Samsung Dryer HE Error Code (hE / HC) — What It Means & How to Fix It

The Samsung dryer HE error code means the dryer is getting too hot. Samsung groups HE with hE, HC, HC4, and 1 HC as heating errors, and says the most common cause is a clogged lint screen or vent system trapping heat inside the dryer. Clean the lint screen and the exhaust vent first — that fixes most cases.

This guide explains exactly what the HE error code means, why it appears, the causes in the order you should check them, and the safe steps to fix it. It follows Samsung’s own support page, listed in the sources at the end.

What the Samsung dryer HE error code means

Samsung’s support page for dryer error codes lists HE under heating errors, together with hE, HC, HC4, and 1 HC. Samsung says: “This means that the dryer is getting too hot. The most common cause is a clogged lint screen or vent system trapping heat in the dryer.”

The dryer watches its own temperature with sensors. When the temperature climbs above the safe range, the control stops the cycle and shows HE, hE, or HC to warn you. The code is a safety response, and it is also a clue: heat is building up because it cannot escape, or because the heater is not being controlled properly.

Samsung also notes that in some cases the error can appear when the heater is not hot enough, for example because of a low voltage supply. So while overheating is the usual meaning, a power problem can show the same code.

On Samsung dryers, the code may show as HE, hE, HC, HC4, or 1 HC, depending on the model and display. They all point to the same heating system, and the checks in this guide apply to all of them.

What the HE error code does not mean. It does not mean the dryer is broken beyond repair, and it does not mean the drum motor has failed. It is a temperature problem, not a drum problem. Most of the time it is caused by restricted airflow, not by a failed part.

Most likely causes of the Samsung dryer HE error code, in order

Work through these in order. The first two account for most cases.

Clogged lint screen. The lint screen catches lint from every load. When it is coated with lint, or filmed over by fabric softener, air cannot pass through it. Heat then builds up in the drum and the dryer shows HE.
Blocked or crushed exhaust vent. The vent carries hot, damp air out of the house. If the vent hose is crushed behind the dryer, clogged with lint, or too long, hot air backs up into the dryer. Samsung names a clogged vent system as the most common cause of this error.
Blocked outside vent opening. The outside vent flap can be stuck shut, blocked by a bird’s nest, or covered in lint. If air cannot leave the house, it cannot leave the dryer either.
Vent hose too long or the wrong type. A very long vent run, or a flexible plastic or foil hose that sags and traps lint, restricts airflow much more than a short, straight metal vent.
Overloading the dryer. A drum packed too full stops air circulating around the clothes. The heater runs longer, the temperature climbs, and the dryer overheats.
Low voltage or power supply problem. An electric dryer needs a proper 240-volt supply. If the voltage is low, or one leg of the supply has tripped, the heater can behave abnormally and trigger the code. Samsung lists this as a possible cause.
Faulty thermistor or temperature sensor. The thermistor measures the drum temperature. If it reads wrong, the control may let the heater run too hot, or may shut the dryer down and show HE even when the temperature is normal.
Faulty high-limit thermostat. The high-limit thermostat is a safety cut-out that trips when the dryer overheats. If it has tripped or failed, the dryer cannot heat or regulate properly.
Faulty heating element or main control board. A heating element that is shorted to its casing can overheat the drum, and a faulty control board can keep the heater on too long. These are the least likely causes, and they need a professional to test.

Safety STOP, read this before you start.

Stop and read this first. A dryer with a heating fault can be a fire risk. Do the safe checks first; do not run the dryer while the code is active.

Let the dryer cool down before you touch it. The drum, lint screen, and vent can be very hot.
Unplug the dryer before you remove the vent hose or any panel. If the dryer is hard-wired, switch it off at the breaker.
Never run the dryer without the lint screen in place, and never run it with a disconnected vent hose. Lint and hot air inside the laundry room are a fire risk.
Do not run the dryer if you smell burning or scorching. Unplug it and call a professional.
If you have a gas dryer, do not disconnect or open any gas fitting. Gas work is for a qualified technician only. You may check that the gas supply valve is open, and nothing beyond that.
Do not use the dryer to dry items soaked in flammable liquids, such as petrol, solvents, or cleaning fluids.
If the dryer is under warranty, check the warranty terms before you open anything. DIY work can affect cover.

How to fix the Samsung dryer HE error code safely

Tools you need: vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, a vent brush kit, a screwdriver, and a torch. Time: 45 to 90 minutes. Difficulty: easy to moderate. No electrical testing is needed for the first six steps.

