Samsung TE 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 TE actually means

The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the water, so it stops rather than carry on heating.

TE is Samsung's temperature error. The machine relies on an NTC temperature sensor fitted to the heating element to tell it how warm the water is; if that reading is missing, out of range or the water never warms as expected, the wash is abandoned mid-cycle. You'll usually find the drum still full of water with the clothes locked inside.

What TE 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, TE usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
No function at all

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

A failed NTC temperature sensor on the heater — the most common find
A faulty or open-circuit heating element
Damaged or corroded wiring to the sensor
Control board fault (less common, and often blamed wrongly)

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 try a short cold wash — if TE returns, it's a genuine sensor or heater fault
Drain the water off through the filter flap at the front bottom of the machine (have a shallow tray and towels ready) so you can get your washing out
Try a cold-only programme — some machines will complete it, which points to the heating circuit rather than anything else

Common questions about Samsung TE

What does TE mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine can't get a sensible temperature reading from the water, so it stops rather than carry on heating. TE is Samsung's temperature error. The machine relies on an NTC temperature sensor fitted to the heating element to tell it how warm the water is; if that reading is missing, out of range or the water never warms as expected, the wash is abandoned mid-cycle. You'll usually find the drum still full of water with the clothes locked inside.

Can I fix Samsung TE 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 try a short cold wash — if TE returns, it's a genuine sensor or heater fault.
Drain the water off through the filter flap at the front bottom of the machine (have a shallow tray and towels ready) so you can get your washing out.
Try a cold-only programme — some machines will complete it, which points to the heating circuit rather than anything else.

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

How much does it cost to repair Samsung TE?

£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 TE?

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 TE error — washing machine