Sometimes you’ll find your Samsung dryer unable to do anything besides starting up and displaying blinking letters. You know it must be an error — but what does it mean?
We’re here to help you understand what those lights mean and how you can fix them. Your Samsung dryer has over a dozen error codes, so we made a list to help you keep track!
What do my Samsung dryer error codes mean?
Below, you’ll find a list of error codes from your Samsung dryer. You can troubleshoot most of the issues yourself, but some may require professional help.
| Code | Type of Error | Meaning | Solution |
| 3C | Systemic Error | Motor error | Power off your dryer for 2 to 3 minutes, then power it back on and start a cycle. These errors involve internal sensors and components. If they persist, contact a technician. |
| 1 AC7 | Electronic control error | ||
| HC2 | Gas ignition error | ||
| AC, Et, AE, EEE, AE4, AE3, AE5, E3, 1 AC | Internal Communication Error | The dryer’s internal components can’t communicate with each other. | Power off your dryer for 60 seconds before powering it back on again. If the error persists upon resetting, the problem lies in your dryer’s internal components. This requires a professional to open your dryer’s back panel and inspect its components closely. |
| bE, bE2, bC2, 6E, 6E2, 6C2 | Button Error | Buttons are stuck and prevent the dryer from working properly. | Power off your dryer. Press and release the buttons individually, making sure that their edges are not indented and damaged. If the buttons are damaged, they need to be replaced. If there doesn’t seem to be an issue with the buttons but you keep getting the same error, or if the buttons are stuck and you can’t flick them back, you might need to replace the control panel. |
| dC, dE, do, d0, 1 DC, 1 DF | Door Issue | Dryer door is open or won’t close. | Check if your dryer’s door is firmly closed. Make sure that nothing is preventing the door from closing. Check if the latch is secure and working smoothly as well. Wipe it down with a soft cloth and water. |
| dF | Door Circuit Failure | Something is preventing the dryer’s door switch from functioning. | Turn off your dryer and check if its door latch is secure. Check for loose or damaged wiring in your door switch. |
| FE | Invalid Power Source Frequency | The dryer’s power supply isn’t consistent. | Check your power cord for any loose or damaged wiring. If there isn’t any, restart the drying cycle. This issue involves your power source, so if the error persists, call an electrician. |
| 9C1, 9E, 2E, 9E1 | Voltage Error | The dryer isn’t receiving sufficient voltage. | Make sure your dryer is plugged into a power outlet and not an extension cord. For electric dryers, make sure that the power cord is installed correctly and is receiving the correct amount of voltage. |
| oD | Dry Time Error | Moisture sensors detect overdrying. | Power off your dryer and remove the lint filter to check for trapped moisture. Also check if there is residue on your moisture sensor; wipe it down with a soft cloth with water and mild soap, and towel dry it. Check for loose or damaged wirings on the moisture sensor by unscrewing the sensor housing and reconnecting any loose wirings. If the error persists despite no damage in the wiring, this might mean that your moisture sensors need to be replaced. |
| tS, t5, tC, tO, t0, tE, tE3, tC5, tCS, 1 tC, 1tC5, 1tCS | Temperature Error | The dryer’s temperature sensor is picking up abnormal temperature levels or is defective. | Remove the lint filter and check for debris or moisture residue. Clean it with cold water with no soap. Make sure it’s thoroughly dry before putting it back. Check also for vent blockage. Disconnect the vent pipe and clean it. If the error code doesn’t go away, contact a professional to check on your dryer’s temperature sensor. |
| HC, hE, HC4, 1 HC | Heating Error | The dryer is overheating. | Check for clogging in the lint filter and vent pipe. Clean both thoroughly. If your dryer is electric and you receive the code again after doing the above, power off your dryer and check the heating element for loose or damaged wirings. Reconnect or replace any loose or damaged wire. Check the heating element for any damage as well. If there aren’t any damages, the issue might be the voltage supply. Contact an electrician. If your dryer is gas-powered, make sure that the gas valve is fully open and check for loose or damaged wiring connecting to the gas valve. |
| Clg, Cg, Cl9 | Vent Blockage Test Result – Clogged Vent | There’s lint and debris buildup in the vent area. | Disconnect the vent pipe and clean the vent area. |
| C90, C9, C9o | The dryer’s vent is 90% clogged. | Disconnect the vent pipe and thoroughly clean the vent area. | |
| C80, C8, C8o | The dryer’s vent is 80% clogged. | Disconnect the vent pipe and thoroughly clean the vent area. | |
| C1, CL1 | Vent Blockage Test Result – Drum Not Empty | Laundry was detected inside the drum while running the vent blockage test. | Make sure the dryer drum is empty before rerunning the vent blockage test. |
| Ct | Vent Blockage Test Result – Temperature Error | The dryer is below freezing temperature or above 140°F. | Let the dryer cool down for an hour or until it reaches room temperature before re-running the vent blockage test. |
What causes these errors and how can I prevent them from happening again?
