What is the Samsung Washer tE error?#
A tE code on your Samsung washer is a temperature-sensor fault — the thermistor that reports water temperature has gone out of range, so the control board no longer trusts it. The machine may refuse to start, stop shortly after starting, or run extended cycles as it waits for a temperature reading that never makes sense. Nothing here threatens your home; it is a machine that will not cooperate. As with any sensor code, a five-minute power cycle is the first thing I try to rule out a transient glitch.
tE on a Samsung Washer: likely causes and repair cost#
On a Samsung Washer, the tE code signals: temperature sensor error.
| Likely cause | Typical likelihood |
|---|---|
| Thermistor failure | Most common |
| Wiring issue | Common |
Typical professional repair: $125–$275 · Difficulty: hard · usually a technician job
Symptoms that often accompany tE: Washer will not start or stops shortly after starting; Water temperature incorrect for selected cycle; Extended cycle times as the machine waits for a temperature it cannot read
Technician diagnostic sequence for tE:
- Unplug the washer and access the thermistor — it is typically mounted in the outer tub near the heater element (front-load) or at the base of the inner tub (top-load)
- Disconnect the thermistor wiring connector and test resistance: at room temperature (77 °F / 25 °C), a Samsung washer thermistor should read approximately 10-12 k-ohm
- If the reading is open (OL) or near zero, the thermistor has failed. Replace it — it usually slides or clips into a rubber grommet on the tub
- Check the wiring between the thermistor and the main board. Sub-codes: tE1 = washer thermistor circuit open; tE2 = heater thermistor circuit; tE3 = duct sensor (steam models)
Parts a technician may check or replace: Samsung DC32-00007A; Samsung DC47-00019A
Field note: Samsung washer thermistors are NTC (negative temperature coefficient) — resistance decreases as temperature rises. A reading of 50+ k-ohm at room temperature means the sensor is going open and will fail completely soon. Replace proactively.
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How to troubleshoot the tE error yourself#
The owner-safe steps on tE are limited but worth doing. Power-cycle the washer and start a cold cycle to see if the code was a one-off. Make sure the machine is not installed somewhere freezing, since extreme ambient temperatures can skew a thermistor reading. Beyond that, the table above points at a failed temperature sensor and its wiring, and diagnosing those is a "hard" repair: the thermistor is internal, and confirming it means resistance-testing with a meter. That is where I stop the DIY and bring in a technician, both to test the sensor properly and to avoid buying a part the machine did not need.
Is the Samsung Washer tE error worth fixing?#
tE is generally worth fixing on a washer with life left. The table above lists $125 to $275 to replace the temperature sensor and restore normal cycles — a contained, mid-range repair. Against a new machine that is a small share of the cost, so I fix it in most cases. Replacement only enters the picture on an old washer already showing other faults; a lone tE on a sound machine is comfortably worth the $125 to $275.
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Samsung Washer tE: frequently asked questions#
What does the tE error mean on a Samsung Washer?#
It means the water temperature sensor is out of range, so the washer cannot read temperature reliably. It may not start, stop early, or run long cycles.
Is it safe to keep using a Samsung Washer that shows the tE error?#
There is no hazard, but cycles may misbehave or refuse to run. It is fine to keep trying while you arrange a repair.
Can I clear the tE error myself, or do I need a technician?#
A power cycle can clear a transient glitch, but a genuinely failed temperature sensor needs a technician to test and replace.
How much does it cost to repair the tE error on a Samsung Washer?#
The table above lists $125 to $275 for diagnosis and replacement of the temperature sensor.
Which parts usually fail when a washer throws the tE code?#
The water temperature thermistor and its wiring, per the table above, with the sensor itself the leading cause.
Why does a thermistor failure trigger the tE error?#
When the thermistor drifts out of spec or opens, the board reads an impossible temperature and flags tE rather than run a cycle it cannot regulate.
Senior Gas Appliance Specialist · 18 years experience
AGA-certified gas appliance specialist with 18 years of experience in residential and commercial oven, range, and cooktop repairs.
