Error code
Samsung Dishwasher LC Error - Leak Protection Warning
Samsung dishwasher LC usually means leak protection has been triggered, often because water has reached the base or leak-sensing area. Stop using the dishwasher, disconnect power, check only visible water and accessible hose or door-seal areas, and call an engineer if LC returns.
Quick answer
LC: Leak protection has been triggered.
Meaning
Leak protection has been triggered.
First safe check
Switch off the dishwasher, disconnect power, and stop using it while LC is active.
Stop if
Disconnect power before checks, turn off the water supply if a leak is suspected, and do not pull out an integrated dishwasher or remove panels unless it is safe and you are qualified.
Who to call
Call an appliance engineer if LC returns, water is visible under the dishwasher, the appliance is integrated and hard to inspect safely, the pump keeps running, the leak source is not obvious, or any check would require removing panels.
High severity: escalate quickly if it persists. Disconnect power before checking accessible parts where the appliance guidance says to do so.
Fix time
5-20 minutes for visible checks
Difficulty
Cautious external checks only
The safe checks are visual: water, suds, door seal, and accessible hoses. Persistent LC should not be chased with repeated resets.
Expected outcome: An oversudsing incident may clear once dry, but repeat LC means the leak source still needs diagnosis.
What does this error code mean?
Samsung dishwasher LC usually means the appliance has detected a leak risk or water where it should not be, often in the base or leak-protection area. Some Samsung models may use closely related leak wording such as LE, so the exact display can vary by model.
Treat LC as a stop-using warning. Check only visible, accessible areas: water under or around the dishwasher, the lower door seal, the detergent used, and any hoses you can see safely. If the dishwasher is integrated or difficult to access, do not pull it out unless you can do so safely.
LC can sometimes follow oversudsing, a blocked drain route, or water backing up into the appliance. If the dishwasher is also failing to drain, compare Samsung dishwasher 5C. If it is not filling correctly, compare Samsung dishwasher 4C.
Symptoms users may notice
- The dishwasher may drain continuously or run the pump even when no programme is selected.
- Water may be visible under or around the appliance.
- The appliance may beep, stop, or refuse to start a new cycle.
- LC may appear after oversudsing, a blocked drain, or water escaping near the door.
What users often notice
- LC often appears suddenly with the pump running or the appliance refusing to start.
- Users often search this as Samsung dishwasher leaking, LC won't clear, or pump keeps running.
Why is this happening?
- Water in the base pan or leak-protection area
- Loose, split, or poorly seated inlet or drain hose
- Door gasket debris, poor door sealing, or water escaping at the lower door edge
- Wrong detergent or excess suds pushing water or foam into protected areas
- Drain backup or standing water contributing to overflow or leak detection
What this usually points to
LC relates to leak detection, base-pan water, hose connections, door sealing, detergent suds, drain backup, and the appliance's protective drain behaviour.
How to fix this safely
- Switch off the dishwasher, disconnect power, and stop using it while LC is active.
- If a leak is suspected, turn off the water supply if you can reach the isolation valve safely.
- Check for visible water under the appliance, near the plinth, around the door, and around accessible hose connections.
- Wipe away visible suds or water only after power is disconnected, and confirm that dishwasher detergent, not washing-up liquid, was used.
- Do not run another cycle unless the area is dry, there is no visible leak, and the cause was clearly external; stop immediately if LC returns or the pump keeps running.
Can I fix this myself?
MaybeYou can safely check visible water, detergent use, door gasket debris, and accessible hose areas. Repeated LC needs leak diagnosis because water may be close to electrical parts.
Safety boundary: Disconnect power before checks, turn off the water supply if a leak is suspected, and do not pull out an integrated dishwasher or remove panels unless it is safe and you are qualified.
What not to do
- Do not keep cycling the power to silence the warning.
- Do not use washing-up liquid in the dishwasher.
- Do not pull an integrated dishwasher out unsafely.
- Do not remove panels or bypass leak detection.
Common misdiagnoses
- LC can look like a control glitch, but it should be treated as a leak-protection warning until proven otherwise.
- A drain problem such as 5C can contribute to water backing up, so standing water and poor draining should be checked safely.
Reset steps
- Do not reset the dishwasher while water is visible or the surrounding area is wet.
- Leave the appliance powered off until visible water or suds have been cleaned up and the area is dry.
- Reconnect power and try one short test only if there is no visible leak and the appliance is safe to power.
- Stop immediately if LC returns, water appears, or the drain pump keeps running.
Intermittent vs persistent faults
A one-off LC after oversudsing may clear once the appliance is dry. Repeated LC means the leak source or protection system needs diagnosis.
When to call a technician
Call an appliance engineer if LC returns, water is visible under the dishwasher, the appliance is integrated and hard to inspect safely, the pump keeps running, the leak source is not obvious, or any check would require removing panels.
Safety warning
Disconnect the dishwasher from power and stop using it if water may be reaching electrical parts. Turn off the water supply if a leak is suspected, and do not keep restarting the appliance to clear LC.
Useful hub links
Related leak and overflow fault codes
Samsung Dishwasher Error Code 3C
the dishwasher fills but cannot begin active washing properly.
Samsung Dishwasher Error Code OC
the dishwasher has detected an overfill or water-level problem.
Samsung Dishwasher 5C Error - Not Draining Water
The dishwasher is not draining properly.
Samsung Dishwasher Error Code 1C
the dishwasher is seeing a low-water-level problem.
Relevant guide
Frequently asked questions
What does Samsung dishwasher LC mean?+
Samsung dishwasher LC usually means leak protection has been triggered because the appliance has detected water or a leak risk.
Can I keep using a Samsung dishwasher with LC?+
No. Stop using it, disconnect power, and check only visible accessible areas because water may be near electrical parts.
How do I fix Samsung dishwasher LC safely?+
Disconnect power, turn off the water if a leak is suspected, check for visible water, suds, door-seal debris, and accessible hose issues, then stop if LC returns.
Can too much detergent cause Samsung LC?+
Yes. Wrong detergent or oversudsing can push foam or water into areas that trigger leak protection, but repeated LC should still be treated as a leak risk.
Is Samsung dishwasher LC the same as LE?+
On some Samsung models LC and LE are closely related leak-protection warnings, but the exact wording depends on the model manual.
Why does the pump keep running with LC?+
The dishwasher may keep draining as a protective response when it thinks water is in the leak-protection area.
Model variation note
Samsung dishwasher leak-code wording can vary between LC and LE style displays by model. Use the exact model manual where available.