Samsung Washer HE1 Error — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

HE1 on a Samsung washing machine means the water heater inside the drum is not reaching the set temperature. The most common causes are a failed heating element or a faulty thermistor (temperature sensor).

Affected Models

Samsung WF45R
Samsung WF42H
Samsung WF56H
Samsung AddWash series
Samsung front-load washers with internal heater

Common Causes

Burned-out heating element
Faulty thermistor (temperature sensor near the heater)
Wiring harness damage between the heater and control board
Control board malfunction

How to Fix It

Switch to a cold-water or 30°C wash cycle and run it to completion.

If the cycle completes without HE1, the heating element or its sensor is the problem — not the control board. This narrows down the fault.
Unplug the machine for 10 minutes to reset the control board.

Reconnect power and retry the wash. A one-time sensor glitch can cause HE1 and may clear after a reset.
Test the thermistor resistance with a multimeter.

With the machine unplugged, locate the thermistor clipped near the heater. A good thermistor reads around 6,000-10,000 ohms at room temperature. An open (OL) or zero reading means it has failed and must be replaced.
Test the heating element resistance.

Disconnect the heater terminals and measure with a multimeter. Resistance should be 20-30 ohms. An open reading (OL) means the element has burned out and must be replaced.

When to Call a Professional

If the heater and thermistor both test fine, the control board may be at fault. Contact Samsung support or a certified washing machine engineer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to keep using the washer with HE1 showing?

Cold wash cycles are safe to run, but hot and warm programmes will not heat correctly. Continued use on hot settings may damage fabrics and will not clean effectively.

Does HE1 appear only on front-load Samsung washers?

HE1 is most common on front-loaders with an internal drum heater. Some Samsung top-loaders also show HE1 if they include a heating element for warm washes.