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tESamsung Dishwasher

Samsung Dishwasher Error tE – Meaning, Causes & How to Fix

Temperature sensor error – the dishwasher's water temperature sensor is not responding or is returning readings outside the acceptable range.

Medium Severity
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Expert Verified

Reviewed by a Certified Electrical Engineer & Licensed Technician

Official Meaning

Temperature sensor error – the dishwasher's water temperature sensor is not responding or is returning readings outside the acceptable range.

Real-World Causes

  • 1Thermistor (NTC sensor) has failed electrically – open circuit or shorted
  • 2Thermistor wiring connection to the control board is loose or corroded
  • 3Thermistor has been damaged by high heat or chemical exposure over time
  • 4Control board analog input circuit for temperature is faulty
  • 5Heating element is overheating due to a stuck relay, causing abnormal temperature readings

Symptoms

Look for these signs to confirm error tE on your Samsung Dishwasher:

  • tE error on the control panel – dishwasher stops or won't start
  • Water does not heat during the wash cycle – dishes come out greasy or poorly cleaned
  • Dishwasher runs excessively long cycles as it waits for water to reach temperature
  • Drying performance is poor because final rinse temperature was too low
  • Error may appear intermittently at first, then become permanent

DIY Fix (Safe)

  1. 1Power cycle the dishwasher by turning off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes
  2. 2Run a hot water cycle at the kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher – this pre-heats the supply line
  3. 3Verify your home water heater is set to at least 49°C (120°F) – the dishwasher needs hot inlet water
  4. 4Check the tE sub-code if displayed – it may indicate which specific sensor has failed
  5. 5Try running a short cycle to see if the error clears after reset

Professional Action Required

  1. 1Locate and test the thermistor – should read approximately 10k-15k ohms at room temperature
  2. 2Check the thermistor connector at the control board for corrosion or loose fit
  3. 3Replace the thermistor sensor – typically mounted on the sump housing or inside the tub near the heater
  4. 4Test the heating element for shorts to ground that could affect temperature sensing
  5. 5If thermistor is good, the control board analog sensing circuit may need board replacement

Additional Context

Load Type
Any – temperature is monitored on all wash cycles
Drain Related
false
Sensor Issues
NTC thermistor degradation is the primary cause – inexpensive part, moderate labor

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samsung Dishwasher error tE mean?
Error tE means the water temperature sensor in your dishwasher has malfunctioned. The dishwasher can't verify the water temperature, which is critical for both washing and sanitizing. The thermistor sensor typically needs to be tested and replaced.

Related Error Codes

Other Samsung Dishwasher Errors

4CWater supply error – the dishwasher is not receiving water or the fill rate is too slow
5CDrain error – the dishwasher is unable to pump water out within the expected time
LCLeak detected – the dishwasher's leak sensor in the base pan has detected the presence of water, indicating a potential leak in the system
OCOver-level water error – the dishwasher has detected that the water level inside the tub is higher than expected, indicating a fill valve that won't shut off or drain that is too slow

About the Author

Technical Review Team

Reviewed by certified appliance technicians with 10+ years of Samsung repair experience. Every error code is verified against manufacturer service manuals and real-world repair data.