Samsung · Washing Machine
Samsung Washing Machine LE Error Code
Leak or moisture detected in base
What this error means
LE (also LE1 or lE) indicates water where it should not be—typically at the base leak sensor or along the door boot channel. Samsung cuts fill and may stop the cycle to limit floor damage. This is unrelated to LG's motor LE code.
How LE is detected
When LE appears on a Samsung washing machine, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Samsung WF45R6100AW, Samsung WA52M7750AW, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most LE calls are resolved without parts: unplug and inspect the floor and rear hose connections for active drips. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If LE returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Loose fill or drain hose clamp dripping onto the base pan
- Door boot tear or pinhole spraying during high spin
- Over-sudsing from non-HE detergent pushing foam past the seal
- Internal tub-to-pump hose clamp slipped after prior service
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Unplug and inspect the floor and rear hose connections for active drips
- 2Run an empty rinse-and-spin with no detergent to clear suds if foam was visible
- 3Check the gray door gasket fold for splits along the bottom six o'clock area
- 4Tighten the drain hose screw-on holder at the rear—Samsung warns against removing this bracket
When to call a technician
Dry exterior with LE returning on the next cycle means an internal hose or pump seal leak requiring cabinet disassembly.
Affected models
- Samsung WF45R6100AW
- Samsung WA52M7750AW
- Samsung WF45T6000AW
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use washing machines to prevent LE from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when LE appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Samsung washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for LE; Samsung uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting LE; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.