ApplianceErrors.com

Samsung Washing Machine Error Code tE3

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

Condenser/steam temperature sensor error

The most common cause of the tE3 error on a Samsung washing machine is steam/condenser thermistor failed (~50% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$40 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $135+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Washing Machine error code tE3 on the display panel
How the tE3 code appears on a Samsung washing machine display

What Does Error Code tE3 Mean on a Samsung Washing Machine?

Condenser/steam temperature sensor error.

tE3 is the third thermistor fault in Samsung's tE family, monitoring the sensor on the condensing duct or steam-generator circuit. The control board reads the thermistor's resistance and flags tE3 when the value falls outside the expected range—open, shorted, or drifting—typically from a failed sensor, loose harness, or scale buildup. Steam and drying functions are halted to prevent overheating. Unlike tE1 and tE2, which watch the main wash-water thermistors, tE3 is specific to the steam/condenser sensor.

Models affected: Steam-equipped and washer/dryer combo models with a condensing duct or steam generator, such as the WF50BG8300AV and WV60M9900AV
What owners report: Owners commonly report tE3 appearing when starting a steam or dry cycle rather than a plain wash, and a simple power cycle sometimes clears a transient trigger. Reseating or cleaning scale off the sensor often resolves it, though a failed thermistor is the most frequent underlying cause.

What Causes Error Code tE3?

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

  1. 1
    Steam/condenser thermistor failed 50% of cases
  2. 2
    Loose or corroded harness connection 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Scale buildup on the steam generator sensor 15% of cases
  4. 4
    Board input fault 10% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Washing Machine Error Code tE3

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

    Power cycle

    Unplug for 5 minutes and rerun the cycle to rule out a transient fault.

  2. 2

    Reseat the sensor connector

    Access the steam generator/condenser area and reseat the thermistor plug; clean any scale or lint off the sensor body.

    ⚠️ Unplug the washer before opening the cabinet.
  3. 3

    Replace the thermistor

    Test resistance and replace if open/shorted; sensors are inexpensive and usually two screws plus a plug.

    🔩 Samsung thermistor ($15–$35)

How to Reset Error Code tE3

Unplug for 5 minutes, then restart. Avoid steam cycles until the sensor is fixed.

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 →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If steam cycles keep faulting after sensor replacement, the steam generator itself needs professional service.

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

Related Error Codes

tE1
Water temperature sensor (thermistor) error — heater thermistor out of range
⚠ Medium Severity
tE2
Duct/outlet temperature sensor error (washer-dryer combo models)
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code tE3 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows tE3 →

LG logo
LG Dryer tE3
Thermistor error — drying temperature sensor 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 HE Water heater error — water not heating to target temperature

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Washing Machine when error tE3 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the temperature issue behind tE3 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes tE3 on a Samsung Washing Machine? +
Across reported Samsung washing machine repairs, the most frequent is steam/condenser thermistor failed (50% of cases), loose or corroded harness connection (25%), then scale buildup on the steam generator sensor (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
tE3 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored tE3 fault; if it returns, the temperature problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then reseat the sensor connector — 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 tE3? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$40 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 tE3? +
tE3 is documented on Steam-equipped and washer/dryer combo models with a condensing duct or steam generator, such as the WF50BG8300AV and WV60M9900AV. 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.

← All Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes ← All Samsung Error Codes