Error codes › Dryer › Samsung
Samsung Dryer tC Error Code
Temperature sensor
Applies to: All digital display Electric and Gas dryers. May also appear as tS, t5, tO, t0, tE, tE3, tC5, tCS, 1 tC, 1tC5, 1tCS.
What's going on
On Samsung dryers, the tC code means the dryer has a problem reading its temperature. This can come from a faulty temperature sensor or from hot air that cannot escape because of a clogged lint filter or blocked vent. Because blocked airflow and bad temperature readings can lead to overheating and fire, stop using the dryer, unplug it or switch off its breaker, and have a qualified appliance technician look at it.
Your dryer uses a small temperature sensor, called a thermistor, to watch how hot the air is as it leaves the drum. The control board uses that reading to turn the heat up or down. If the reading is missing, makes no sense, or shows the air getting too hot, the dryer stops and shows tC.
Hot, damp air has to flow through the lint filter and out the exhaust vent. If lint builds up, the hot air gets trapped and the inside of the dryer overheats. Lint burns easily, so this is a real fire risk. A failed sensor matters too, because the dryer can no longer tell if it is running too hot.
This code applies to Samsung dryers with a digital display, both electric and gas models. Codes can vary between model generations, so confirm the meaning with your exact model number.
Likely causes
- outlet thermistor (temperature sensor) — If the sensor or its wiring is open or shorted, the control board gets a bad reading and stops the dryer. Without a working sensor, the dryer cannot safely control its heat.
- lint filter — A lint filter packed with lint chokes the airflow through the dryer. Heat then builds up inside, which can trigger the code and raise the risk of fire.
- exhaust vent duct — A crushed, kinked, or lint-clogged vent duct traps hot air inside the dryer. This overheating can set off the code, and lint buildup in the duct is a common cause of dryer fires.
The same code can mean different things on different model generations. Check the model number on your dryer's rating plate before ordering parts.
Can you fix it yourself?
Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
When to call a technician
Stop using the dryer now, unplug it or switch off its breaker, and contact a qualified appliance technician. Because this code can point to overheating and fire risk, have the sensor, lint path, and full vent run checked before the dryer is used again.
What the repair usually costs
This is not a quote. Prices vary by region and by model.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $500, about half the price of a typical new dryer.
A typical new dryer costs about $800–$1,200.
Common questions
- What does tC mean on a Samsung dryer?
- tC means: Temperature sensor. The most likely parts involved are outlet thermistor (temperature sensor), lint filter, exhaust vent duct.
- Is it safe to keep using the dryer?
- This code can mean the appliance is overheating. Turn it off at the circuit breaker (or unplug it if you can do so safely) and call a qualified technician. Do not try to diagnose or repair this yourself.
- How much does it cost to fix tC?
- A typical overheating / vent blockage repair costs about $100–$250 nationally, parts and labor included. This is a reference range, not a quote — local prices vary.
- Should I repair or replace my dryer?
- Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $500, about half the price of a typical new dryer.
- Can I fix tC myself?
- Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
- Can I keep using my Samsung dryer if the tC code goes away?
- No. Even if the code clears after a restart, the cause may still be there. Overheating and lint buildup can lead to a fire, so leave the dryer off until a qualified appliance technician has checked it.
- Does the tC code mean the same thing on gas and electric dryers?
- Yes, on Samsung dryers with a digital display it points to a temperature reading or airflow problem on both types. On a gas dryer, also keep it turned off and let a qualified appliance technician handle any work near the gas parts.