Samsung Washer TE Error Code: Thermistor Fault

Quick Answer

TE means the water temperature sensor reading is implausible. The control board cannot confirm water temperature and disables the heating element as a safety measure. The thermistor is a small, inexpensive sensor.

Most of the time when I pull up to a TE code call, it's a loose connector or a corroded pin, not a dead sensor. But if you've ignored it and the board starts logging it as a hard fault, it can lock certain cycles completely. The thermistor itself is cheap, like $15-25 cheap, and honestly one of the easier swaps on a Samsung front loader. Don't ignore this one.

SamsungWasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate88% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$10 – $20

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Digital multimeter (40k ohm range minimum)

What Does the TE Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal with TE. Your Samsung's NTC thermistor is basically a little resistor that changes value based on water temperature. The control board reads that resistance constantly. If it sees a value that doesn't match any real temperature, it kills the heater circuit. It's a safety thing. Usually it's a $20 fix, not a $200 one, and I've cleared hundreds of these calls in under an hour.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Thermistor NTC sensor failed (open or short circuit)40%

Thermistor wiring harness disconnected or corroded24%

Control board thermistor input circuit failed (rare)22%

Water intrusion into thermistor body from a seal failure14%

Symptoms You May Notice

TE flashes on the display right as the wash cycle starts, sometimes before the drum even starts filling with water.
Water stays stone cold during a warm or hot wash setting, like you can stick your hand in and feel absolutely zero heat whatsoever.
Machine starts and stops repeatedly, throwing TE, clearing for a minute, then throwing it again in the same cycle.
Clothes come out with white chalky detergent residue because the water never got warm enough to dissolve the soap properly.

Can you reset a Samsung washer to clear the TE code?

After the repair, do a hard reset. Unplug the washer from the wall and wait a full 60 seconds, not 10, not 30, a full minute. That gives the capacitors on the main board time to fully discharge. Plug it back in and kick off a Quick Wash or a Rinse+Spin cycle. If the sensor's good and the connection's solid, the TE code won't come back.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverDigital multimeter (40k ohm range minimum)Electrical contact cleaner sprayNeedle-nose pliers

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range20000–30000 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
NTC Thermistor Temperature SensorDC32-00007B · $10–$20	DC32-00007B	$10 – $20

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TE mean my Samsung washer's heater element has failed?

Rarely. The TE code points specifically at the sensor circuit, not the heater itself. Think of it this way: the thermistor is the thermometer and the heater is the stove. If the thermometer's broken, the washer refuses to turn the stove on because it can't tell if things are getting too hot. I've probably swapped 50 thermistors for every heating element I've replaced on Samsung units. Always test the sensor first before you spend $80-120 on a heater element.

What should a Samsung washer thermistor read at room temperature?

At about 68 degrees, you're looking for roughly 25,000 ohms, give or take a few thousand. If your laundry room runs warm, say 80 degrees, that number drops closer to 18,000-20,000. Cold garage at 50 degrees, it might climb to 35,000 or higher. NTC just means the resistance drops as temperature rises. What you don't want to see is zero ohms (shorted) or OL/infinite (open wire). Anything in between is usually the sensor doing its job fine.

Can I run my Samsung washer with a TE code by selecting cold wash?

Sometimes. Tap Cold cycles often work because the board isn't trying to heat anything so it doesn't really care what the thermistor is reading. But here's the thing, some Samsung firmware versions will lock the whole machine after a TE code regardless of what cycle you pick. And even if it runs, you're washing in cold water only, which means detergent doesn't dissolve right and your clothes aren't really getting clean. It's a cheap repair, just fix it.

How long does it take to replace the thermistor on a Samsung front load washer?

Honestly, 20-30 minutes if you've done it once before, maybe 45 for a first-timer. The hardest part is usually getting the back panel off and finding the sensor, which takes longer than the actual swap. The thermistor itself takes about two minutes to change once you're in there. Part DC32-00007B runs around $15-25 on most appliance parts sites, don't pay more than that. This is genuinely one of the easier repairs on a Samsung washer.

My Samsung shows TE but the thermistor tests fine. What else could cause this?

So if the resistance is in range and the connector looks clean, your next suspect is the wiring harness itself. Switch your multimeter to continuity mode and check each individual wire from the thermistor connector all the way back to the main board connector. One broken wire in the middle of the harness, which can happen from years of vibration, will do the exact same thing as a totally dead sensor. If the harness checks out too, then you're probably looking at the thermistor input circuit on the main control board, and that's where the repair gets more expensive.

Related Samsung Washer Error Codes

Code: LESamsung Washer LE Error Code: Water Level Sensor Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Samsung shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3E Error Code: Motor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4E Error Code: Water Supply Fault (Top Load)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8C Error Code: Vibration Sensor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8E Error Code: Motor Frequency Sensor Fault

Models Known to Experience TE Errors

This repair applies to most Samsung washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WF45R6100AW, WF45T6000AW, WF45R6300AW, WF50R8500AV, WF45H5200AW, WF56H9100AG, WF42H5000AW, WF45K6500AV

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026