C-20 on a Samsung cooktop is a temperature sensor failure, meaning the control board is reading a value from one of the burner or surface sensors that falls outside the valid range. This code belongs to the shared C-2x sensor family used across Samsung ranges, ovens, and cooktops, and it usually keeps the affected burner or zone from heating until it’s cleared.
What Usually Triggers C-20
- A surface temperature sensor that has drifted out of calibration or failed internally
- A loose or corroded connector between the sensor and the control board
- Spilled liquid that seeped under the cooktop surface near a sensor connection
- Sensor wiring damaged by heat exposure over repeated high-temperature use
Owner Checks Before Service
Cut power at the breaker for a minute and restart the cooktop to see if the code clears on its own, since a brief reset resolves some sensor glitches. Wipe the cooktop surface and edges thoroughly, as trapped moisture near a sensor housing can trigger a false reading. If C-20 returns as soon as you activate a specific burner or zone, that isolates the problem to one sensor rather than the whole board.
When to Call a Technician
If the code persists after a reset and cleaning, the sensor for that zone likely needs testing and replacement. Continuing to use a zone with an active sensor failure can result in inconsistent heat output, and in some cases the affected zone may shut off partway through cooking. Our cooktop repair service covers Samsung sensor diagnostics and replacement.
Independent repair content, not affiliated with Samsung.
