James Crawford Key Takeaways
- ET on a Samsung gas dryer means the burner failed to ignite, so the drum turns but the air stays cold.
- Do not keep retrying: repeated failed attempts can let unburned gas gather.
- Causes are worn valve coils, a cracked igniter or an interrupted gas supply.
- The only homeowner check is the gas shutoff valve behind the dryer, followed by one reset.
- If you smell gas, leave the area and do not operate the dryer.
The Bottom Line
ET is a gas safety fault and not a code to keep retrying. Check the shutoff valve once, try one reset, and book a licensed technician if it returns, because the igniter and valve coils are not a homeowner job.
A Samsung dryer ET error means a gas dryer tried to light its burner and failed, and the safe response is not to keep trying. The site's page for the Samsung dryer ET code says that repeated failed ignition attempts can let trace amounts of unburned gas gather, so the dryer should be repaired before more use. The problem is common and the fix is routine, but the risk is real enough to follow a few rules.
| What you notice | What it points to | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Drum tumbles but the air stays cold | Burner never lights | Stop retrying, do not run it again |
| Warmth for a few seconds, then cold | Valve not opening fully | Book a technician |
| Clicking from the gas valve area | Valve coils trying to open | Book a technician |
| Smell of gas at any time | Gas leak possible | Leave the area at once |
| ET after a gas interruption | Gas supply was off | Check the shutoff valve, then one retry |
What Does ET Mean on a Samsung Dryer?
ET means the gas burner failed to ignite, so the dryer tumbles but never makes heat. The dryer's control tries to light the burner by heating the igniter, then opening the gas valve, and ET is reported when that sequence does not end in a flame.
The page describes the typical signs: the drum turns and air moves but stays at room temperature, a brief warmth that fades as the igniter glows but the valve fails to open, and a clicking from the gas valve area as the valve coils try to open.
Is It Safe to Keep Trying a Gas Dryer With ET?
No. Do not keep running cycles to see if it lights, because each failed attempt can let a little unburned gas collect. The page notes that modern Samsung gas dryers have redundant safety controls, but still says to have the ignition repaired before further use.
- Do not retry repeatedly. One cautious retry after a known gas interruption is the limit.
- Stop if the igniter glows but no flame appears. That repeated pattern is the sign of a failing valve.
- Never smell and carry on. If you smell gas at any time near the dryer, do not operate it.
- Keep the area ventilated. Open a window and keep sparks and flames away until it is checked.
If you smell gas, leave the area and contact your gas company from outside. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off on your way out.
The danger is not dramatic, but it is real. A dryer that fails to ignite and keeps trying is releasing small amounts of gas into the drum and the exhaust, and the longer it does so the more there is. That is the reason for the rule against retrying, and it is why the page treats ET as a stop code.
What Causes a Gas Dryer Ignition Failure?
Three causes are listed, and only one of them is something you can check. The other two are parts that wear with age and need a technician who is comfortable working on gas.
- Worn gas valve solenoid coils. The dual coils weaken over time and cannot open the valve fully when the igniter is hot, so the igniter glows and no gas flows.
- Cracked or weak igniter. The silicon carbide igniter develops tiny cracks from heat cycles and no longer reaches the temperature that signals the valve.
- Interrupted gas supply. A closed shutoff valve, a blocked line or an empty propane tank stops the gas, and this is the one you can check.
The page says gas component repair is for professionals. The risk is in the work, because a gas line, a valve and an open flame are all involved in the same job, which is why it should not be a weekend project.
The One Safe Check
Look at the gas shutoff valve behind the dryer and see whether other gas appliances in the home work. The handle should be parallel to the pipe in the open position, and a closed valve or a household gas interruption explains ET on its own.
- Locate the shutoff valve behind the dryer, which is easier with the dryer left in place.
- Check that the handle is parallel to the pipe, which is the open position.
- Confirm that another gas appliance, such as the stove, is working.
- Reset the dryer by unplugging it, restoring power and trying one cycle.
- If ET returns, stop and book a technician.
The page also suggests watching the igniter, but that means removing a panel. We would leave that to the technician, since the igniter is fragile and a panel off a gas appliance is not a casual job.
Where Lint and Venting Fit
Lint does not cause ET, but a gas dryer's heat and exhaust make clean venting important in any case. A blocked vent also raises temperatures and strains the machine, so it is worth checking at the same time as the repair.
Our guides to dryer lint fire prevention and to a Samsung dryer that is not heating cover the venting and the other heat faults, and the gas range safety guide covers the household gas habits that apply here too.
What a Technician Does at the Visit
The technician watches the ignition sequence and tests each stage in turn, starting with the simplest cause. The page gives the classic pattern, and the repair follows from it.
- Igniter glows but no flame: the classic sign of worn valve coils, which are replaced.
- Igniter does not glow at all: the igniter has failed and is replaced, and it is fragile, so it is not touched casually.
- ET that comes and goes: the page treats an intermittent ET as an early sign of valve coil failure.
- Gas supply fault: if the supply is the cause, the technician says so, and the dryer itself needs no part.
Gas repairs are best done once and properly. A visit that ends with a flame test and a check of the connections is the outcome to expect.
Getting It Fixed
Book a licensed technician for ET that returns. The page puts the repair at about 60 to 90 minutes of work. A diagnostic starts from $89, and the final price is confirmed after the on-site diagnosis, with a written estimate before any work begins. Our Samsung dryer repair service covers the igniter and the valve coils. You can book a visit or tell us whether the igniter glows and whether you hear clicking, so the right parts come with the technician.