Samsung Dryer HE or HC Error: Heating Problem

HE or HC on a Samsung dryer is a heating error. Samsung links it mainly to overheating, and the most common cause is poor airflow. When hot, moist air can’t leave the dryer fast enough, the temperature rises and the safety controls cut in.

What to check yourself

1. Clean the lint screen thoroughly, including the housing it slides into.
2. Check the vent. Make sure the flexible duct behind the dryer isn’t crushed or kinked, and that the outside vent flap opens freely when the dryer runs.
3. Feel the airflow outside. With the dryer running, go outside to the vent hood. You should feel strong, warm airflow. Weak airflow means a blocked duct.
4. Power supply (electric dryers). A tripped half of a double breaker can leave the dryer running with no heat.

Why a clogged vent matters

A lint-clogged dryer vent doesn’t just cause error codes and long drying times. It is also a leading cause of dryer fires. In condos and townhomes, long shared vent runs clog faster than in houses. If it’s been a few years, have the full vent line cleaned.

When it’s a repair

If airflow is good and the error persists, the fault is usually a heating element, thermal fuse, thermostat or thermistor (on gas models, the igniter or gas valve coils). We test each one and replace the failed part.

Why a new thermal fuse isn’t always the fix

If the dryer overheated because of a blocked vent, the thermal fuse may blow to protect it. Replacing the fuse gets the dryer working again, but if the vent is still clogged, the new fuse will blow too. That’s why we always check airflow before replacing heating parts.

How we test it

1. Measure airflow and exhaust temperature.
2. Check the thermal fuse, the heating element and thermostats for continuity.
3. Check the thermistor readings against the correct range.
4. On gas dryers, check the igniter and gas valve coils.

How to prevent HE and HC errors

• Clean the lint screen before every load.
• Use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct behind the dryer, not thin foil or plastic duct.
• Keep the duct as short and straight as possible.
• Check the outside vent flap a few times a year for lint and bird nests.
• Have the full vent line cleaned every year or two, more often in condos with long vent runs.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to keep using the dryer with an HE error?

No. An overheating error is a safety warning. Stop using the dryer until airflow is checked.

My dryer runs but there’s no heat and no code. Same problem?

Often, yes. A blown thermal fuse, a failed element or a tripped breaker can cause no heat with or without a code.

How do I know if my vent is clogged?

Long drying times, a hot laundry room, clothes that are very hot at the end of a cycle, and weak airflow at the outside vent are all signs.

Need help?

Call 604-729-0499 or leave a request online. See also: Samsung appliance repair.