LE (also shown as 1E, 1C, LC, or LC1) means the washer detected moisture somewhere it shouldn’t be, or the water-level sensor itself is reporting a problem. It doesn’t always mean there’s a visible leak.
Brand: Samsung
Samsung Washer Error Code LE (Water Level or Leak Error)
LE means the washer’s sensors detected moisture or a water level problem, not necessarily a leak you can see.
Meaning
Possible causes
No cause is certain until it has been checked on the appliance.
- Likely Small leak from a supply or drain hose connection, sometimes too minor to notice without looking closely
- Likely Excess suds building up during the cycle and being read as a water level problem
- Possible Kinked supply or drain hose behind the washer
- Rare Faulty water level sensor
First checks
- Inspect around and behind the washer for any sign of water, including small drips that dry between uses.
- Check both supply hoses and the drain hose for kinks.
- Run an empty cycle with no detergent or additives. If suds appear anyway, oversudsing from a previous load is the likely trigger, keep running empty cycles until none appear.
- If no leak and no suds show up after these checks, the code points to the sensor itself.
What not to do
- Ignoring LE because no water is visible on the floor. Samsung's own guide says leaks can be small enough to go unnoticed.
- Assuming the sensor is faulty before ruling out a leak and an oversudsing cycle. Samsung lists both ahead of a sensor problem.
An error code varies by brand
The same code can have a different meaning depending on the brand and model. Always check your appliance's manual before acting.
Related problems
- Low
Washing Machine Won’t Start? 6 Causes Ranked by Likelihood (With Tests)
Most washers that won't start have a door that isn't fully closed, a tripped breaker, or an engaged control lock, rarely a…
- Low
Washing Machine Stuck on Spin Cycle? 6 Causes Ranked by Likelihood
A washer stuck on spin is usually re-attempting because of an unbalanced load or an unconfirmed lid/door switch, rarely a failed motor.
- Low
LG Washing Machine Not Draining: Reset, Filter Location & Error Codes
LG front-load washers have a pump filter behind a small hinged door at the bottom front, very similar to Samsung's layout. The…
Related guides
When to call a professional
If the simple checks didn’t solve it, if the fix involves electrical wiring, gas, or the refrigerant circuit, or if you have any doubt at all: stop there and hand the appliance to a qualified repair professional.