On the covered Samsung dryer platform, C90, C9 means Samsung's vent-test result C90 (also shown as C9) says the exhaust vent is about 90 percent blocked. First, clean the lint filter and look at the transition hose and the outside vent hood.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung dryer code C90, C9”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A lint-packed filter or a blocked transition hose
What separates it C90 appears after a vent blockage test
How to confirm Look at the lint filter and the hose behind the dryer
- 2
A crushed or long vent run
What separates it Drying times have grown
How to confirm Check the run for crush points and length
- 3
A blocked outside hood
What separates it Lint or a nest sits at the exit
How to confirm Look at the hood outside
- 4
A vent run that is long, kinked or built with foil
What separates it C90 on a dryer in a basement with a long run to the outside
How to confirm Long, bent runs trap lint and restrict airflow
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether you ran the Vent Blockage test
- How long a load takes to dry now
- How long the vent run is
- The model number
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleClean the lint filter and look at the transition hose and the outside vent hood.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung's instruction for these results is to clean the lint filter and the exhaust vent, then run the Vent Blockage test again.
Clean the lint filter
ReversibleRemove lint, and wash the filter if it feels coated.
Clear the transition hose and hood
ReversiblePull the dryer out, look at the hose, and clear the outside hood.
Run the test again
ReversibleSamsung says to run the Vent Blockage test again after cleaning.
Time a load
ReversibleA load that now takes two or three cycles to dry is the everyday sign of a vent that is mostly blocked.
Check the outside hood
ReversibleWith the dryer running, hold your hand at the hood. A weak puff of air means the vent is restricted even if the hose looks clear.
Compare drying times before and after
ReversibleTime a normal load before you clean and after. A large drop in time confirms the vent was the problem and is the best check that the cleaning worked.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Shown as
- C90 or C9.
- Applies to
- Samsung dryers with a Vent Blockage test.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Treat a blocked vent as a fire hazard
- !Call a vent cleaning service if you cannot reach the run
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does C90, C9 mean on a Samsung dryer?+
Samsung's vent-test result C90 (also shown as C9) says the exhaust vent is about 90 percent blocked.
Is C90 the same as C9?+
Yes, they are the same result.
Does the dryer still run?+
It may, but restricted airflow raises the fire risk.
Is C90 a fault in the dryer?+
No. It is the result of the vent test: Samsung says these codes appear only after a Vent Blockage test has been run.
How often should the vent be cleaned?+
Clean the lint filter every load. The vent run itself is a periodic job, and a long or bent run needs it more often.
Does the C90 result mean I must replace the vent?+
Not necessarily. Cleaning the hose and the outside hood often clears it, and the test is run again to confirm.
Which key sequence runs the Samsung Vent Blockage test?+
Samsung's support article for the test gives the key sequence for your model.
Will the dryer clear the code on its own?+
The code is a test result, so it stays in the display history until you clean the vent and run the test again.