Samsung Dishwasher Drain Pump Replacement — What This Part Does
The drain pump assembly evacuates water from the dishwasher tub at the end of each cycle and during drain phases. It contains the pump motor, impeller, and housing that together move water through the drain hose and into your sink drain or garbage disposal. Samsung groups drain pump failures under error codes 5C, 5E, OC, and OE, which all indicate a drain or overflow problem.
The pump fails when the impeller becomes jammed with debris, when the motor windings burn out, when impeller blades crack or wear down, or when the pump housing cracks and leaks. Electrical connector problems at the pump terminals can also prevent operation. Over time normal wear, hard water deposits, and food particles that slip past the filter can damage the pump internals and stop it from moving water out of the tub.
Signs It Needs Replacing
- Standing water in the tub after a cycle completes The dishwasher finishes its program but water remains pooled at the bottom instead of draining out.
- Error codes 5C, 5E, OC, or OE on the display Samsung uses these codes to flag a drain or overflow error when the machine detects water is not evacuating properly.
- Grinding, humming, or buzzing noise during drain phase The pump motor tries to run but the impeller is jammed, worn, or the motor itself has failed.
- Dishwasher cycle stops mid-program and won’t advance The control halts the cycle because it senses the drain pump is not removing water as expected.
- Water leaks from under the dishwasher near the front A cracked pump body or loose housing seal allows water to escape during the drain cycle.
- Drain pump runs but water drains very slowly or not at all The impeller blades are damaged or broken so the pump cannot generate enough pressure to push water through the hose.
How to Replace It
- Disconnect power at the plug or breaker and turn off the water supply valve under the sink.
- Remove the lower dish rack and pull the dishwasher forward from the cabinet to access the bottom panels.
- Disconnect the drain hose from the pump outlet and have a towel ready to catch residual water.
- Remove the lower access panel or cover to expose the drain pump assembly at the base of the tub.
- Disconnect the pump electrical connectors by pressing the release tabs and pulling the harness plugs free.
- Rotate the pump counterclockwise (or as directed by the locking tabs) to unlock it from the sump, then lift it out.
- Inspect the new pump impeller to confirm the blades are intact and the impeller turns with resistance but does not spin freely.
- Insert the new drain pump assembly into the sump opening, align the tabs, and rotate clockwise to lock it into place.
- Reconnect the electrical harness connectors firmly until they click, then reattach the drain hose to the pump outlet.
- Reinstall the lower access panel, slide the dishwasher back into the cabinet, restore water and power, and run a test cycle to verify drainage and check for leaks.
The Part You Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Samsung Dishwasher Drain Pump Assembly | Amazon | Part number DD81-02635A fits many models. Check the model and serial number plate inside the door edge or on the tub rim to verify your exact part number on Samsung’s parts site or your parts supplier. |
Related Error Codes
If this part is failing you may also see one of these codes:
- Samsung Dishwasher 3C error code
- Samsung Dishwasher 3E error code
- Samsung Dishwasher 4C error code
- Samsung Dishwasher 5C error code
- Samsung Dishwasher 9E error code
- Samsung Dishwasher Ap error code
- Samsung Dishwasher Be error code
- Samsung Dishwasher Ce error code
- Samsung Dishwasher Hc error code
- Samsung Dishwasher He error code
When to Call a Pro
Call a technician if you have confirmed the drain hose and sink drain are clear but the dishwasher still shows drain errors after pump replacement, or if you find water leaking from areas other than the pump. Also call for help if you are not comfortable working with electrical connections or if the dishwasher is still under warranty, since self-repair may void coverage. If the new pump runs but water still will not drain and the impeller spins freely without resistance, the issue may be a control board fault or wiring problem that requires diagnostic tools and factory service data.