Samsung Dishwasher HE Error: Causes & Fixes
On a Samsung dishwasher, error code HE (Heater error) means the appliance is detecting its internal temperature incorrectly during a heating step; Samsung's Gulf support guide groups HE1, HE2, and HE3 with HE as the same family of heating-system error.
Before you work on your dishwasher
- Power: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its circuit breaker before removing panels or touching wiring.
- Water: Turn off the water supply valve before disconnecting hoses or the inlet valve.
- Heat: Water and the heating element can be hot right after a cycle; let the dishwasher cool first.
- Sharp debris: Wear gloves when reaching into the filter or sump; broken glass often collects there.
- Stop: If you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or find water near wiring, switch off the breaker and call a technician.
- Disconnect power before accessing internal dishwasher parts: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker that powers it before removing panels, the filter, or the drain pump cover, or before reaching into the sump.
- Hot water and steam scald risk: Open the dishwasher door carefully during or right after a cycle. Hot water or steam can escape and cause burns; wait until water noises stop and steam subsides before fully opening the door.
- Hot water supply temperature: Keep the water heater setting for the dishwasher supply at or below 149°F (65°C); hotter water can cause severe burns.
What causes Samsung HE
- Heating element or thermostat damaged, or its wiring faulty: A damaged thermostat, a faulty heating element, or a wiring problem at the heating element/thermostat connection can cause the dishwasher to display an HE-family error. Difficulty 1/5.
- Incoming water supply is too cold: Incoming water colder than about 50°C/122°F can trigger an HE-family error because the dishwasher does not detect the expected temperature rise during the wash. Difficulty 1/5.
- Tripped breaker or loose household wiring feeding the dishwasher: Electrical issues on the dishwasher's power supply, such as a tripped circuit breaker, are listed as a cause of HE-family errors. Difficulty 1/5.
- Overheating from prolonged use or blocked air vents: Overheating caused by prolonged use or blocked air vents is listed as a cause of HE-family errors. Difficulty 1/5.
Find the cause of HE on your dishwasher
Step-by-step checks for Samsung HE
Check the incoming hot water temperature
About 5 minutes
- Run the kitchen hot water tap until it feels hot, or check the water heater setting.
- Confirm the water supply reaching the dishwasher is at least 50°C/122°F and no hotter than 149°F (65°C).
Visually inspect the heating element
About 15 minutes
Warning: injury is possible here. Take the precautions in Before you work on your dishwasher before you start.
- Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its circuit breaker.
- Allow the dishwasher to cool for several hours.
- Open the door and look at the heating element at the bottom of the tub for cracks or discoloration.
How to fix Samsung HE
Check the circuit breaker; refer internal wiring to a technician
About 10 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
Warning: injury is possible here. Take the precautions in Before you work on your dishwasher before you start.
- Check whether the circuit breaker feeding the dishwasher has tripped. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
- If the HE-family error continues, or wiring near the dishwasher's power connection looks loose, corroded, or damaged, do not open panels yourself; contact Samsung Support or a certified technician for inspection and repair.
Clear blocked vents, let the unit cool, and retest
About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
Warning: injury is possible here. Take the precautions in Before you work on your dishwasher before you start.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the dishwasher's air vents.
- Avoid running back-to-back cycles that could overheat the unit.
- Unplug the dishwasher and allow it to cool for several hours before restarting.
- Plug it back in and run a test cycle.
Unplug, let the dishwasher cool, then retest
About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
Warning: injury is possible here. Take the precautions in Before you work on your dishwasher before you start.
- Unplug the dishwasher from its power source, or switch off the circuit breaker that powers it.
- Allow several hours, and ideally at least half a day, for internal components to cool and the system to reset.
- Do not run it if the element is cracked or split.
- Plug the dishwasher back in (or restore breaker power) and run a test cycle.
Confirm hot water supply and rerun a cycle
About 15 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Check that the water heater supplies at least 50°C/122°F to the dishwasher and no more than 149°F (65°C) (run the kitchen tap hot first if unsure).
- Empty the dishwasher.
- Add detergent to the dispenser.
- Run a Normal cycle and check whether HE clears.
When to call a technician about Samsung HE
- Have the heating element, thermostat, or wiring professionally inspected
Sources
- Dishwasher SP.. Instruction Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher SHSM63****, SHS863****, SHS843****, SHVM63****, SHV863**** Operating Instructions, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher SMS6HAI01A User Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Common Samsung dishwasher error codes and their meaning, Samsung Canada Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher water supply requirements, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Why does my dishwasher show HE, HE1, HE2, or HE3?, Samsung Gulf Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Samsung dishwasher is displaying an error code, Samsung US Support (retrieved 2026-09-18)
Reader feedback
Guidance only; follow your appliance manual and local codes. If anything looks unsafe, stop and call a qualified technician. Safety disclaimer