Samsung Dryer Not Heating: Causes and Fixes

When a Samsung dryer runs but stays cold, the cause is often something you can check in a few minutes: Eco Dry lowering the heat, one half of a tripped breaker, or a clogged lint filter or vent. If the dryer has power, the vent is clear and there is still no heat at all, a part has likely failed and the dryer needs a technician.

Start by sorting out which problem you have. Samsung's support guide suggests setting the dryer to Time Dry with Eco Dry turned off, running it for about 30 seconds, then opening the door and feeling inside. Some warmth means the dryer heats but not well enough. No warmth at all points to a power, gas or parts problem. For the general version of this problem on any brand, see our guide to a dryer not heating.

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Safety first

• Unplug an electric dryer, or turn off its breaker, before you pull it away from the wall or touch the vent connection.
• Gas dryer: if you smell gas, do not touch light switches or use your phone indoors. Leave the house, then call 911 and your gas utility once you are a safe distance away.
• Do not open the cabinet or test electrical parts unless you are trained to. Electric dryers run on 240 volts.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Look for a code on the display

Samsung dryers show codes when they detect a problem. HC or hE (and similar codes) mean the dryer sensed overheating, and tS, tE or tC codes point to a temperature sensor issue. On gas models, HC2 is a gas ignition error. Our Samsung dryer error codes guide explains what each group means.

2. Turn off Eco Dry

Samsung notes that Eco Dry lowers heat to save energy and can switch on automatically for Normal or Time Dry cycles. It can also run the start of a cycle without heat, which can look like a fault.

3. Reset the breaker

An electric dryer is fed by two circuits, and only one may trip. When that happens the drum can still turn while the heater gets no power. Samsung suggests turning the breaker fully off for 30 seconds, then back on.

4. Check the installation

Electric models need a 240V outlet and a properly installed power cord. Gas models need the gas line connected and the supply valve open. If the dryer never heated since it was installed or moved, the hookup is the first suspect. Gas hookups should be handled by a qualified installer; our gas dryer repair directory lists companies that work on them.

5. Clean the lint filter and run the vent blockage test

Many Samsung dryers have a built-in vent blockage test you start with the drum empty and cool. A result of 0 or End means no clog was detected. Clg, Cg, C80 or C90 means the vent is partly or badly blocked. Clean the lint filter, then clean the exhaust vent all the way to the outside hood.

Samsung's venting guidance calls for rigid metal duct rather than plastic or foil, sealed joints, no kinks or crushed sections, and a run within the maximum length for your model. Each 90-degree turn cuts the allowed length by 6 feet. The U.S. Fire Administration also recommends cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and checking that the outdoor vent flap opens while the dryer runs. Our page on a clogged dryer vent covers the warning signs.

Parts that commonly fail

If the vent test passes and the dryer has proper power or gas but still makes no heat, Samsung's guide says to request service. A technician will usually test these parts:

A thermal fuse that has blown once will usually blow again unless the airflow problem behind it is fixed. Our dryer thermal fuse guide explains why. For gas models, see gas dryer not heating for more on the burner parts.

When to stop and call a pro

• The breaker, settings and vent all check out, but the dryer still makes no heat.
• An HC, tS, tE or HC2 type code keeps coming back after you clean the lint filter and vent.
• You smell burning, see scorch marks, or the outside of the cabinet gets very hot.
• You have a gas dryer and the problem may involve the burner or gas valve.

You can find local technicians in our Samsung dryer repair directory, including pages for cities like Houston and Atlanta. If your dryer is still under manufacturer coverage, check that first before paying for a repair.

What a no-heat repair costs

Fixr puts a typical dryer repair at $100 to $200, with heating element replacement at $150 to $350 and gas igniter replacement at $100 to $250. Fixr lists a diagnostic visit at $50 to $80. Angi lists the part alone for a thermal fuse at $5 to $18 and for a thermostat at $15 to $60, with labor on top. Our dryer repair cost guide breaks down other common repairs.

Clearing a blocked vent costs far less than a new heating element, and it fixes the cause behind many repeat failures. If the vent was the problem, keep it clean going forward so the replacement part lasts.