What it means
Samsung UK and Australia describe HC and HE as compressor overheating, or a high temperature heating check, and add a check of your home's circuit breakers.
What to check, in order
- Clean the lint filter
Take it out and clear all the lint.
- Clean the vent
Clear lint from the exhaust duct and the outside vent. If your model has a Vent Blockage test, it tells you how blocked it is: see CLg.
- Check the breakers
Look in your fuse box for a tripped breaker, and reset it if one has tripped.
- Electric dryer: have the supply checked
Samsung US suggests an electrician checks the voltage reaching the dryer. Samsung Australia adds a check of the heating element's wiring, which it says needs a licensed electrician.
When to call an engineer
If it keeps overheating with a clean filter and a clear vent. Samsung says to contact its service centre.
Good to know
- On US gas dryers, HC2 is a gas ignition error, not overheating. Samsung's general advice is to switch off for 2 to 3 minutes, restart the cycle and check your manual, then request service if it comes back. Don't attempt gas repairs yourself.
Parts people end up buying
Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label inside the door, around the door frame or on the back.
- Dryer vent cleaning kitSearch on Amazon
- Lint filterSearch on Amazon
Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a verdict.
Quick answers
What does the Samsung HC error code mean?
The dryer is getting too hot, so it has stopped. Samsung's first fixes are the lint filter and the vent. Samsung UK and Australia describe HC and HE as compressor overheating, or a high temperature heating check, and add a check of your home's circuit breakers.
Can I fix Samsung HC myself?
Easy (30 to 60 minutes). Start with: clean the lint filter; clean the vent; check the breakers. If it keeps overheating with a clean filter and a clear vent. Samsung says to contact its service centre.
Is Samsung HC worth repairing?
Deal with it now. An overheating dryer is a fire risk. The fix is often just cleaning, but don't keep drying until you've found the cause.
Checked against
- Samsung US: dryer error codes
- Samsung UK: tumble dryer information codes
- 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.