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HESamsung Washer

Samsung Washer Error HE – Meaning, Causes & How to Fix

Heater error – the washer's water heating element is not functioning correctly.

High Severity
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Expert Verified

Reviewed by a Certified Electrical Engineer & Licensed Technician

Official Meaning

Heater error – the washer's water heating element is not functioning correctly. The water is not reaching the target temperature within the expected time.

Real-World Causes

  • 1Heating element has burned out or developed an open circuit
  • 2Water temperature sensor (thermistor) is giving incorrect readings
  • 3Wiring to the heater or thermistor is damaged or has a loose connection
  • 4Control board relay for the heater circuit has failed
  • 5Scale or mineral deposits on the heating element reducing efficiency
  • 6Heating element is grounding to the outer tub

Symptoms

Look for these signs to confirm error HE on your Samsung Washer:

  • HE, HE1, or HE2 error displayed on the control panel
  • Water remains cold during cycles that should use warm or hot water
  • Clothes not cleaning properly due to lack of heated water
  • Cycle runs much longer than normal as the machine waits for water to heat
  • Error may appear only on hot water cycles – cold cycles work normally

DIY Fix (Safe)

  1. 1Try running a cold-water-only cycle to confirm the machine works without the heater
  2. 2Check if your hot water supply is working by running hot water from a nearby faucet
  3. 3Run an empty hot wash cycle with a cup of white vinegar to dissolve scale deposits on the heater
  4. 4Power cycle the washer by unplugging for 2 minutes – sometimes the sensor needs to reset
  5. 5If the error only appears intermittently, clean the thermistor connector at the back of the tub

Professional Action Required

  1. 1Test the heating element with a multimeter – it should read 20-40 ohms, replace if open circuit or shorted to ground
  2. 2Test the thermistor (temperature sensor) – it should read approximately 10k ohms at room temperature
  3. 3Inspect the heater wiring harness for heat damage, melting, or loose spade connectors
  4. 4Replace the control board if the heater relay is confirmed faulty via continuity test
  5. 5Descale the heating element with a commercial washer cleaner if buildup is severe

Additional Context

Load Type
Any load using warm or hot water cycles
Drain Related
false
Sensor Issues
NTC thermistor drift due to age can cause inaccurate temperature readings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samsung Washer error HE mean?
Error HE indicates a problem with the washer's water heating system. Either the heating element has failed or the temperature sensor is malfunctioning. The washer cannot heat water to the selected temperature.
Can I still wash with cold water if HE error shows?
Some models will allow cold water cycles to run. However, the HE error should be repaired, as many wash programs require heated water for proper cleaning and sanitation.

Related Error Codes

Other Samsung Washer Errors

4EThe control board detected insufficient water entering the tub during the fill cycle
5EThe washer failed to drain water from the tub within the allotted drain cycle time
UEThe washer detected an unbalanced load during the spin cycle
dEThe washer detected that the door is not properly closed or the door lock mechanism has failed to engage

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.