Now that you get the gist of these error codes, we’ll help you understand why they occur so that you can watch out for them in the future.
Systemic and Button Errors
| Code | Meaning |
| 3C | There’s an issue with the dryer’s motor. |
| 1 AC7 | There’s an issue with the dryer’s electronic control. |
| HC2 | There’s an issue with the dryer’s gas ignition error. |
| AC, Et, AE, EEE, AE4, AE3, AE5, E3, 1 AC | The dryer’s internal components can’t communicate with each other. |
| bE, bE2, bC2, 6E, 6E2, 6C2 | Buttons are stuck and prevent the dryer from working properly. |
3C, 1AC7, HC2
Faulty internal components lead to errors involving your dryer’s motor, electronic control, or gas ignition. These errors occur when your dryer doesn’t start up correctly or when its operation gets disrupted.
Systemic errors also pop up when you experience a power outage. In that case, remember to unplug your dryer for safety measures.
Solution: The first thing you need to do when you get this type of error is to power off your dryer for a couple of minutes before powering it back on. Most of the time, restarting your dryer solves the issue.
But if the error persists, you’ll have to open the back panel of your dryer to check the motor and other components. In this case, call a technician — one misstep with your dryer’s back panel might invalidate your warranty, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
AC, Et, AE, EEE, AE4, AE3, AE5, E3, 1 AC
Your Samsung dryer’s back panel is made up of components that work together in order for the appliance to do its job. When one of these components glitches, it dominoes so that your dryer won’t be able to operate.
Like motor and electronic control errors, sometimes you receive communication errors because your dryer didn’t start up properly, especially if you left the dryer plugged in during a power outage.
In more complex cases, however, it means your dryer’s internal components and wirings have worn down or been damaged.
Solution: Unplug your dryer and turn it off for at least 60 seconds. If the error doesn’t go away upon restart, call a technician to inspect the components and wirings on your dryer’s back panel.
bE, bE2, bC2, 6E, 6E2, 6C2
Button error codes indicate that one or more buttons on your control panel are stuck.
Your dryer is programmed to obey one command at a time, so pressing a button for a prolonged period can cancel out other commands. In some cases, this can signal your dryer that you need to troubleshoot one of its parts.
Likewise, pressing many buttons too swiftly or consecutively will overload its control center.
Solution: Power off your dryer, then press and release each button on the control panel.
Inspect the edges of each button closely to make sure that none of them is depressed or damaged. Immediately replace any damaged button.
If there are any jammed buttons you can’t pull out, contact a technician to replace your dryer’s control panel.
Door Errors
| Code | Meaning |
| dC, dE, do, d0, 1 DC, 1 DF | Dryer door is open or won’t close. |
| dF | Something is preventing the dryer’s door switch from functioning. |
dC, dE, do, d0, 1 DC, 1 DF
A door error is sometimes just an honest mistake: you left your dryer’s door open, so all you have to do is close it. That’s it!
Your dryer can’t perform any operations unless the door is closed — that’s a safety hazard.
Solution: Check your dryer’s door for any gaps or small openings. Always make sure that it’s closed tightly.
Also, check if the latch is working smoothly. Regularly clean it with water and mild soap only; don’t attempt to lubricate the latch if it’s stuck, especially if you’re using a gas-powered dryer.
Your dryer uses heating elements to dry clothes. Meanwhile, lubricants are flammable materials — you can imagine what could go wrong with that combination.
dF
A door circuit failure error indicates an issue with your door switch. The door switch is responsible for signaling your dryer’s door safety, so if it gets damaged, it might incorrectly send door error warnings.
Depending on the model of your dryer, you can find your door switch behind your door assembly. This will require you to open your dryer’s top cover and inspect some wirings, so if you’re not handy with tools, call a professional.
Solution: Unplug your dryer and check if the door latch is secure.
Remove the top cover of your dryer and unscrew your door assembly to check for any loose or damaged wirings in your door switch.
Furthermore, remember that as your dryer gets older, you’ll have to replace aging parts of it, including its door switch. If you keep getting the door circuit failure error, it might be time to buy a new door switch.
Frequency and Voltage Errors
| Code | Meaning |
| FE | The dryer’s power supply isn’t consistent. |
| 9C1, 9E, 2E, 9E1 | The dryer isn’t receiving sufficient voltage. |
FE
A frequency error code indicates that the dryer’s electrical power source fluctuates.
Your dryer requires a specific frequency (60 Hz) to function. When your dryer receives less than this, it might power on but wouldn’t be able to perform basic tasks.
Solution: Check your power cord for any loose or damaged wiring. If there is none, restart your drying cycle.
If the error appears again, check in with an electrician to inspect the power supply in your area.
9C1, 9E, 2E, 9E1
You’re likely to encounter a voltage error earlier when your Samsung dryer is new rather than later.
A voltage error code indicates that your dryer isn’t getting the amount of voltage it requires (240V). This happens when you try to plug it into an extension cord rather than a circuit.
