Samsung Dryer HE Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Heating error: the dryer detected an abnormal temperature, usually overheating from blocked airflow.
- Can I fix it?
- Sometimes, may need a pro
- Also shown as
- HC, HC4, 1HC
- Seen on
- Samsung electric and gas dryers. Older models show HE or hE; newer ones show HC for the same heating check.
Many sites call HE a dead heater, but Samsung’s own pages say the opposite: it usually means the dryer is getting too hot. A full lint screen or a clogged vent traps heat, and that’s the most common cause by far. On electric models, low supply voltage can trigger it too. Newer Samsung dryers show the same heating check as HC.
Try this first
- Clean the lint screen.
- Check the vent duct behind the dryer for kinks, crushing or lint build-up, and make sure the outside hood flap opens freely.
- Turn the dryer off for 2 to 3 minutes, then start the cycle again.
- On models with a Vent Blockage Test, run it to check the duct.
- On an electric dryer, check that neither of its two breakers has tripped.
What causes HE
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full lint screen | Long drying times, hot laundry room | Clean the screen before every load |
| Clogged or crushed vent duct | Weak airflow at the outside hood | The duct behind the dryer and the outside flap |
| Low voltage (electric models) | HE with a clean vent, slow heat | An electrician can measure the supply |
| Tripped breaker | Dryer runs but heat cuts out | Both breakers on an electric dryer |
| Failed thermistor, thermostat or heater part | HE returns with a clean vent | Needs a technician |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
-
Clean the lint screen
Pull out the lint screen, clear it and slide it back in. Samsung says to do this before or after every load.
Safety: Never run the dryer without the lint screen or with a damaged one. Lint is combustible.
-
Check the vent
Pull the dryer out carefully and look at the duct. It should be 4-inch rigid or semi-rigid metal, not plastic or foil, with no kinks. Check that the flap on the outside hood opens freely when the dryer runs.
Safety: Electric dryers run on 240 volts. Unplug the dryer or switch off both breakers before you move it. On a gas dryer, don't disturb the gas line.
-
Run the Vent Blockage Test
On models that have it, press Power, then hold Adjust Time and Dryness together for 3 seconds. Press Start and wait about 2 minutes without opening the door. 0 means normal. Clg or C80 means the vent is clogged; C90 means over 90% blocked and should be cleaned by a professional.
Safety: The drum is hot during and after the test.
-
Reset and test
Turn the dryer off for 2 to 3 minutes, then run a normal cycle and watch for the code.
When to call a technician
If HE or HC comes back after the lint screen and vent are clean, request Samsung service or a technician. The thermistor, thermostats or heater circuit need testing, and on electric models an electrician should check the supply voltage. If you smell gas, don't touch any switches: leave the building and call your gas supplier from outside.
Questions people ask
Does HE mean my Samsung dryer isn't heating?
Usually the opposite. Samsung says HE means the dryer is getting too hot, most often because the lint screen or vent is blocked. On electric models low voltage can also trigger it.
Is HE the same as HC on a Samsung dryer?
They're the same heating check. Older Samsung dryers show HE or hE, and newer ones show HC.
How long can the vent duct be?
Samsung's manual allows up to 80 feet of 4-inch rigid metal duct with no elbows, less with each elbow added, and no more than about 8 feet of flexible metal duct in total. Shorter is better.