Samsung Dishwasher OC Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Over-level water error: the dishwasher detected excessive water in the tub, usually because water isn't draining or is flowing back in.
- Can I fix it?
- Sometimes, may need a pro
- Also shown as
- 0C, OE, oE
- Seen on
- Samsung dishwashers with a digital display. Some models show OE or oE; models without a display flash a combination of lights.
OC on a Samsung dishwasher is an over-level water error: there is more water in the tub than the control expects. Samsung links it mostly to drainage problems, so start with the drain path. Clean the filter and sump, check the drain hose for kinks, and make sure the sink and garbage disposal drain freely.
Try this first
- Remove and clean the filter, and clear food and debris from the sump under it.
- Make sure the dishwasher isn't sitting on the drain hose and the hose isn't kinked.
- Check that the drain hose has an air gap or a high loop so sink water can't flow back in.
- Run the sink tap for 30 seconds. If the sink backs up, the problem is the house drain.
- If the dishwasher was just connected to a garbage disposal, confirm the disposal's knockout cap was removed.
What causes OC
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged filter or sump | Dirty water left in the bottom of the tub | The filter and the sump area under it |
| Kinked or pinched drain hose | Slow draining, code after a move or new installation | The hose behind and under the dishwasher |
| No air gap or high loop | Water flows back into the tub from the sink | The drain hose should loop up high under the counter or run through an air gap |
| Blocked sink drain or garbage disposal | The sink drains slowly too | Run the sink, clear the disposal, check for the knockout cap |
| Water level sensor or inlet valve fault | OC returns with a clear drain path | Needs a technician |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
-
Turn off the power
Switch off the dishwasher at its circuit breaker before reaching into the tub or under the unit.
Safety: The dishwasher is wired to mains power. Turn the breaker off before you work on it.
-
Clean the filter and sump
Take out the filter as your user manual shows, rinse it and remove any food or debris from the sump below. Reinstall every part the way it came out.
Safety: Watch for broken glass or other sharp debris in the sump.
-
Check the drain hose
Make sure the hose isn't trapped under the dishwasher, kinked or bent. It needs an air gap or a high loop; without one, water can siphon back into the tub.
-
Check the sink and disposal
Clear food from the garbage disposal and run the sink for 30 seconds. If the sink doesn't drain, call a plumber. Frozen drain lines also block drainage and aren't covered by the warranty.
-
Restore power and test
Turn the breaker back on and run a short cycle. Watch whether the tub drains at the end.
When to call a technician
If the filter, sump, drain hose and house drain are all clear and OC keeps coming back, request Samsung service. A technician can check the water level sensor and the inlet valve.
Questions people ask
Is OC the same as the 5C drain code?
No. Samsung lists OC as an over-level water error and 5C as a drain error. They often share a cause, a blocked drain path, so the first checks are the same.
Is it OC or 0C on my Samsung dishwasher?
Both. Samsung lists OC, 0C and oE as the same over-level water error. The letter O and the number 0 look alike on the display.
Can the drain hose cause OC?
Yes. Without an air gap or a high loop, water from the sink can flow back into the dishwasher, and a kinked hose stops it from draining.