Samsung Dishwasher Error Code HE — How to Fix (Water Heater Issue)

What Does Error Code HE Mean?

What You'll Need

How to Fix Error HE — Step by Step

1. 1

   Reset the Dishwasher

   Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it from the wall outlet (or flip the circuit breaker). Wait 5 minutes, then plug it back in. Run a normal wash cycle. If the HE error returns, proceed to the next step.

   💡 Pro Tip: A simple reset fixes the HE error about 30% of the time — always try this first.

2. 2

   Check the Water Supply Temperature

   Run your kitchen hot water faucet for 2 minutes before starting the dishwasher. The incoming water should be at least 120°F (49°C). If your water heater is set too low, the dishwasher heater can't compensate.

   💡 Pro Tip: Hold a cooking thermometer under the hot tap to check the actual temperature.

3. 3

   Inspect the Heating Element

   Remove the lower dish rack. The heating element is the circular metal piece at the bottom of the tub. Look for visible damage — cracks, discoloration, or breaks in the element. If damaged, it needs to be replaced.

4. 4

   Test the Heating Element with a Multimeter

   Disconnect power. Access the heating element terminals from underneath the dishwasher. Set your multimeter to ohms (Ω) and touch the probes to each terminal. A working element should read between 12-15 ohms. If you get OL (open line) or 0, the element is faulty.

   💡 Pro Tip: Always disconnect power before testing with a multimeter. Take a photo of wire connections before disconnecting anything.

5. 5

   Check the Thermistor (Temperature Sensor)

   The thermistor is a small sensor clipped near the heating element or sump area. Test it with your multimeter — at room temperature it should read approximately 50,000 ohms (50kΩ). A significantly different reading means the thermistor needs replacement.

6. 6

   Replace the Faulty Component

   If the heating element tested bad, order a replacement (Samsung part #DD81-02135A for most DW80R models). If the thermistor tested bad, order part #DD32-00010A. Disconnect the old part, connect the new one, and reassemble.

When to Call a Professional

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More Dishwasher Error Codes

• Samsung Dishwasher Error 1E — The Samsung Dishwasher error code 1E indicates a water level sensor malfunction.
• Samsung Dishwasher Error 4E — The Samsung Dishwasher error code 4E indicates a water supply error, meaning the
• Samsung Dishwasher Error 5E — The Samsung Dishwasher error code 5E indicates a drain error, meaning your dishw
• Samsung Dishwasher Error bE — The Samsung Dishwasher error code bE indicates a button or switch error on the c
• Samsung Dishwasher Error LC — The Samsung Dishwasher error code LC indicates a leak sensor has detected water