Samsung HE washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What HE actually means

The machine isn't heating the water as expected, so it has stopped the wash partway through.

Samsung machines watch the water temperature while heating. If the temperature doesn't climb the way the control board expects within the allowed time, it times out and shows HE (some models show TE for the same family of fault). The wash stops, usually with water still in the drum and the door locked, so your clothes are stuck inside soaking wet.

What HE looks like on a Samsung washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Samsung washing machine, HE usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Failed heating element
Faulty NTC temperature sensor on the element
Element wiring or connection gone bad
Control board misreading the temperature signal

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and see if the code returns on a fresh cycle — a one-off reading will sometimes clear.
If the code comes straight back and the drum is full, open the small filter flap at the bottom front and use the drain hose or filter to let the water out into a shallow tray before the load sits wet for days.
Note whether cold-only or rinse-only cycles complete normally — that's useful information for whoever attends.

Common questions about Samsung HE

What does HE mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine isn't heating the water as expected, so it has stopped the wash partway through. Samsung machines watch the water temperature while heating. If the temperature doesn't climb the way the control board expects within the allowed time, it times out and shows HE (some models show TE for the same family of fault). The wash stops, usually with water still in the drum and the door locked, so your clothes are stuck inside soaking wet.

Can I fix Samsung HE myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and see if the code returns on a fresh cycle — a one-off reading will sometimes clear.
If the code comes straight back and the drum is full, open the small filter flap at the bottom front and use the drain hose or filter to let the water out into a shallow tray before the load sits wet for days.
Note whether cold-only or rinse-only cycles complete normally — that's useful information for whoever attends.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Samsung HE?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing HE?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Samsung washing machine codes

All Samsung fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Samsung HE error — washing machine