What to check, in order
- Open the covers
Press the outer cover to open it, unlock the levers and take out the inner cover.
- Brush the heat exchanger
Use the cleaning brush that came with the dryer, moving it up and down. Don't use water, and don't touch it with bare hands.
- Go easy on the fins
Don't bend or damage the thin fins. Samsung warns this is easy to do with a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment, and damaged fins can make drying slower.
- Wipe and refit
Wipe the inner cover with a damp cloth, put it back and lock the levers, then close the outer cover.
When to call an engineer
Only if the reminder won't clear after a thorough clean. Samsung says to contact its service centre.
Good to know
- Samsung recommends cleaning the heat exchanger every 25 cycles, or at least once a month. Depending on the model, the reminder may be a Filter light or a red Heat Exchanger Filter Clean light instead of a code.
Quick answers
What does the Samsung FIL tEr error code mean?
It's a reminder, not a fault: the heat exchanger needs cleaning. A buzzer may sound with it until it's done.
Can I fix Samsung FIL tEr myself?
Very easy (about 15 minutes). Start with: open the covers; brush the heat exchanger; go easy on the fins. Only if the reminder won't clear after a thorough clean. Samsung says to contact its service centre.
Is Samsung FIL tEr worth repairing?
Not a fault. It's routine maintenance, not a repair.
Checked against
- Samsung UK: tumble dryer information codes
- Samsung UK: how to clean the heat exchanger on a dryer
- Samsung Australia: dryer information codes
Last reviewed October 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word. Spotted a mistake? Email contact@appliance-error-codes.com.