The HC error on your Samsung Washer means the machine has detected water that is hotter than it should be for the selected cycle. This usually points to a plumbing mix-up or a heating fault, and it’s worth checking before running another cycle.

Error code HC
Meaning Hot water detected where cold or warm water was expected
Severity Medium — can damage fabrics and stall cycles if ignored
Time to fix 10–30 minutes
Tools needed Adjustable wrench, torch

What the HC error means

Samsung washers monitor incoming water temperature using an internal sensor. If the machine senses water that’s too hot for the chosen wash setting, it stops the cycle and shows the HC code to protect your clothes and the internal components. Most of the time this is caused by something outside the washer itself, such as the hot and cold supply hoses being connected the wrong way round, but it can also point to a stuck heating element or faulty temperature sensor.

Common causes

  • Hot and cold water inlet hoses swapped or crossed at the wall or the back of the machine
  • Household hot water supply set too high, sending water above safe washing temperatures
  • Faulty inlet valve stuck open, letting hot water flow when it shouldn’t
  • Failed temperature sensor (thermistor) giving an inaccurate reading to the control board
  • A heating element that won’t switch off, continuing to heat water past the target temperature
  • Recent installation or plumbing work where connections weren’t checked properly

How to fix the HC error

  1. Turn off the washer and water supply — Switch off the machine and shut both hot and cold water taps before doing any checks.
  2. Check the hose connections — Trace the hot and cold hoses from the wall to the back of the washer and confirm they’re connected to the matching valves, not swapped.
  3. Test water temperature at the tap — Run water from the hot and cold taps separately into a bucket and check with a thermometer; hot water above 60°C (140°F) can trigger the error.
  4. Reconnect hoses correctly and restart — If hoses were crossed, reconnect them properly, turn the water back on, and run a short cycle to see if the code clears.
  5. Inspect the inlet valve — If temperatures and connections are correct, the inlet valve may be stuck; this often needs a technician to replace it.
  6. Call a Samsung-approved technician — If the error persists after checking hoses and temperatures, the thermistor or heating element likely needs testing and possible replacement.

FAQ

Can I still use the washer with an HC error showing?
No, the cycle will pause or stop until the fault is cleared, so it’s best to check the water supply and hoses first.

Is the HC error dangerous?
It’s not an immediate safety risk, but running hot water through a cold-only cycle repeatedly can damage fabrics and strain the machine’s components over time.

Does HC mean the same as other Samsung washer codes like SE or TE?
No, each code points to a different fault — for comparison see the Samsung Washer SE Error Code: Causes and Fixes and Samsung Washer TE Error Code: Causes and Fixes guides.