Samsung Washing Machine HC Error: Meaning, Causes & Safe Checks

HC Check carefully Safe checks first Sources differ

Quick answer

Samsung’s UK code table lists HC (and HE or H1) as a water temperature issue, and the first check is that the inlet hose is on the cold supply. Samsung pages in other countries call HC a heater error, so if the code returns once the hose is on cold, treat it as a heating fault and book a repair.

Also shown as HE H1 E8

Sources disagree on this code

Samsung’s UK code table lists HC, HE and H1 as a water temperature issue and says to check the hose is on the cold supply. Samsung’s pages for other countries describe HC and HE as a heater error. We give the UK check first. If the code comes back, assume a heating fault and book a Samsung repair. HE1 and HE3 on the UK table mean a water heater or steam fault that needs a Samsung engineer.

Check your model

This code can mean different things on different model series. Check your manual, or Samsung UK support with your model number.

What HC means on a Samsung washing machine

Samsung’s UK code table describes HC, HE and H1 as a water temperature problem, such as the machine being fed from the hot supply.

Applies to: Samsung washing machines sold in the UK. HE1 and HE3 are different codes (see below).

What you might notice

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • It still doesn’t heat after the checks. Heating faults need an engineer.
  • You smell burning, see smoke or scorch marks, or the appliance trips your electrics. Stop using it, and switch it off at the wall only if it is safe to reach. Otherwise switch off at the consumer unit.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Check the inlet hose is on the cold supply

  1. Follow the inlet hose back to the tap it connects to.
  2. Check it is the cold tap. Cold is usually the blue tap, and most UK machines are fed from cold only.
  3. If it is on the hot supply, have it reconnected to the cold supply.

When to call an engineer

If the checks above don’t clear HC, or any of the stop signs apply, contact Samsung or a qualified appliance engineer. Have the model and serial number from the rating label ready, and start with Samsung UK support.

Repair or replace?

Most HC cases are cleared by the safe checks above. If they don’t help, the remaining causes are parts an engineer has to diagnose. We don’t publish repair prices because they vary by area, part and model.

Related problems

Related codes

Questions people ask

What do HE1 and HE3 mean?

Samsung’s UK table lists HE1 and HE3 as a water heater or steam function problem and says to contact a Samsung service centre.

Different code or symptom? Use the fault finder, see all Samsung washing machine codes, or read how Samsung codes work. Not sure it’s safe? Read our safety information.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.