Error code HE2 on Samsung?

I had this problem on my Ecobubble washer dryer over the past week. The thermostat switch on top is connected to the Heater Element housing (hence error 'HE2' - Heater Element 2).

When it pops it means the housing has gotten too hot. This can happen because of several reasons:
1. Blockage preventing air flow / causing lack of air leading to over heating.
2. Fan not functioning - hence lack of air flow and over heating.
3. The water inlet valve to the lint catcher is not working (I could hear this was working on dryer cycles before the failure occurs so not too concerned about this). This could lead to a lint build up and air flow blockage.

I took apart the heater element housing (metal and black part on the top) which reveals the lint catcher on the back of the machine. This comes out very easily. It's mounted with two screws on the back. Work your way around and you'll see it's easy to disassemble.

I found that the fan sending hot air around the machine from bottom to top was clogged with lint. I removed it all with an old toothbrush and a small screwdriver.

Next, I took apart the lint catcher at the back of the machine. Simply pushing all the lint out is dangerous because it could get clogged elsewhere. Best to remove it and clean it.

Once the lint catcher was out I cleaned it out thoroughly and then replaced everything.

Remember to reset the thermostat switch and whilst you're at the back of the machine, get a torch and look for frayed, loose wiring towards the bottom of the drum. Mine was all OK.

Finally, open the front 'lint' catcher and clean that out. I found stickers, bits of lint, hair, string in there but it's not as effective as cleaning out the big catcher on the back of the machine.

My machine is three years old so I'm not surprised there was such a big build up of lint in the machine. I'll be cleaning this out more regularly now.

I agree with some of the comments here - don't just blindly reset the thermostat switch hoping it'll fix your problem (even some you tube vids show this). That is very foolish and you're asking for trouble.

If the thermostat switch trips then it has tripped for a good reason and you should investigate further before you have more serious problems i.e. fire hazard!!

I hope this helps someone out there!! :)

Jaimin
February 2018

Got the same error in my WM1245A
Opened cover and found that the 2 wires that goes to the heating element were broken due to vibrations.

Aganim
November 2017

This has happened a few times with mine, mainly on drying cycles.

First switch off at plug, then check and empty the lint catcher, front bottom right (put a tray underneath when you unscrew to catch any water that comes out); that's usually the culprit (bits of plastic are common).

Then reset the microswitch as others have described; top off, front right - mine was between the red wires.

Reassemble, switch back on and it works for me...

Russ
March 2017

Thanks Leighton, I have checked the solenoid on my machine and it is getting hot so is probably not working. How do you get to the plastic ducting to check for lint? I assume you got the replacement valve from Samsung. Thanks again for the great advice.

Paul
January 2017

I've found out the third inlet valve was for condensing, hence if it doesn't work then the thermostats pop.

I think just resetting the thermostats without checking airflow is a potential fire hazard...

Leighton
January 2017

I had this problem and have solved it. Initially the thermostat (under the top cover others have spoken about) that can't be reset failed and I replaced it, it worked!!! BUT only for a couple of days then the error came back, on opening the thermostat that can be reset had popped, I reset it and again it worked FOR A FEW DAYS. I then did some more digging and the root cause is a lack of airflow, the output ducting (white plastic) down the back of the machine from the dryer heating element was full of lint, stuck to the walls of the plastic ducting. On further investigation the three port inlet valve (blue where the water comes in to the machine) has one solenoid that allows water in to the outlet after the dryer heater. I'm no expert but I'm guessing this is there to flush the lint out of the duct and through the filter. That solenoid had failed allowing the lint to build up, blocking the airflow. Changed the three port valve and all has been good for weeks! Oh and I cleaned out all the lint that was stuck to the inside of the ducting (I used an old wire clothes hanger to push it out). Hope this helps!!!

Leighton
January 2017

The reset button gets my machine working again but it keeps happening. Maybe the component is faulty, has anyone replaced it? Think it is a thyristor with a reset button.

Paul
December 2016

Thanks so much Dean. Works perfectly now.

