What 1C / 1E / LC / LE Means
Samsung’s US washer article lists 1E, LE, 1C, LC and LC1 (with the spellings 1 1C and 1 LC alongside) under one heading, the water level or leakage error: the machine has sensed moisture where there should be none, or the sensor that watches for it is itself at problem. On a Samsung dishwasher the same letters mean a clogged filter or a heater problem, so this meaning belongs to the washer only.
Common Causes of 1C / 1E / LC / LE
- Water on the base pan from a hose, gasket or pump seal
- Excess suds reaching the leak sensor
- Water level sensor or its hose giving a false reading
- Drain hose bracket screw removed, letting the drum siphon
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Samsung’s own steps for this group start outside the machine. With the water taps closed and the washer switched off at the wall, look behind and beneath it for drips at the hose connections, and check that neither hose is kinked and that the screw holding the drain-hose bracket to the back of the cabinet is still in place, because Samsung notes that removing it lets the washer drain on its own and throw codes. Then, with the machine empty and no detergent added, run a rinse cycle and watch for suds; if foam appears, repeat the empty cycle until it clears, since Samsung lists over-sudsing as a trigger for this sensor. A code that returns with dry floor and clear water is a sensor or an internal leak, and both are technician work.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- An internal leak means removing the top or front panel to find which seal or hose is weeping, with the machine full of water and near live wiring; that is a booked visit, not a weekend job.
- A false leak reading from a pressure sensor and a real leak look identical on the display; the technician tells them apart with a test cycle, not by guessing.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.