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Samsung Dryer Error Code tO

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 11, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧 Easy DIY

Thermistor open circuit — temperature sensor disconnected or failed open

The most common cause of the tO error on a Samsung dryer is failed (open) thermistor (~55% of cases); start with: reseat the connector.

💰 DIY cost: $10–$25 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $130–$250 Save $120+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Dryer error code tO on the display panel
How the tO code appears on a Samsung dryer display

What Does Error Code tO Mean on a Samsung Dryer?

Thermistor open circuit — temperature sensor disconnected or failed open.

The tO code fires when the control board reads an open (infinite-resistance) circuit on the exhaust thermistor, meaning no sensor is detected at all. Because the board can't confirm a safe drum temperature, it disables the heating element or gas valve. This differs from tS, which reports a shorted sensor, and from tE, an over-temperature condition. The most common triggers are a failed-open thermistor, an unseated connector, or a broken harness wire between the sensor and board.

Models affected: Samsung electric and gas dryers using an exhaust thermistor for temperature control, spanning most modern top-brand lines; the tO code is not tied to a single model number.
What owners report: Owners commonly report tO appearing right after a prior repair or after the dryer has been moved, since vibration can back a connector loose. Many find the quick win is simply reseating the thermistor plug before buying parts.

What Causes Error Code tO?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Failed (open) thermistor 55% of cases
  2. 2
    Connector unplugged or backed-out pin 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Broken harness wire 15% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Dryer Error Code tO

🔧 Easy DIY Est. time: 10–20 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Reseat the connector

    Unplug the dryer, open the access panel, and firmly reseat the thermistor connector — vibration works them loose, especially after a prior repair.

  2. 2

    Test the thermistor

    Measure across the sensor: ~10kΩ at room temperature is healthy; an open (OL) reading confirms replacement.

  3. 3

    Replace the thermistor

    Swap the sensor on the heater/blower housing.

    🔩 Samsung dryer thermistor ($10–$25)
    ⚠️ Unplug the dryer before removing panels.

How to Reset Error Code tO

Reseat or replace the sensor, then power the dryer and run a short heated cycle to confirm the code is gone.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full Samsung dryer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the sensor and harness both meter fine but tO persists, the main board's sensor input circuit is suspect.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $130–$250

Related Error Codes

tS
Thermistor short circuit — temperature sensor reading too low resistance
⚠ Medium Severity
tE
Thermistor (temperature sensor) failure
⚠ Medium Severity
HE
Heater fault — drum not heating or overheating
⚠ High Severity

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Samsung Dryer:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Samsung Dryer repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Samsung Dryer Error Codes

OD Vent blockage detected bE2 Button error — a control-panel key is stuck 9C1 Power supply error — abnormal/low line voltage 9E1 Line voltage abnormality — supply voltage out of range AC Communication error — main and sub control boards not communicating FE Frequency error — abnormal power supply frequency

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Dryer when error tO appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind tO will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes tO on a Samsung Dryer? +
Across reported Samsung dryer repairs, the most frequent is failed (open) thermistor (55% of cases), connector unplugged or backed-out pin (30%), then broken harness wire (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
tO keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored tO fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — reseat the connector, then test the thermistor — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a beginner-friendly job needing only basic hand tools.
How much does it cost to fix Samsung Dryer error tO? +
A DIY repair typically runs $10–$25 in parts, versus $130–$250 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $120. Expect the work to take about 10–20 minutes.
Which Samsung Dryer models show error tO? +
tO is documented on Samsung electric and gas dryers using an exhaust thermistor for temperature control, spanning most modern top-brand lines; the tO code is not tied to a single model number.. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 11, 2026.

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