Appliance Help HQ
Menu
ENEnglishESEspañolPT-BRPortuguês

Source-backed error-code guide

Reviewed

Samsung Microwave C-20 / C-21 / C-22 / E-21 / E-22 / E-23 / E-24 / E-25 / E-26 Error Code

This family covers temperature-related microwave faults, including open/short sensor indications and abnormal-temperature states. Because overheating and internal high-voltage systems can be involved, owner checks stop at power-off, cooling, one reset, and service.

Applies to Samsung microwave oven with an applicable electronic display

What the appliance detected

Detected condition

Samsung lists C-20 through C-22 as temperature-sensor errors and E-21 through E-26 as temperature-sensor or abnormal-temperature conditions.

What may contribute

Possible causes

  • The temperature sensor or its circuit may not be reporting normally.
  • The microwave may have detected an abnormal or excessive temperature condition.
  • The sensor circuit, wiring, control, cooling path, or another internal component may require professional diagnosis.

Start conservatively

Safe preliminary checks

Work in order and stop whenever a step is not supported by the documentation for your model.

  1. Record the code and model before resetting

    • Photograph or write down the exact display, including punctuation and capitalization: C-20, C-21, C-22, E-21, E-22, E-23, E-24, E-25, E-26.
    • Confirm the complete Samsung model code and use its user manual to verify the display applies to that microwave.

  2. Disconnect power and consider recent moisture

    • Samsung says to unplug the microwave or switch its circuit breaker off before the reset attempt. Do not remove the outer cabinet or any service panel.
    • If steam, a spill, or cleaning moisture recently reached the controls, leave the microwave powered off and allow the exterior controls to dry naturally. Do not use a heat gun, hair dryer, compressed air, or liquid cleaner inside control openings.

  3. Try the Samsung reset once

    • If there is no smoke, burning odor, arcing, visible damage, or wet electrical condition, wait at least 60 seconds with power disconnected and then restore power once.
    • If the code returns, stop using the microwave and request service rather than repeating resets.

Actions not recommended

  • Do not remove the microwave cabinet, control panel, waveguide cover, magnetron cover, or other service panels.
  • Do not touch or test the high-voltage capacitor, transformer, inverter, magnetron, door-interlock wiring, or internal fuses. A microwave can retain dangerous voltage after it is unplugged.
  • Do not bypass, defeat, tape, bridge, or adjust door-interlock switches or operate the microwave with a damaged or misaligned door.
  • Do not perform live-voltage, resistance, continuity, or capacitor-discharge procedures as a homeowner troubleshooting step.
  • Do not keep using the microwave if the code returns after the single documented reset.

When to stop and request service

  • Allow the appliance to cool with power disconnected before any reset if the cavity or surrounding area feels unusually hot.
  • Request qualified microwave service if the code returns after the single Samsung power reset.
  • Stop immediately and leave power disconnected for smoke, a burning odor, repeated arcing, visible wiring or door damage, a repeated breaker trip, or any wet-electrical condition.

Documented source

Official information reviewed

Our summary is based on manufacturer support material and stays within the limits of that material.

Source reviewed by Appliance Help HQ: September 23, 2026.

Appliance Help HQ is an independent informational site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung.

Think this information has changed? Report a correction.