If you purchased your Samsung dryer from overseas, you’ll receive this error code because power regulation varies between countries.
Solution: Plug your dryer into a 240V power outlet.
If you have an electric dryer, check that the power cord is connected securely and has no damage. If the error persists, contact an electrician.
Meanwhile, if your dryer is stacked with a washer via a multi-control kit, you’ll receive a voltage error if you try to control your dryer within 5 seconds of turning on the washer.
For this specific issue, update your control settings via Samsung’s SmartThings app. This will take approximately 20 minutes long, and your dryer will be unresponsive until the update is finished.
Temperature and Heating Errors
| Code | Meaning |
| oD | Moisture sensors detect overdrying. |
| tS, t5, tC, tO, t0, tE, tE3, tC5, tCS, 1 tC, 1tC5, 1tCS | The dryer’s temperature sensor is picking up abnormal temperature levels or is defective. |
| HC, hE, HC4, 1 HC | The dryer is overheating. |
Temperature and heating errors usually involve your dryer’s moisture sensor, lint filter, and vent pipe.
oD
An oD or overdrying error code means that your dryer senses excessive drying time. When your dryer fails to read the moisture level inside your dryer correctly, it can send out this error code.
The reason for this could either be because the dryer’s moisture sensors are already worn or because moisture is being trapped in your dryer’s moisture sensor or lint filter.
More importantly, remember that the moisture sensor and lint filter accumulate moisture with each cycle. To prevent moisture from getting trapped, clean these two components after every load.
Solution: Power off your dryer and do the following:
- Clean the lint filter. Use cold water with no soap and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in your dryer.
- Wipe the moisture sensor down with a soft cloth with water and mild soap. Towel dry the sensor twice to make sure there’s no moisture residue left on it.
- Check for loose or damaged wirings on the moisture sensor. Do this by carefully unscrewing the sensor housing.
- If the error persists, replace the moisture sensor.
tS, t5, tC, tO, t0, tE, tE3, tC5, tCS, 1 tC, 1tC5, 1tCS
Temperature errors indicate that your dryer is picking up abnormal temperatures inside the drum.
The most common reason for this issue is that your dryer’s lint filter and vent pipe are clogged. The lint filter can trap moisture with each dry cycle, while the vent pipe is where moisture from wet clothes escapes.
When moisture gets trapped in the dryer drum, it can mess with the dryer’s temperature sensor.
This can also mean that your dryer’s temperature sensor is defective.
Solution: To clean the lint filter, remove it from its housing and clean it with cold water with no soap. Dry it thoroughly before putting it back.
To clean the vent pipe, disconnect it from the dryer and clean any lint or debris buildup.
If cleaning these components doesn’t resolve the issue, call a technician to check on your dryer’s temperature sensor.
HC, hE, HC4, 1 HC
A heating error indicates that your dryer is overheating, either because it’s trying to complete a dry cycle too vigorously or because its heating element is damaged.
When the lint filter and vent pipe trap moisture inside the drum, this forces the dryer to prolong its drying time in order to air out the moisture. Longer drying times lead to overheating.
Sometimes, though, a heating error from an electric dryer means it’s not heating up enough. In this specific case, it’s because the dryer isn’t receiving enough voltage.
Solution: Clean out the lint filter and vent pipe.
If you’re handy with tools, you can check the heating element for any damage. For gas-powered dryers, check the dryer’s gas valve.
Otherwise, call a professional on the matter.
Vent Blockage Results
| Code | Meaning |
| Clg, Cg, Cl9 | There’s lint and debris buildup in the vent area. |
| C90, C9, C9o | The dryer’s vent is 90% clogged. |
| C80, C8, C8o | The dryer’s vent is 80% clogged. |
| C1, CL1 | Laundry was detected inside the drum while running the vent blockage test. |
| Ct | The dryer is below freezing temperature or above 140°F. |
When your dryer isn’t heating or drying clothes, one of the troubleshooting you’ll need to do is a vent blockage test.
Newer Samsung dryer models are programmed to let you know if the vent pipe is clogged and to what extent.
To run a vent blockage test, your dryer must be empty, otherwise, you’ll have to rerun the test.
The vent pipe naturally accumulates lint and debris over time, but unlike your dryer’s moisture sensor or lint filter, it doesn’t need to be cleaned after every cycle.
Cleaning it once or twice a year is enough.
Solution: Here’s what you should do based on the vent blockage test result:
- Clg, Cg, Cl9, C90, C9, C9o, C80, C8, C8o: Power off your dryer and clean the vent pipe thoroughly. Reconnect it securely.
- C1, CL1: Remove any leftover laundry or items inside the dryer drum. Afterward, rerun the vent blockage test.
- Ct: Power off your dryer for an hour or until it cools down to room temperature before rerunning the vent blockage test.
Understanding your Samsung dryer’s error codes is part of taking care of it and ensuring it doesn’t wear out sooner.
The next time you encounter an error code, you’ll know when to call a professional on the matter. It could even save you time and money!
