain or garbage disposal clogged: A clogged garbage disposal or a blocked sink drain the dishwasher shares can back up and contribute to an over-level water condition. Difficulty 1/5.
  3. Drain hose kinked or bent: A kinked or bent drain hose, especially after a recent change to the hose or its connection, restricts drainage and can contribute to an over-level condition. Difficulty 1/5.
  4. Drain hose missing an air gap or high loop, allowing backflow: A drain hose not connected to an air gap and without a "high loop" above its connection to the sink can let water backflow into the dishwasher instead of draining, contributing to an over-level condition. Difficulty 3/5.
  5. Dishwasher resting on and pinching its own drain hose: On a recent installation, the dishwasher sitting on top of its own drain hose can pinch it shut, preventing normal drainage and contributing to an over-level condition. Difficulty 2/5.
  6. Household sink plumbing itself not draining: The issue can be with the home's own sink plumbing rather than the dishwasher: if the connected sink does not drain when water is run into it, the plumbing itself is at fault. Difficulty 1/5.
  7. Water or drain line frozen: A frozen water or drain line (in a cold installation location) can prevent the dishwasher from draining normally, contributing to an over-level condition. Difficulty 1/5.

Find the cause of OC on your dishwasher

Step-by-step checks for Samsung OC

Inspect the drain hose for kinks or bends

About 5 minutes

  1. Trace the accessible run of the drain hose.
  2. Check for kinks or sharp bends.

Inspect the sink drain and garbage disposal

About 10 minutes

  1. Run the garbage disposal, then check whether the sink drains freely.
  2. If the dishwasher is connected directly to a drain, look for visible blockage.

Check whether the drain line is frozen

About 15 minutes

  1. Inspect the water and drain lines in cold areas (e.g., under the sink, in an unheated cabinet).
  2. Warm the area if a freeze is suspected.

Test the connected sink's drain flow

About 5 minutes

  1. Run water in the sink the dishwasher drains into for about 30 seconds.
  2. Verify whether the sink drains normally.

Verify the drain hose has an air gap or high loop

About 10 minutes

  1. Trace the drain hose to the sink connection.
  2. Check for an air gap fitting or a high loop above the connection point.

Check whether the dishwasher is resting on its own drain hose

About 15 minutes

  1. Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker and close the water supply valve that feeds it.
  2. Pull the dishwasher out slightly (with help; the unit is heavy).
  3. Check whether the drain hose is pinched under the unit.

Clean and check the drain/filter area

About 20 minutes

  1. Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker.
  2. After a cycle, wait 20 minutes for the heating element to cool before reaching into the tub.
  3. Remove any removable filter/drain parts per the user manual.
  4. Clean out food and debris, wearing care for sharp debris.
  5. Reassemble the parts exactly as instructed.

How to fix Samsung OC

Clear the garbage disposal or direct drain blockage

About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Run the garbage disposal to clear food waste.
  2. Remove any visible blockage from a direct drain connection.

Thaw a frozen water or drain line

About 60 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Leave the cabinet door under the sink open, or otherwise let the area warm up.
  2. If the lines remain frozen, contact a plumber.

Straighten or replace the kinked drain hose

About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Straighten the accessible run of the drain hose.
  2. If it cannot be straightened, request service to replace it.

Clean and correctly reassemble the drain/filter area

About 20 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker.
  2. After a cycle, wait 20 minutes for the heating element to cool before reaching into the tub.
  3. Remove any removable filter parts per the user manual.
  4. Clean out food and debris.
  5. Reassemble exactly as instructed so no part is missing or misaligned.

Reposition the dishwasher off its own drain hose

About 20 minutes · Difficulty 2/5

  1. Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker and close the water supply valve that feeds it.
  2. With help (the unit is heavy), pull the dishwasher out slightly.
  3. Free the pinched drain hose and route it clear of the cabinet base.
  4. Push the dishwasher back into place.

When to call a technician about Samsung OC

  • Contact a plumber for household plumbing that will not drain
  • Follow the manual's Over-level water check procedure (blinking-light models)
  • Request Samsung service if the OC error or drain issue persists
  • Have a technician remove the disposal's knockout cap (new installations)
  • Install an air gap or high loop per local plumbing code

Sources

  1. Dishwasher SP.. Instruction Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  2. Dishwasher SHSM63****, SHS863****, SHS843****, SHVM63****, SHV863**** Operating Instructions, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  3. Dishwasher SMS6HAI01A User Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  4. Samsung DW6000J series dishwasher user manual, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  5. Samsung dishwasher is not draining, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  6. Samsung dishwasher is displaying an error code, Samsung US Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)

Last updated September 29, 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