Stop the dryer and reset it. Switch the dryer off and unplug it for 5 minutes. This clears the error from the control. Plug it back in and try a short cycle with no laundry. If HE comes back straight away, continue with the steps below. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Clean the lint screen properly. Pull the lint screen out and remove all the lint. Then wash it in warm, soapy water with a soft brush. Fabric softener leaves an invisible film that blocks airflow even when the screen looks clean. Rinse it, dry it fully, and put it back. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Check the vent opening inside the drum. Look at the vent grille inside the drum. Vacuum out any lint around it. Make sure nothing is covering it, such as a stray sock or a sheet. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Clean the exhaust vent. Pull the dryer away from the wall, unplug it, and disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer. Vacuum lint out of the hose and out of the dryer’s vent outlet. Use a vent brush to clean the full length of the hose and the duct in the wall. Go outside and check the vent flap: it should open freely, and there should be no lint build-up or nest blocking it. Reconnect the hose firmly and make sure there are no gaps. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Check the vent hose. The hose should be as short and straight as possible, with no kinks, crushing, or sagging loops. A crushed foil hose is a common cause of HE. Replace a damaged or very long hose with a short run of rigid or semi-rigid metal ducting, which keeps lint moving instead of trapping it. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Check the power supply. For an electric dryer, check that both breakers for the dryer are on and have not tripped. A tripped breaker on one leg of a 240-volt supply can leave the dryer running without proper heat control. Reset the breaker fully off and then on. If the breaker trips again straight away, stop and call a professional. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Run a test cycle with a small load. Put the vent back together, the lint screen in, and run a timed dry cycle on medium heat with a small load. If the dryer heats normally, finishes the cycle, and no code appears, the fault is fixed. If HE returns, make a note of when it appears, such as at the start of the cycle or after a few minutes of heating.
Check for a failed sensor or heater. This step is for a confident DIYer only, and only on an electric dryer. With the dryer unplugged, you can inspect the heating element housing and the thermistor for visible damage, such as a broken coil or burnt wiring. Do not test live circuits. If nothing is visibly wrong, or if you have a gas dryer, stop here and call a professional.

If HE keeps coming back after the vent is clean and the power supply is sound, the cause is probably the thermistor, the high-limit thermostat, the heating element, or the main control board. Those parts need testing with a meter and, in most cases, a professional visit.

When to call a professional

Call a qualified appliance repair professional if any of the following apply:

HE returns after you have cleaned the lint screen and the full exhaust vent.
The dryer overheats, smells of burning, or the outside of the drum is too hot to touch.
A breaker trips every time you run the dryer.
You have a gas dryer and the fault is still there after the airflow checks. Gas and burner work must be done by a qualified technician.
You need to open the dryer cabinet to reach the heater, thermostat, thermistor, or control board.
The dryer is under warranty, or you have already replaced a part and the code is still there.

Before the visit, write down the exact code you saw, such as HE, hE, or HC, the model number, and which steps you have already tried. That saves the technician time and helps them bring the right part.

How much does it cost to fix the Samsung dryer HE error code in the United States?

I could not verify a reliable, current price for fixing this error in the United States from the sources I checked, so I do not quote one here. In most cases there is no repair bill at all, because the fix is cleaning the lint screen and the exhaust vent. If a part is needed, the cost depends on the model, the part, and local labour rates. Always ask the repairer for a written quote before they start work, and ask whether the visit fee is included.

Parts you may need

Part names only. Buy parts by matching them to your dryer’s model number, never by guesswork.

Lint screen, also called the lint filter
Exhaust vent hose
High-limit thermostat
Thermistor, also called the temperature sensor
Heating element
Thermal fuse
Main control board

Frequently asked questions

What does the Samsung dryer HE error code mean?

It means the dryer is getting too hot. Samsung says the most common cause is a clogged lint screen or vent system trapping heat in the dryer. Clean the lint screen and the exhaust vent first.

Is the HE error code the same as HC?

Yes. Samsung lists HE, hE, HC, HC4, and 1 HC together as heating errors. They all point to the same heating system, and the checks in this guide apply to all of them.

Can I keep using my dryer when it shows HE?

No. Switch it off and let it cool down. An overheating dryer is a fire risk, and running it with a blocked vent makes the problem worse. Work through the cleaning steps in this guide first.

Why does HE come back after I clean the lint filter?

The lint screen is only part of the airflow path. If the exhaust vent hose, the wall duct, or the outside vent flap is still blocked, hot air still cannot escape. Clean the full vent run, not just the lint screen. If the code still returns, the thermistor, thermostat, or heating element may need testing.

How do I reset a Samsung dryer showing HE?

Switch the dryer off and unplug it for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. This clears the error from the control. If HE comes back, the fault is still there, and the vent and power checks in this guide are the next step.

When should I call a professional for the HE error code?

Call a professional if HE returns after you have cleaned the lint screen and the full exhaust vent, if a breaker keeps tripping, or if you have a gas dryer. Opening the dryer cabinet to reach the heater, thermostat, or control board is also a job for a qualified technician.

Sources and last verified

Last verified: 14 November 2026.

Source: Samsung Support, Samsung dryer displays an error code — Samsung lists HE, hE, HC, HC4, and 1 HC as heating errors, says the dryer is getting too hot, and names a clogged lint screen or vent system as the most common cause.