Seeing HE or HE1 on your Samsung dishwasher display? The HE error code on Samsung dishwashers indicates a heater fault — the machine has detected that the water is not heating to the required temperature. This means your dishes are being washed in cold or lukewarm water, which affects cleaning and sanitisation. Here is what causes it and what you can do.
Book a Samsung dishwasher repair online or call (07) 3062 2377.
What the Samsung HE Error Code Means
The HE code is triggered when the dishwasher’s control board detects that the heating element is not raising the water temperature as expected. On some Samsung models, you may see HE1 instead — this is the same fault. The dishwasher may stop mid-cycle, complete the cycle with cold water, or refuse to start at all depending on the model and which cycle you have selected.
Quick Checks You Can Do
Try a Power Reset
Turn the dishwasher off at the wall, wait two minutes, and turn it back on. Select a normal wash cycle and start it. If the HE code was caused by a temporary sensor glitch — perhaps from a power fluctuation — a reset may clear it. If the code returns during the cycle, the problem is a genuine hardware fault.
Check the Hot Water Supply
Some Samsung dishwashers connect to a hot water line rather than heating cold water internally. If yours is connected to hot water, check that the hot water supply to the dishwasher is turned on and that your hot water system is working. Run the kitchen hot tap — if you are not getting hot water at the sink either, the problem is with your hot water system, not the dishwasher.
Check for a Blocked Filter
A severely blocked filter can restrict water flow around the heating element, causing it to overheat and trip a safety cutout. Clean the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, then restart and see if the HE code clears.
Common Causes That Need a Technician
Faulty Heating Element
The heating element sits at the bottom of the dishwasher tub and heats the water during the wash and rinse cycles. Over time, the element can burn out, develop a break in the circuit, or short to earth. A technician can test the element with a multimeter and replace it if needed.
Faulty Temperature Sensor (Thermistor)
The thermistor monitors the water temperature and tells the control board when the water has reached the target temperature. If the thermistor is faulty, it may be sending incorrect readings — telling the board that the water is cold when it is actually hot, or vice versa. This needs testing and replacement by a technician.
Wiring or Connection Fault
The wiring between the heating element, thermistor, and control board can develop loose connections or corrosion over time — particularly in the humid environment inside a dishwasher. A technician can inspect the wiring harness and repair or replace damaged connections.
Control Board Fault
If the heating element and thermistor both test fine, the control board itself may be faulty. The board controls when the heater activates and for how long. A damaged board may not send power to the element at all. This is less common but does occur, particularly after electrical surges.
Can You Still Use the Dishwasher With an HE Error?
Technically, the dishwasher may still complete some cycles with cold water. However, cold water does not dissolve detergent effectively, does not cut grease, and does not sanitise — you will get poorly cleaned dishes and potential hygiene issues. We recommend getting it repaired rather than running it in this state.
Book a Samsung Dishwasher Repair
We repair all Samsung dishwasher models across Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Northern Gold Coast. Our technicians carry common Samsung parts including heating elements and thermistors, so many repairs can be completed in a single visit.
Our standard callout fee is $219, which includes the first 30 minutes of labour. Additional time is charged at $45 per 15-minute block. Parts are quoted separately. We offer a $20 discount for seniors, pensioners, and students. All prices are estimates only.
Ready to book? Book online or call (07) 3062 2377.