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tESamsung Washer

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

Temperature sensor error – the thermistor is returning out-of-range readings or the temperature is rising abnormally fast or not at all.

Medium Severity
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Expert Verified

Reviewed by a Certified Electrical Engineer & Licensed Technician

Official Meaning

Temperature sensor error – the thermistor is returning out-of-range readings or the temperature is rising abnormally fast or not at all.

Real-World Causes

  • 1Thermistor (NTC temperature sensor) has failed electrically – open or short circuit
  • 2Thermistor wiring harness has a broken wire or corroded connector
  • 3Thermistor has dislodged from its mounting position on the tub
  • 4Control board temperature measurement circuit is faulty
  • 5Water is overheating due to a stuck heater relay on the control board

Symptoms

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

  • tE, tE1, tE2, or tE3 error displayed on the control panel
  • Washer refuses to start any cycle
  • If tE2/tE3: vent fan or drying heater sensor fault on combo washer-dryer units
  • Machine may start but stop shortly into the cycle when temperature check fails
  • Display may show unrealistic temperature readings (0°C or 99°C)

DIY Fix (Safe)

  1. 1Power cycle the washer by unplugging for 5 minutes, then restarting – a temporary sensor glitch may clear
  2. 2Run a cold wash cycle to see if the error persists – the thermistor is still checked even on cold
  3. 3If you have a washer-dryer combo, ensure the ventilation path is not blocked with lint
  4. 4Check if the error code is tE1, tE2, or tE3 – each indicates a different sensor location
  5. 5Ensure the washer is not in an extremely cold environment (below 5°C) which can cause sensor misreading

Professional Action Required

  1. 1Test the main tub thermistor resistance – should be approximately 10k ohms at 25°C and decrease with temperature
  2. 2Trace the thermistor wiring from the sensor to the control board connector, testing for continuity
  3. 3Replace the thermistor assembly – typically located on the lower rear of the outer tub
  4. 4Check for a stuck heater relay on the control board if water is overheating
  5. 5For washer-dryer combos: test the vent heater thermistor and duct temperature sensor separately

Additional Context

Load Type
Any – temperature is monitored on all cycles
Drain Related
false
Sensor Issues
NTC thermistor is the primary failure component – relatively inexpensive part

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samsung Washer error tE mean?
Error tE indicates a problem with the temperature sensing system. The washer's thermistor (temperature sensor) is either not responding or returning readings outside the expected range. The variant codes tE1, tE2, and tE3 indicate which specific sensor has failed.

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.