- Appliances
- Dishwashers
3C
Samsung 3C on a dishwasher: pump operation error
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On a Samsung dishwasher, 3C flags a pump operation error. Samsung says to turn it off and start the cycle again; if the error persists, contact its support centre.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- The pump sits in the base next to the electrical connection: do not dismantle the dishwasher. Samsung limits home steps to turning it off and restarting the cycle.
Safe checks you can perform
- Exact code: 3C versus 3E
- Turn off and restart the cycle
- Repeat on later cycles
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Pump test and measurement
- Do not attempt this professional task: Full test cycle
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Pump test and measurement
What they doThe technician checks whether the pump turns, whether it receives power and whether its winding is within Samsung's specification, measuring with a multimeter.
They must show youthe pump measurement and whether power reaches it.
In writingthe diagnosis and, if the pump is replaced, its part number and the reason.
Full test cycle
What they doAfter the repair, they run a full cycle and check it finishes without 3C.
They must show youthe cycle finished without the code.
In writingthe test and its result.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Exact code: 3C versus 3E
- Who:
- you, no tools.
- How:
- check whether it shows 3C or 3E and at what stage the cycle stopped.
- Result that matters:
- which error it is.
- If 3C:
- pump error; follow this page.
- If 3E:
- Samsung defines it as incoming water too hot; that is a different page.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the display.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Turn off and restart the cycle
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn the dishwasher off and start the cycle again, as Samsung says.
- Result that matters:
- whether the cycle finishes without 3C.
- If it finishes:
- it was a one-off; watch the next washes.
- If the code returns:
- Samsung says to contact its support centre.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of the restart and the result.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Repeat on later cycles
- Who:
- you, during normal use.
- How:
- note whether the code returns and on which programme. Do not dismantle the pump or the base of the dishwasher.
- Result that matters:
- whether the fault is isolated or recurring.
- If it does not return:
- nothing more is needed.
- If it recurs:
- confirms the pump needs checking.
- Evidence to keep:
- list of dates, programmes and codes.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- Samsung
- Product type
- Dishwashers
Known code variants
- 1 3C
- 3 C
- 3E
- 3E1
- 3E2
- 3E3
- 3E4
- code erreur 3C lave-linge Samsung
- codice 3C Samsung
- código 3C Samsung
- erreur 3C Samsung
- error 3C lavadora Samsung
- errore 3C lavatrice Samsung
- Fehlercode 3C Samsung
- lavavajillas Samsung error 3C
- Samsung 3C
- Samsung 3C bomba
- Samsung 3C inverter motor
- Samsung 3C motor inverter
- Samsung 3C pump
- Samsung dishwasher 3C
- Samsung dishwasher error 3C
- Samsung dryer 3C
- Samsung dryer error 3E
- Samsung lavavajillas 3C
- Samsung secadora 3C
- Samsung Waschmaschine Fehler 3C
- Samsung washer 3C
- Samsung washing machine code 3C
- secadora Samsung error 3E
What it means
Samsung US defines 3C on dishwashers as a pump operation error, with two steps: turn the dishwasher off and try the cycle again, and contact support if it persists. The board detects the pump is not running as expected. It may be a one-off glitch that clears on restart or a problem with the pump, its supply or its control. Do not confuse it with 3E, which Samsung defines as incoming water that is too hot. The code does not say which part is at fault.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
The pump sits in the base next to the electrical connection: do not dismantle the dishwasher. Samsung limits home steps to turning it off and restarting the cycle.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- One-off control glitchPossible
Fits if the next cycle finishes without a code after turning it off and starting again, which is what Samsung suggests.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
- Failed or jammed pumpPossible
Suspected if 3C returns on every cycle. Only the technician can check the pump with the appliance open.
Evidence: Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Virtual technician
Does 3C still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Samsung USA dishwasher error codes
Samsung · 2026 · official_doc
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