Samsung Dryer HC Error Code
On Samsung dryers, HC, hE, HC4 and 1 HC are heating errors. Samsung says they mean the dryer is getting too hot, and the most common cause is a clogged lint screen or vent trapping heat inside. Because heat and lint are a fire risk, it's worth dealing with right away.
| Brand / appliance | Samsung dryers (electric and gas) |
|---|---|
| Codes | HC, hE, HC4, 1 HC |
| Meaning | Heating error: the dryer is getting too hot |
| Try yourself first? | Yes: clean the lint screen and check the vent |
What HC means on a Samsung dryer
Samsung groups HC, hE, HC4 and 1 HC as heating errors: the dryer has detected that it's running too hot. When hot, moist air can't get out through the vent, heat builds up in the drum and the dryer shuts the heat down to protect itself and your clothes.
Samsung also notes a less obvious case: on electric dryers, the error can occur when the heater isn't getting hot enough because of low voltage at the outlet. That's a job for an electrician, not a DIY check.
Common causes
- A lint screen that's full, or coated with dryer-sheet film.
- A crushed, kinked or lint-packed duct behind the dryer.
- A long vent run in the wall or attic that's clogged with lint.
- An outside vent flap that's stuck shut or blocked.
- On electric dryers, low voltage at the outlet (per Samsung).
- A failed heating or sensor part (a technician's job).
Safety: stop the dryer and let it cool before you touch anything. Unplug it before pulling it away from the wall. On a gas dryer, don't disconnect, bend or strain the gas line; if you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. If you smell burning, don't run the dryer again until it's checked.
Safe things to try first
- Clean the lint screen. Pull it out and remove the lint. If water beads on it, wash it with warm soapy water, let it dry fully and put it back.
- Check the duct behind the dryer. With the dryer unplugged, look for a duct that's crushed, kinked or pushed flat against the wall. It should run as short and straight as possible.
- Check the outside vent. Find where the vent exits the house. The flap should open freely and you should feel strong airflow while the dryer runs. Clear any lint around the opening.
- Reset and test. Turn the dryer off for 2 to 3 minutes, then run a short cycle and stay nearby. If HC comes back quickly, stop and call.
When to call a technician
- HC keeps coming back after the lint screen and vent are clean.
- The dryer smells hot or burnt, or the outside of the cabinet gets unusually hot.
- The vent runs a long way through the house or to the roof. A professional vent cleaning is the safe way to clear it.
- You suspect a voltage problem on an electric dryer (call an electrician for the outlet; call us for the dryer).
Inside the dryer, a heating or temperature-sensing part may have failed, and that needs a technician. See our dryer repair and vent safety page for more on why airflow matters.
Questions about the Samsung HC code
Is it safe to keep using a Samsung dryer with an HC code?
Samsung says HC means the dryer is getting too hot. Don't keep running heated cycles until you've cleaned the lint screen and checked the vent. The U.S. Fire Administration lists failure to clean as the leading factor in home dryer fires.
Does HC mean the same thing on a Samsung washer or dishwasher?
No. On Samsung washers, HC and HE are listed as a heater error, and on Samsung dishwashers HC is a high-temperature heater error. Same letters, different appliance, different meaning.
What's the difference between HC and HC2 on a Samsung dryer?
Samsung lists HC2 separately as a gas ignition error on gas dryers. That one isn't an airflow problem you can fix yourself; it needs a technician.
My Samsung dryer shows tE or tC instead. Is that related?
Samsung lists tE, tC, tS, tO and similar codes as temperature errors: a problem with the temperature or the sensors that measure it. Samsung's first step is the same, cleaning the lint screen and vent. If the code stays after that, the dryer needs service.