Paulmfergud
November 2016

This fixed my heating problems too :D so glad it was an easy fix

matt
August 2016

Thank you soo much Dean.. it worked for us too

Suthas
March 2016

Samsung washer dryer WD0804W8N with HE2 error when drying or using hot water cycle. Fixed it myself by pushing the reset button just as stated by other users. I only removed the top cover, found the small rest button between the 2 wires next to the PCC label.

Mark Adams
January 2016

Dean - thank you so much for the helpful tip below. I also had the same problem and following your instructions it was fixed within 20 mins.

Thank you for taking he trouble to share your knowledge.

Ems
December 2015

Thank you sooooooooooooooo much Dean Peterborough!!!!!!!! You were exactly right and now my machine works perfectly.

Susan
May 2015

Mine was also the reset button on top of the machine. There are two. One with red wires and one with black. Mine was the one with black.the button itself is quite small and not that obvious. It sticks up between the two electric terminals. Once I pressed it i felt it click back into place.
Most difficult part of the job was working out how to remove the lid. Just unscrew the 2 screws at the back end of the top plate and the lid just slides back
Remember to power it off before going anywhere near the electrics
Job done

Dean Peterborough
April 2015

On my Samsung washer/drier machine. There is a reset button you can press on top of machine under the cover. If you find the red wire coming from the top heater element and follow to the round connector marked PCC (one side) and PBR380 the other, there is a tiny switch that you can push in (it's a reset). It was discovered accident and the machine heats perfectly now. Saved a service call!

RAY AND JO
December 2014

I recently got a second-hand Samsung WF7708N6W1 washing machine. On each wash with warm water it would give a HE2 error about 3 minutes into the wash cycle. The reason was that the wire to the heater had become disconnected during transport. To fix it, I re-attached the heater wire connector to its pin. To access the cable and pin, I laid the washing machine on its side and removed the cardboard sheet covering the base. The wire was a small blue cable, which was tied to a larger yellow cable. The connector was a white case at the end of the blue wire, and slipped fairly easily back on to the nearby rectangular metal pin. The wire and pin were accessible from the bottom of the machine, without removing any panels, etc. No replacement parts were needed. Now the machine works fine. I'm reporting here in case anyone finds it helpful.

Thanks to earlier posters for the hints about the heater wire!

B0ris
November 2012

I just temporarily used cold water and changed the heating wire. Thanks for the tip dan and jonas

ravi
September 2012

Had the same problem on a Samsung J845. Error code HE2 was showing up when running any cycle that used hot water. In our case the wire to the heating element was burned off. On the J845 the heating element is situated on the front of the machine under the drum. Fiddly to get to, but I was able to get to it from the bottom and front of the machine. Replaced the wire and it worked.

Jonas
June 2012

My washing machine Samsung WF-J145NV1. And when subordinates plaut eg 1.30 an hour I wash only 10 to 15 minutes. and emit code HE2 What is the problem? Thank you

SAMSUNG PROBLEM !!!
March 2012

http://www.usadireito.com.br/como-resolver-erro-he2-samsung-wd8854/

Denis Ferreira Lourenço
March 2012

Confermo diagnosi, in caso di errore hE2 contatti resistenza bruciati, sost. terminale cavo alimentazione.

Pippo
October 2011

aver si saven ayudarme gracias

JUAN
August 2011

when replacing heater element what sealant do i use.

mike
August 2011

Many Thanks for the Tip. My problem was the same as Alan. Burned wire. after fix wire the washing machine was working again.

Donato
January 2011

And if u really need to wash your clothes and cant wait for it to get fixed, u can still use the quick setting wash. I guess it must only use cold water so doesnt need the heating element to work.

Dee
September 2009

Thats brilliant. Many thanks.

Alan
May 2009

Could be one of 3 things: Heating element failing, control board failing, or a loose/burned wire. Mine was the latter, must have vibrated loose and arched. I fixed the wire and voila!

DuaneK
January 2009

its a service code to say the heater has failed.
Power off, remove back cover. Heater is located at bottom of drum. Disconnect wiring, undo central mounting nut and prise it out of its rubber seal - may require some effort. Replace heater, use sealant when refitting rubber seal.
Check out this site for spares : www.4directelectricals.co.uk
Check out this site for info: www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

dan
February 2008