What causes Samsung Dryer HC / hE?

A lint screen packed with lint, which Samsung names as the most common cause. A clogged, crushed or kinked exhaust vent or duct, or a blocked outside vent hood, so hot air can't escape. Low supply voltage on an electric dryer, which can keep the heater from working properly (Samsung says to have an electrician check it). A tripped circuit breaker or a loose power cord connection. Running the vent test with clothes still in the drum or before the drum has cooled. A failed heating or temperature-sensing part, if HC keeps coming back after the lint screen and vent are clean.

How do I fix Samsung Dryer HC / hE?

Turn the dryer off and let it cool. Then pull out the lint screen and clean it fully. If it looks clogged or waxy from dryer sheets, wash it with warm soapy water and let it dry before putting it back. Check the exhaust duct behind the dryer. Straighten any kinks or crushed sections and make sure the dryer isn't pushed back so far that it pinches the duct. Go outside and check the vent hood. The flap should open freely when the dryer runs, with a strong flow of air. Clear out any lint, nests or debris. Clean the full length of the vent duct if it hasn't been done in a while. A vent cleaning brush kit reaches most runs; long or rooftop vents may need a vent cleaning service. Run Samsung's vent blockage test with the drum empty and cool. On many models you press Adjust Time Up and Dry Level together until In or Ins shows, then hold Start/Pause; other models use Cycle 1 plus Wrinkle Prevent, or Air Fluff plus Wrinkle Prevent. Keep the door shut until it finishes. A 0 or End result means the vent is clear; CLg, Cg, C80 or C90 means it's still clogged. If the test shows HC, check that the power cord is fully plugged in and that nothing is in the drum, then run it again, as Samsung advises. Check your home's breaker panel. Electric dryers use a double breaker; if it's tripped, reset it once. Power the dryer off for 2 to 3 minutes, turn it back on, and start a cycle to see whether HC returns.

When should I call a pro for Samsung Dryer HC / hE?

HC keeps coming back even though the lint screen and vent are clean and the vent test passes. Samsung says to request service at that point. You suspect low voltage on an electric dryer. Samsung recommends having an electrician check the supply voltage. The breaker trips again after you reset it, or you smell burning. Stop using the dryer. Checking the wiring at the heating element. Samsung's UK and Australia guides say that step needs a licensed electrician. Your vent is long, runs through the roof, or you can't reach the whole run. A dryer vent cleaning service can clear it safely.

Code: HC / hE🌀 Samsung Dryer

Samsung Dryer Error Code HC (hE): Dryer Is Overheating (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does Samsung Dryer HC / hE mean?

HC on a Samsung dryer is a heating error: the dryer has sensed it's getting too hot. Samsung says the most common cause is a clogged lint screen or a blocked vent trapping heat inside. Clean the lint screen and the vent, run Samsung's vent test, and call for service only if HC keeps coming back with a clean vent. Samsung groups HC, hE, HC4 and 1 HC together as heating errors and says they mean the dryer is getting too hot. Hot, moist air has to leave through the lint screen and the exhaust vent, so when either is clogged the heat builds up inside and the dryer stops heating and shows HC. Samsung notes that in some cases the same error can come up when the heater is not getting hot enough, which on electric dryers can be caused by low supply voltage. On Samsung's built-in vent blockage test, an HC result means an abnormal temperature was detected during the test. On Samsung heat-pump dryers sold in the UK and Australia, HC or HE is described as compressor overheating or a high-temperature heating check. HC is not the same as HC2, which Samsung lists as a gas ignition error on gas dryers.

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Based on 5 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

Samsung groups HC, hE, HC4 and 1 HC together as heating errors and says they mean the dryer is getting too hot. Hot, moist air has to leave through the lint screen and the exhaust vent, so when either is clogged the heat builds up inside and the dryer stops heating and shows HC. Samsung notes that in some cases the same error can come up when the heater is not getting hot enough, which on electric dryers can be caused by low supply voltage. On Samsung's built-in vent blockage test, an HC result means an abnormal temperature was detected during the test. On Samsung heat-pump dryers sold in the UK and Australia, HC or HE is described as compressor overheating or a high-temperature heating check. HC is not the same as HC2, which Samsung lists as a gas ignition error on gas dryers.

Likely causes

A lint screen packed with lint, which Samsung names as the most common cause
A clogged, crushed or kinked exhaust vent or duct, or a blocked outside vent hood, so hot air can't escape
Low supply voltage on an electric dryer, which can keep the heater from working properly (Samsung says to have an electrician check it)
A tripped circuit breaker or a loose power cord connection
Running the vent test with clothes still in the drum or before the drum has cooled
A failed heating or temperature-sensing part, if HC keeps coming back after the lint screen and vent are clean

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before opening panels.

Turn the dryer off and let it cool. Then pull out the lint screen and clean it fully. If it looks clogged or waxy from dryer sheets, wash it with warm soapy water and let it dry before putting it back.
Check the exhaust duct behind the dryer. Straighten any kinks or crushed sections and make sure the dryer isn't pushed back so far that it pinches the duct.
Go outside and check the vent hood. The flap should open freely when the dryer runs, with a strong flow of air. Clear out any lint, nests or debris.
Clean the full length of the vent duct if it hasn't been done in a while. A vent cleaning brush kit reaches most runs; long or rooftop vents may need a vent cleaning service.
Run Samsung's vent blockage test with the drum empty and cool. On many models you press Adjust Time Up and Dry Level together until In or Ins shows, then hold Start/Pause; other models use Cycle 1 plus Wrinkle Prevent, or Air Fluff plus Wrinkle Prevent. Keep the door shut until it finishes. A 0 or End result means the vent is clear; CLg, Cg, C80 or C90 means it's still clogged.
If the test shows HC, check that the power cord is fully plugged in and that nothing is in the drum, then run it again, as Samsung advises.
Check your home's breaker panel. Electric dryers use a double breaker; if it's tripped, reset it once.
Power the dryer off for 2 to 3 minutes, turn it back on, and start a cycle to see whether HC returns.

🛠 When to call a pro

HC keeps coming back even though the lint screen and vent are clean and the vent test passes. Samsung says to request service at that point.
You suspect low voltage on an electric dryer. Samsung recommends having an electrician check the supply voltage.
The breaker trips again after you reset it, or you smell burning. Stop using the dryer.
Checking the wiring at the heating element. Samsung's UK and Australia guides say that step needs a licensed electrician.
Your vent is long, runs through the roof, or you can't reach the whole run. A dryer vent cleaning service can clear it safely.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Dryer vent cleaning brush kit

Flexible rods with a brush head for clearing lint from the full length of the exhaust duct.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_VENT_BRUSH_KIT]

⚙

Semi-rigid aluminum dryer duct

Replaces crushed or kinked foil or plastic duct behind the dryer so air flows freely. Check your dryer's manual for allowed vent length.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_DRYER_DUCT]

⚙

Replacement lint filter

Only if yours is torn. Match the part to your dryer's model number.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_LINT_FILTER]

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

Samsung Dryer Error Code HC (hE): Dryer Is Overheating (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Dryer vent cleaning brush kit

Semi-rigid aluminum dryer duct

Replacement lint filter

Related codes

Sources