Error code reference

Samsung Dryer Error Codes: What They Mean and What to Do

When your Samsung dryer shows a code, it is pointing at the part of the cycle that failed. This page lists the 19 codes we could confirm in Samsung's own owner's manuals and support articles: what each one means, the checks that are safe to do yourself, and the point where a technician should take over.

Compiled by the Appliance Surgeon team from Samsung documentation · Last checked October 5, 2026

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At a glance

Samsung dryer codes and what to do

Covers Samsung US electric and gas dryers (DV/DVE/DVG series, including models paired with washers). Codes are shared across electric and gas models except HC2 (gas ignition); Vent Blockage test codes appear only on models with that test.

Digital-display models show the code as text (an upside-down F should be read as a t); models without a display blink option or time lights instead. Samsung's reset is to power the dryer off for about 60 seconds (communication codes) or 2-3 minutes (other codes) and restart; never cut power while dn is showing.

Code	Meaning	What to do
dC	Door is open or not detected as closed	Usually a quick fix
dF	Door switch fault	Needs a technician
tC	Temperature sensor problem, often caused by restricted airflow	Check, then call if it returns
tC5	Second temperature sensor problem, often from restricted airflow	Check, then call if it returns
HC	Dryer is overheating	Stop using it
HC2	Gas ignition problem	Check, then call if it returns
9C1	Abnormal supply voltage detected	Check, then call if it returns
AC	Internal parts are not communicating	Needs a technician
FC	Power source frequency is invalid	Check, then call if it returns
bE	A panel button is stuck or seen as held down	Check, then call if it returns
3C	Motor or main control problem	Needs a technician
oD	Dry time error reported by the control	Needs a technician
Clg	Vent Blockage test: exhaust vent is clogged	Check, then call if it returns
C80	Vent Blockage test: vent about 80% blocked	Check, then call if it returns
C90	Vent Blockage test: vent more than 90% blocked	Check, then call if it returns
C1	Vent Blockage test found laundry in the drum	Usually a quick fix
Ct	Vent Blockage test: room temperature out of range	Usually a quick fix
dn	Firmware update is downloading	Usually a quick fix
CL	Child Lock is on	Usually a quick fix

Safety first. Switch the appliance off at its power button and unplug it or turn off the breaker before you clean a filter or check a hose. If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas utility from outside. If there is a burning smell, smoke, sparking or water near wiring, stop using it and keep it off until it has been checked.

Code by code

What each Samsung dryer code means

dCDoor is open or not detected as closed

Usually a quick fix

Also shown as or same meaning as: dE, do, d0, 1 dC

What you can safely check

Remove any laundry caught in the door
Close the door firmly until it latches, then restart

Call a technician if: Door or latch is damaged, or the code persists

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

dFDoor switch fault

Needs a technician

Also shown as or same meaning as: 1 dF

What you can safely check

Close the door firmly and try one restart

Call a technician if: Code returns

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

tCTemperature sensor problem, often caused by restricted airflow

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: tE, tS, t5, tO, t0, tE3, 1 tC

Common causes

Full lint screen
Clogged or crushed exhaust vent
Temperature sensor fault

What you can safely check

Clean the lint screen
Check the outside vent hood flap opens freely and isn't blocked
Make sure the vent duct behind the dryer isn't crushed or kinked
If the vent run is clogged, have it professionally cleaned

Call a technician if: Code returns with a clean lint screen and clear vent

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

tC5Second temperature sensor problem, often from restricted airflow

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: tCS, 1tC5, 1tCS

Common causes

Full lint screen
Clogged or crushed exhaust vent
Temperature sensor fault

What you can safely check

Clean the lint screen
Check the outside vent hood flap opens freely and isn't blocked
Make sure the vent duct behind the dryer isn't crushed or kinked
If the vent run is clogged, have it professionally cleaned

Call a technician if: Code returns with a clean lint screen and clear vent

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

HCDryer is overheating

Stop using it

Also shown as or same meaning as: hE, HC4, 1 HC

Common causes

Clogged lint screen
Blocked or crushed exhaust vent
Low supply voltage (electric models)

What you can safely check

Stop the cycle and let the dryer cool
Clean the lint screen
Check the outside vent hood flap opens freely and isn't blocked
Electric models: have an electrician check for low household voltage

Call a technician if: Code returns with a clean lint screen and clear vent

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

HC2Gas ignition problem

Check, then call if it returns

Applies to: Gas dryers

Common causes

Gas supply valve closed
Gas service interruption
Ignition part fault

What you can safely check

Check the gas shutoff valve to the dryer is fully open
Turn the dryer off for 2-3 minutes, then restart the cycle

