Samsung Dryer Error Codes: hE, HC, dC, C80 and More

Samsung dryer error codes usually point to one of four things: heat that cannot escape, the door, the power supply or a sensor. For Samsung's heating and temperature codes, the most common cause is not a failed part but a clogged lint screen or vent, so start there. Samsung says a dryer without a digital display shows its codes as blinking lights, and details vary by model, so confirm your code in your owner's manual or on Samsung's dryer error code page.

Safety first: an electric dryer runs on 240 volts, so unplug it or switch off its breaker before you pull it out or remove any panel. On a gas dryer, never bend, twist or disconnect the gas line. If you smell gas, do not touch any switches; leave the house and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

Samsung dryer error codes: start with a reset

For a code with no specific fix, Samsung says to power off the dryer for 2 to 3 minutes, power it back on and restart the cycle. If that does not work, check your manual; if the code returns, the dryer needs service. For communication codes, Samsung says 60 seconds off is enough. The one time not to cut the power is when the display shows dn: that is a firmware download, and Samsung warns that unplugging during it can leave the dryer inoperable. See our guide on how to reset a dryer.

Samsung dryer hE and HC: heating errors

Samsung groups HC, hE, HC4 and 1 HC as heating errors and says they mean the dryer is getting too hot. Its steps:

1. Clean the lint screen.
2. Clean the vent system, from the back of the dryer to the outside. Samsung names a clogged screen or vent as the most common cause.
3. On an electric dryer, the same code can mean the heater is not getting hot enough because of low voltage. Samsung says to have an electrician check the voltage supplied.

When to call a technician: the code returns with a clean vent and normal voltage. Repeated overheating wears out the high-limit thermostat and thermal fuse, and a failing heating element can also be involved; see dryer not heating.

Temperature sensor codes: tS, tC, tO and tE

Samsung says tS, t5, tC, tO, t0, tE, tE3, tC5, tCS and their variants reflect a problem with the temperature or with the sensors that measure it, and again names a clogged lint screen or vent as the most common cause. Clean both. If the code continues, it needs service. Samsung adds that a character that looks like an upside-down F is a t.

Samsung dryer vent codes: C80, C90 and CLg

Some Samsung dryers have a Vent Blockage test; Samsung notes that not all models do. Its steps, with the dryer cooled down, the drum empty and the door closed:

1. Press POWER, and within 5 seconds press and hold Adjust Time Up and Dry Level until InS or In appears. If that does not work, Samsung lists Cycle 1 and Wrinkle Prevent, or Air Fluff and Wrinkle Prevent.
2. Press and hold START/PAUSE. The test takes about 2 minutes; do not open the door.

The results, per Samsung:

• 0 or End: the duct system is normal.
• C8 or C80: the vent is about 80% clogged.
• C9 or C90: the vent is about 90% clogged.
• CLg, Cg or CL9: the duct system cannot exhaust properly.
• C1 or CL1: there is laundry in the drum; empty it and retry.
• Ct: the dryer is below freezing or above 104°F; wait an hour at room temperature.

Some models show a Vent Check icon instead. Samsung says it lights when the vent is about 60% clogged, and blinks for three hours after a cycle once it reaches 80%.

Samsung recommends cleaning the exhaust vent once or twice a year even if the dryer passes the test, and warns that some older models do not reduce their heat when the vent clogs. The U.S. Fire Administration lists failure to clean as the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires. For a long vent run, or one that exits through the roof, have a professional dryer vent cleaner do the job. Our guide to a dryer that takes forever to dry covers vents in more detail.

Samsung dryer d80, d90 or d95?

If you searched for d80, d90 or d95 on a Samsung dryer, those codes are not on Samsung's US error code list. They are the codes LG uses for a clogged exhaust duct; see LG dryer error codes. On a Samsung, the vent results are the C codes above. If your Samsung shows a code that is not on Samsung's list, check your owner's manual.

Door codes: dC, dE and dF

Samsung says dC, dE, dF, do, d0 and their variants relate to the door, its latch and the sensors that confirm it is closed. Check that the latch is secure, that nothing is caught in the door, and that it closes and latches fully. If the door or latch is damaged, or the code will not clear, it needs service. Never tape or bypass the door switch.

Power and control codes

• 9C1, 9E, 2E, 9E1: abnormal supply voltage. Samsung says to make sure the dryer is on its own circuit with no extension cord and, on an electric model, that the cord is installed correctly and the voltage is right. Outlet and circuit work is for a licensed electrician.
• AC, AE, Et, EEE, E3: internal parts are not communicating. Turn the dryer off for 60 seconds, then back on.
• FC, FE: an invalid power frequency. Restart the cycle.
• bE, bE2, 6E: a button reads as stuck. Power off, then touch and release every button, working around all its edges.
• CL: Child Lock is on; your manual shows how to turn it off.
• dn: a firmware download. Leave the power on; if dn remains after 24 hours, it needs service.

Samsung also gives examples of other codes: 3C motor error, oD dry time error, 1 AC7 electronic control error and HC2 gas ignition error. For these, do the 2 to 3 minute reset; if the code returns, call for service. Never work on the gas valve or burner yourself.

What usually fails

• The vent. Not a dryer part, but the root cause behind most hE, HC and temperature codes.
• High-limit thermostat and thermal fuse. Safety devices that trip after overheating; they fail again if the vent stays clogged.
• Heating element or gas igniter. Weak or no heat, sometimes with HC2 on gas models.
• Temperature sensor (thermistor). A tS or tE code that survives a clean vent.
• Door latch or switch. A door code on a door that closes normally.
• Control board. Communication codes that return after a reset.

What it costs in Jacksonville

The diagnostic is $79, waived when you approve the repair. Dryer repairs start at $179 plus parts, with a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins, and they typically run $180 to $320 all in on standard brands; premium brands run higher. Every dryer repair includes a vent airflow check, because a new part in a dryer that cannot breathe will fail again. Many Samsung dryer repairs can be finished on the first visit, and there is no trip charge to come back and install an ordered part. Every repair carries our 90-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our pricing.

Schedule dryer repair or call (904) 561-4790 for same-day service across Jacksonville & the First Coast.