Samsung · Washer Serious

HE — / HE1 / HE2 — Heater circuit fault

The control detected an out-of-range water temperature rise during a heated wash, or the heater thermistor is open/shorted. Sanitize and Steam cycles will fail first.

Keep using it?
Limited use only
DIY difficulty
Moderate
Typical cost
$30-70
Verified against
samsung.com ↗

The fix

Washer heating element

Heater error - water not heating

$30-70 moderate difficulty 90 min Tools: socket set, multimeter, screwdriver

Diagnose first: Element should read 20-30 ohms. Failure often follows hard water scale buildup - run a tub-clean monthly.

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How to fix it

  1. Power down the washer and drain via the front filter.
  2. Remove the rear (front-load) or bottom (top-load steam models) panel to access the heater terminals.
  3. Measure heater resistance — should read roughly 20-40 ohms; infinity = open element.
  4. Measure thermistor resistance — about 10k ohms at room temperature.
  5. Replace the heating element + gasket as a set if open or heavily scaled.
  6. If both heater and thermistor test good, suspect the main control board.

Why it happens

Typical signs: HE appears partway through a heated cycle · Sanitize/Steam cycles never finish · Clothes come out cold

  • Failed heating element Open element or scaled element won't transfer heat.
  • Defective thermistor Temperature sensor on the heater housing reports wrong value.
  • Wiring or thermal-cutout open Heater harness damaged or one-shot thermal fuse blown.

More Samsung washer codes

3C 3C / 3E — Motor Fault 4C 4C / 4E — Water Supply Error 4C2 4C2 — Hot water connected to cold inlet 4E 4E — Water supply error (older code, same as 4C) 5C 5C / 5E / SC — Will Not Drain 5E 5E — Drain error (older code, same as 5C)

All Samsung codes → All washer codes →

Always unplug an appliance before servicing it. This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for a qualified technician. Verified against manufacturer documentation: samsung.com.