Pump Motor Error

Home Appliance Error Codes Samsung Dishwashers

Can you still use it? With care until repaired

Who can fix it? Needs a technician

Typical repair time 30 minutes – 3 hours

Typical cost SAR 100 to 1,000

What it means

This code appears on Samsung dishwashers with a digital display when the circulation pump that pushes water to the spray arms does not run as it should, or its signal does not reach the main board. The cycle stops or no water is sprayed, so dishes stay dirty. The same code can mean something else on other brands, its meaning may differ between some Samsung dishwasher series, and on Samsung washing machines 3C means a drum motor fault.

Models covered: Samsung dishwashers with a digital display; codes and their order differ between some series.

Symptoms4

3C appears after the program starts.
No sound of water spraying inside the machine.
Humming or an unusual noise from the bottom of the machine.
Dishes stay dirty even though water enters.

Possible causes5

Bottom filters clogged, reducing water reaching the pump.
Hard object such as glass or a fruit pit stuck in the circulation pump impeller.
Loose connector or damaged wire between the pump and the main board.
Failed circulation pump motor.
Faulty pump drive circuit on the main board.

How to diagnose5

Unplug the dishwasher, remove the lower rack and clean the bottom filters as the user manual shows.
Look into the filter well for glass or hard objects and remove them carefully without reaching into the pump.
Make sure the spray arms turn freely by hand and their holes are not blocked.
Restart on a short program; if the code returns, a technician unplugs the machine before opening it.
The technician checks the pump and its connectors and measures the motor against the manufacturer specification, then checks the main board if the pump is good.

How to fix6

Clean the bottom filters and remove hard objects from the filter well.
Clean the spray arms and their holes.
The technician removes any object stuck in the pump impeller.
Repair the loose connector or damaged wire.
Replace the circulation pump if its motor is confirmed faulty, or the main board if it is confirmed as the cause.
Run a full program and confirm water sprays, dishes come out clean and the code does not return.

Repair cost

0–200

200–600

600–1,500

1,500+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

The cost is low when removing a stuck object or fixing a connector solves it, and reaches the high end when the circulation pump is replaced.

Prices are rough estimates including the part and the technician’s fee, and vary with brand, model and part source.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is 3C on a dishwasher the same as 3C on a washer?

No. On a dishwasher it concerns the circulation pump that sprays water; on a washing machine it concerns the drum motor.

I heard rattling before the code appeared. Why?

Usually a hard object such as glass or a fruit pit got into the pump. Unplug the machine and clean the filters; if the noise remains, call a technician.

Is cleaning the filters enough?

Often yes, if the blockage was starving the pump of water. If the code returns, the pump or its wiring needs checking.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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