Samsung Dryer Et Error: Lint Filter Check Reminder

The Et code on Samsung dryers is unique among error codes — it is an informational reminder, not a fault condition. Samsung displays Et after every cycle to prompt you to check and clean the lint filter before the next load. The dryer operates normally despite Et showing.

However, if your dryer is displaying Et and refusing to start, or if Et accompanies performance problems, the system may be detecting actual airflow restriction beyond normal lint accumulation.

What Et Actually Means

Samsung implemented Et as a post-cycle housekeeping reminder on newer DVE/DVG models. After each drying cycle completes:

1. The display shows Et
2. The dryer remains operational — press Start with a new load to clear Et
3. No component has failed and no error is logged

Important distinction: Et is NOT the same as the d80/d90/d95 vent restriction codes (those are LG-specific) or the HC overheat code. Et simply says "clean your lint screen before drying another load."

When Et Indicates a Real Problem

On some Samsung models, Et transitions from a reminder to a warning if the dryer's airflow sensor detects resistance. This behavior appears on DVE50A and newer models with enhanced lint detection:

Et With Extended Dry Times

If your clothes take significantly longer to dry AND Et is displaying:

• The lint screen may have invisible film buildup from dryer sheets (fabric softener residue)
• The secondary lint trap (inside the dryer below the primary screen) may be clogged
• The exhaust system beyond the lint screen is partially blocked

Cleaning the Lint Screen Properly

The primary lint screen is obvious — pull it from the slot at the top of the drum opening and peel off the lint mat. But thorough cleaning requires more:

1. Remove lint from both sides of the screen mesh
2. Wash with hot water and dish soap quarterly to remove invisible dryer sheet wax film (pour water over screen — if it pools instead of flowing through, film is present)
3. Vacuum the slot where the screen inserts — lint accumulates below the screen in the duct connector
4. Clean the secondary lint area — on DVE45/DVE50 models, remove the screen, then use a narrow vacuum attachment or lint brush to reach down into the cavity below the screen slot (this feeds to the blower)

Beyond the Lint Screen

If thorough screen cleaning doesn't improve dry times:

1. Check the exhaust vent system (disconnect at dryer rear, verify strong airflow)
2. Inspect the blower wheel for heavy lint coating (access from rear panel)
3. Run the dryer for 5 minutes with the exhaust disconnected — if performance is dramatically better, the vent is restricted

Samsung's Enhanced Lint Detection (Newer Models)

The DVE50A8600AV and DVG50A series include an optional airflow sensor that measures differential pressure across the lint screen. When this sensor detects more than 40% restriction:

• Et displays before cycle start (not just after)
• The dryer may extend cycle time automatically to compensate
• Persistent restriction raises the alert to "Check Filter" text display

Parts (If Sensor-Related)

Cost

Et itself requires no repair cost — clean the lint screen (free). If dry times are extended:

When to Call a Technician

• Clothes take 2+ cycles to dry despite clean screen and vent — internal ducting or blower issue
• The lint screen slot mechanism is broken (screen won't seat properly)
• You cannot access the vent system for cleaning (concealed duct, rooftop termination)
• The dryer displays HC (overheating) alongside Et — restricted airflow becoming dangerous

Et Is Not a Malfunction — It Is a Maintenance Reminder

Samsung introduced the Et code (also displayed as "FC" on some models) as a lint filter check prompt. The dryer counts operating hours or cycles, and after a configurable threshold, displays Et to remind the user to clean the lint filter. The dryer will continue running after acknowledging the reminder.

Clearing Et: Press any button or close and reopen the door. The dryer resumes normal operation. No parts need replacing, no repair is required.

Why Samsung Added a Filter Reminder

NFPA statistics show 34% of residential dryer fires result from failure to clean lint filters. Samsung's Et code is their response — a proactive reminder rather than a reactive safety shutdown. The reminder triggers based on accumulated runtime, not on actual lint detection (Samsung dryers do not have a lint sensor).

When Et Becomes a Real Problem

If Et appears after every cycle regardless of lint cleaning — and was not doing this before — the dryer's internal cycle counter may have become corrupted. This happens after power surges or board resets. On most models, performing a factory reset clears the counter:

1. Unplug for 5 minutes
2. Plug in and immediately hold the Time + Dry Level buttons for 3 seconds (model-dependent)
3. The display flashes and resets

If Et still appears after every cycle, the board's non-volatile memory chip may have a corrupted sector — a nuisance but not a functional problem. The dryer operates normally otherwise.

Et vs. d80/d90/d95: The Difference Between Reminder and Warning

Et is a time-based reminder to clean the lint screen. d80/d90/d95 are actual airflow measurements detecting reduced exhaust performance. If your Samsung dryer shows d80, d90, or d95, those indicate real vent restriction — not a reminder. The response is different: Et requires cleaning the lint screen (the mesh filter you pull out of the door or top). d80/d90/d95 require cleaning the exhaust duct system behind and through the wall.

Samsung's Lint Screen Film Test

Samsung recommends this test for determining if your lint screen needs deep cleaning beyond surface lint removal: remove the lint screen and pour a small amount of water over the mesh. Water should flow through immediately. If water pools on the surface, dryer sheet residue has coated the mesh — scrub both sides with hot soapy water and a nylon brush. This invisible film blocks 25-50% of airflow while the screen looks clean to the eye.

Models That Display Et

Et appears on Samsung models with LED status displays: DVE45, DVE50, DVG45, DVG50, and the newer DVE53BB series. Models with full LCD or Smart Dial displays may show the message as "Clean Filter" in plain text instead of the Et code. The function is identical.

Et on Samsung Dryers With Smart Dial

The newer Samsung Bespoke dryers with the Smart Dial interface handle the lint reminder differently. Instead of displaying "Et" on a seven-segment LED, these models show a full-text notification on the LCD panel and may also push a notification through SmartThings to your phone. The function is identical — it is a maintenance reminder, not a fault code — but the presentation is more informative and less likely to be confused with an error.

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