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Samsung Washing Machine Error Code tE

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Temperature sensor (thermistor) fault

The most common cause of the tE error on a Samsung washing machine is faulty or disconnected NTC thermistor (~65% of cases); start with: check thermistor wiring connector.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$35 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $135+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code tE on the display panel
How the tE code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

What Does Error Code tE Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?

Temperature sensor (thermistor) fault.

The control board monitors resistance across the NTC thermistor mounted near the heater assembly. tE fires when that resistance falls outside the expected window—effectively an open or short—so the board reads an implausible water temperature. Because it cannot safely command the heater without a trustworthy reading, it halts the cycle. This is distinct from HE, which flags an actual heating failure or over-temperature condition rather than the sensor signal itself being invalid.

Models affected: Samsung washers with a water-heating circuit, including many front-load and select top-load models; the heater-mounted thermistor and tE logic are shared across the range roughly 2013 onward
What owners report: Owners commonly report tE appearing at the start of a heated wash or sanitize cycle rather than on cold rinses. A loose or corroded connector is a frequent false trigger, and many find that simply reseating the thermistor harness after unplugging clears the code without any part replacement.

What Causes Error Code tE?

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

  1. 1
    Faulty or disconnected NTC thermistor 65% of cases
  2. 2
    Wiring harness connector loose at thermistor 20% of cases
  3. 3
    Short circuit in temperature sensor wiring 15% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code tE

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Check thermistor wiring connector

    Locate the thermistor (usually mounted on the heater assembly inside the tub). Check that the wiring connector is firmly seated.

    ⚠️ Unplug the washer first.
  2. 2

    Test thermistor resistance

    At room temperature (~68°F/20°C), a healthy Samsung thermistor should read approximately 6,000–7,000 ohms. A reading of 0 or infinite indicates failure.

    🔩 Multimeter
  3. 3

    Replace the thermistor

    Thermistors are inexpensive and easy to replace. Disconnect the connector, unscrew the sensor, and install the new one.

    🔩 Samsung NTC thermistor ($15–$35)

How to Reset Error Code tE

After replacing the thermistor or reseating the connector, unplug the washer for 1 minute, then restart to clear the error.

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

Full Samsung washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

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When to Call a Professional

If thermistor tests good and connector is secure but the error persists, the main control board may have failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$280

Related Error Codes

HE
Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature
⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code tE appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows tE →

LG logo
LG Dishwasher tE
Temperature sensor failure
LG logo
LG Washing Machine tE
Thermistor error — water temperature sensor reading out of range

Find Replacement Parts

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

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

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

More Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes

4C Water supply not detected UE Unbalanced load detected OE Drain failure — water not draining LE Motor locked — drum cannot rotate DE Door not properly closed or door lock failure SUD Excessive suds detected

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error tE appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind tE will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes tE on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is faulty or disconnected NTC thermistor (65% of cases), wiring harness connector loose at thermistor (20%), then short circuit in temperature sensor wiring (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
tE keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored tE fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check thermistor wiring connector, then test thermistor resistance — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix Samsung Washing Machine error tE? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$35 in parts, versus $150–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $135. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Samsung Washing Machine models show error tE? +
tE is documented on Samsung washers with a water-heating circuit, including many front-load and select top-load models; the heater-mounted thermistor and tE logic are shared across the range roughly 2013 onward. 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 10, 2026.

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