Samsung · Dishwasher
Samsung Dishwasher tE Error Code
Temperature sensor signal invalid
What this error means
tE means the wash thermistor sent resistance outside Samsung's valid band—open, shorted, or drifting. Sanitize and heavy cycles abort because the board cannot confirm safe water temperature.
How TE is detected
When TE appears on a Samsung dishwasher, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Samsung DW80R7031US, Samsung DW80B7070US, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most TE calls are resolved without parts: breaker off two minutes, then reseat the sump wiring harness. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If TE returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Thermistor connector loose at the sump harness
- Corroded pins after steam moisture wicking into the plug
- Probe cracked from limescale expansion
- Main PCB input circuit failure mimicking sensor fault
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Breaker off two minutes, then reseat the sump wiring harness
- 2Run hot at the sink and retry a normal wash—not sanitize—for baseline test
- 3Inspect visible thermistor wiring under the toe kick for chafe marks
- 4Note if tE pairs with HE—sensor first, heater second in diagnosis order
When to call a technician
Technicians ohm the thermistor against Samsung's temperature-resistance chart at known water temp.
Affected models
- Samsung DW80R7031US
- Samsung DW80B7070US
- Samsung DW80R9950US
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use dishwashers to prevent TE from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when TE appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Samsung dishwasher—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for TE; Samsung uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting TE; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.