Call a technician if: Code returns or there's still no heat; if you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility

Source: [1]

9C1Abnormal supply voltage detected

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: 9E, 9E1, 2E

Common causes

Extension cord or shared circuit
Household voltage problem

What you can safely check

Plug the dryer directly into its outlet, with no extension cord
Check the house breaker for the dryer and reset it if tripped

Call a technician if: Code continues

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

ACInternal parts are not communicating

Needs a technician

Also shown as or same meaning as: AE, Et, EEE, AE3, AE4, AE5, E3, 1 AC

What you can safely check

Turn the dryer off for 60 seconds, then back on

Call a technician if: Code remains after the restart

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]

FCPower source frequency is invalid

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: FE, 1 FC

What you can safely check

Restart the cycle

Call a technician if: Code remains after restarting

Source: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

bEA panel button is stuck or seen as held down

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: bE2, bC2, 6E, 6E2, 6C2

What you can safely check

Turn the dryer off
Press and release each button, working around its edges

Call a technician if: A button is damaged or the code returns

Source: [1], [4], [5]

3CMotor or main control problem

Needs a technician

Applies to: Samsung's article calls it a motor error; some manuals say control board check

What you can safely check

Turn the dryer off for 2-3 minutes, then restart once

Call a technician if: Code returns after a restart

Source: [1], [3]

oDDry time error reported by the control

Needs a technician

What you can safely check

Turn the dryer off for 2-3 minutes, then restart the cycle

Call a technician if: Code returns

Source: [1]

ClgVent Blockage test: exhaust vent is clogged

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: Cl9, Cg

What you can safely check

Clean the lint screen
Have the exhaust vent cleaned, then rerun the test
Avoid heated cycles until the vent is cleared

Call a technician if: Test still reports a clog after cleaning

Source: [1], [4]

C80Vent Blockage test: vent about 80% blocked

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: C8o, C8

What you can safely check

Clean the lint screen
Have the exhaust vent cleaned, then rerun the test

Call a technician if: Test still reports blockage after cleaning

Source: [1], [4]

C90Vent Blockage test: vent more than 90% blocked

Check, then call if it returns

Also shown as or same meaning as: C9o, C9

What you can safely check

Clean the lint screen
Have the exhaust vent cleaned, then rerun the test
Avoid heated cycles until the vent is cleared

Call a technician if: Test still reports blockage after cleaning

Source: [1], [4]

C1Vent Blockage test found laundry in the drum

Usually a quick fix

Also shown as or same meaning as: CL1

What you can safely check

Empty the drum and run the test again

Call a technician if: Code appears with an empty drum

Source: [1], [4]

CtVent Blockage test: room temperature out of range

Usually a quick fix

Common causes

Below freezing or above about 104°F around the dryer

What you can safely check

Let the dryer sit at normal room temperature for an hour, then retest

Call a technician if: Error continues at normal room temperature

Source: [1], [4]

dnFirmware update is downloading

Usually a quick fix

What you can safely check

Don't unplug or switch off the dryer while dn shows
Wait; the dryer restarts itself when the update finishes

Call a technician if: dn still showing after 24 hours

Source: [1], [4]

CLChild Lock is on

Usually a quick fix

What you can safely check

Turn off Child Lock using the button method in your manual

Call a technician if: Not needed

Source: [1]

Still showing the code?

When to call a technician

If a code comes back after the safe checks, or the table says it needs a technician, the fault is usually a sensor, valve, pump, motor or control board, and diagnosing it means opening the dryer. Our technicians repair Samsung appliances across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, seven days a week until 10 PM. Tell us the code when you book and we bring the parts that code usually points to.

Book Samsung dryer repair $75 diagnostic, credited toward the repair.

Related help

More Samsung error codes

Other brands

Sources

Where these meanings come from

Every code on this page was checked against Samsung's own documentation: owner's manuals, use and care guides, support articles or Samsung technical sheets. Codes we could only find on third-party sites are left out. Meanings are paraphrased; your model's manual is the final word.

Samsung dryer displays an error code — Samsung Electronics America. www.samsung.com
Samsung Dryer User Manual, DV50K7500E / DV45K6500E / DV45K6200E (DC68-03381C-01) — Samsung Electronics (manufacturer PDF; copy hosted by Build.com). s2.img-b.com
Samsung Dryer User Manual, DVE45T3200 series (DC68-03784N-00), Information codes page — Samsung Electronics (manufacturer manual; copy hosted by ManualsLib). www.manualslib.com
Common Samsung dryer error codes and their meaning (Samsung Canada; North American models) — Samsung Electronics Canada. www.samsung.com
Blinking lights on Samsung dryer — Samsung Electronics America. www.samsung.com

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