Samsung microwaves display a distinct set of codes from Samsung’s ranges and ovens, built around the appliance’s gas sensor, temperature sensing, and door/weight detection systems. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re likely to see on an ME, MC, or MS model. This guide is independent and not affiliated with Samsung.
Gas and PH sensor codes
C-10, C-11, and C-12 relate to the gas or PH sensor circuit used on models with automatic sensor-cook functions, which detect steam and humidity to judge doneness. E-11 through E-14 cover a related family of gas sensor failures. If these appear mainly during sensor-cook or sensor-reheat cycles but the microwave heats fine on manual power/time settings, the gas sensor itself (rather than the magnetron) is the likely cause.
Temperature codes
C-20 through C-22 and the related E-21 through E-26 range point to a temperature sensor reading outside its expected range, most relevant on MC convection combination models that use a probe or thermistor for oven-mode cooking. If your unit only uses standard microwave power (no convection), these codes are less common but can still appear if the internal cavity temperature sensor used for over-temperature protection is failing.
Door and weight sensor codes
E-31 through E-36 cover door and weight sensor failures, relevant on models with auto-sensor cooking that factor in food weight. C-d0 through C-d2 are the door switch/latch codes shared with Samsung’s broader appliance lineup — if the microwave won’t start or stops mid-cycle and one of these codes appears, check that the door is closing fully and the latch mechanism isn’t obstructed before assuming a switch has failed.
Communication and keypad codes
- C-F0, C-F1, C-F2: communication problems between the control board and display/keypad.
- E-81 through E-83: a related communication problem family specific to certain microwave control boards.
- -SE-: a shorted or stuck key on the touch keypad, shared with Samsung’s cooktop code set.
- TE: a touch panel communication error, distinct from a single stuck key.
What these codes don’t tell you
None of these codes diagnose the magnetron, high-voltage capacitor, or high-voltage diode directly — a microwave that powers on, runs the fan and turntable, but produces no heat and shows no error code at all is a classic sign of a failed magnetron or high-voltage component, which requires hands-on testing by a technician rather than code lookup.
Reading dash-prefixed codes correctly
Samsung’s microwave codes mix single-letter, dash-prefixed, and double-letter formats depending on the problem family, which makes it easy to misread one code for another on a dim display. If you’re unsure exactly what’s shown, note whether the display uses a “C-” prefix, an “E-” prefix, or neither, since that alone narrows down which problem family you’re dealing with before looking anything up further.
Distinguishing a code from a symptom-only failure
Not every microwave problem produces a code at all. A weak or intermittent heating performance with no code showing, especially on an older unit, is often the magnetron gradually losing output rather than a sensor circuit tripping a problem. Because the magnetron and high-voltage system aren’t monitored by the same self-diagnostic codes described above, the absence of a code doesn’t mean the unit is fine — it just means the problem lies outside what the control board actively watches.
Getting it diagnosed correctly
Write down the exact code, whether it appears during sensor-cook, manual cooking, or on startup, and whether the unit is a countertop, over-the-range, or convection combo model. Visit our microwave repair service page to schedule a visit, and see our microwave error code reference for further detail.
This guide is provided by an independent appliance repair service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Samsung Electronics.
