How to clean the heat exchanger on a dryer

If you have finished running a cycle and your load has not dried properly, you may need to clean the heat exchanger. We recommend that you clean the heat exchanger at least once a month or when the buzzer rings and the heat exchanger indicator lights up on the display.

Below are instructions for how to take out the heat exchanger and clean it.

1 Gently press the top part of the outer cover (A) to open.
Remove outer cover on a Samsung dryer
2 Unlock the levers (B).
Unlock the levers on a Samsung dryer
3 Remove the inner cover (C).
Remove the inner cover on a Samsung dryer
4 Clean the heat exchanger with the cleaning brush provided.

Take care to brush up and down in a vertical motion. Do not bend or damage the heat exchanger fins when cleaning (especially if using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment) as this may lead to a decrease in drying performance.

Clean the heat exchanger with the cleaning brush

Please note: To avoid physical injury and burns, do not touch or clean the heat exchanger with your bare hands. Do not use water to clean the heat exchanger.

5 Clean the inner cover with a smooth damp cloth.
Clean the inner cover with a smooth damp cloth
6 Reinsert the inner cover to its original position and the lock the inner cover by using the levers.
Reinsert the inner cover and lock using the levers
7 Close the outer cover and make sure the levers are locked.

Some dryers have an indicator which lights up or flashes during the cycle if the heat exchanger needs to be cleaned. Other machines have a buzzer that sounds after 25 uses until it is cleaned. Opening the inner cover or turning off the power plug will stop the buzzer sounding when the heat exchanger has not been cleaned. We recommend cleaning the heat exchanger in your dryer after every 25 cycles or at least once a month for the best drying results.

 

On some machines a "Filter" message lights up and alternates as shown below:

Display Panel Filter Message

On other machines, the "Filter Check" and the "Heat Exchanger Filter Clean " indicators will light up in red on the display panel.

Please note: Both indicators will flash initially when you switch on the machine but will stop flashing after 5 seconds if no action is required.

Filter Check indicator

Filter Check Indicator on Samsung dryer

Heat Exchanger Filter Clean indicator

Heat Exchanger Filter Clean Alarm Indicator on a Samsung dryer

Please note: Depending on the model of dryer you have the indicator may look different. Please check your user manual to confirm.

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