How to Diagnose Tumble Dryer Drying and Heating Problems

There are few things as frustrating as discovering your tumble dryer is not heating or drying your clothes. Even more frustrating is the fact that the cause behind this issue is rarely clear, and it isn’t easy to diagnose what’s wrong without knowing what you are looking for. This is why the eSpares team is here to help!

In this article, we will discuss a few of the most probable reasons for your tumble dryer problems and how you can resolve them. With our instructive steps and video tutorials, you will be able to fix each and every single one of them without the need for a professional!

There are a few possible reasons why your tumble dryer’s not working. These include:

1. Lint build-up
2. Thermostat tripping
3. Faulty heating element
4. Fault with the drainage/reservoir

You can see how to resolve all of these issues in the video below or read the article on this page:

If your tumble dryer is not drying your items but is heating up normally, it is usually caused by a restriction somewhere in the airflow. In other words, the filters in your appliance have probably been blocked up by lint or fluff from your clothes.

When it comes to the lint filter, tumble dryers usually need to be checked after every use to make sure there is no build-up. If you haven’t checked on your filters in a while, that could be the reason you are experiencing troubles with your appliance. In this section, we will tell you how to clean tumble dryer filters and where you can find them on different models.

Cause 1: Lint build-up on the filter

Every tumble dryer has a lint filter. Depending on your machine, the filter will usually be inside the door rim or on the front of the dryer, behind a panel. To clean it, you can simply use your fingers or a soft cloth to remove the lint build-up. For a deeper clean, you can use a handheld vacuum to remove pieces that are stuck or rinse the filter with warm water and a soft brush. Make sure that it is completely dry before reinserting it into your appliance.

If the lint filters on your tumble dryers are in a particularly bad condition, worn, or damaged, you should think about replacing them. This will ensure the efficiency of your appliance and prevent future issues. We have a wide selection of tumble dryer filters for different kinds of makes and models of appliances, so be sure to take a look!

Cause 2: Lint build-up in the condenser/vent

❗ Note: This applies to condenser tumble dryers only!

If you own a condenser tumble dryer, it is also possible that some of the lint has fallen into the condenser itself. There, it can get wet and stuck inside the vent. Over time, this will build up and stop air from flowing through it.

To check if this is the case, take the condenser assembly out of the dryer and have a look inside for any lint build-up. The best way to fix this tumble dryer problem is to leave it to soak in some water for a few minutes before flushing with either a showerhead or a couple of jugs of water.

It’s also worth having a look inside the tumble dryer, behind the condenser assembly. More lint or fluff could have gotten stuck behind there, so you will want to clear that out as well.

🎥 Find out how to maintain the condenser on your tumble dryer to prevent issues from occurring in the future:

Cause 3: Lint build-up in the hose

❗ Note: This applies to vented tumble dryers only!

If you have a vented tumble dryer, it’s possible for lint to build up in the hose. To see if that’s the case, you should just disconnect the hose from the back of the dryer and examine it. You can clean it with a flexible brush or a vacuum with a narrow hose attachment.

If the hose is connected to a wall vent, the lint can also build up in there. Make sure that you clean it out as well – once again, you can use a vacuum.

By the end of your cleaning, the airflow that comes out of the back of the hose should feel like a powerful hairdryer. To make sure this is the case, simply place your hand over the end and check that the temperature is warm and the airflow strong and steady.

If you have noticed that your tumble dryer’s working but not heating, that could point to a fault with the heating element. That isn’t always the case – sometimes, the thermostat or the drainage could be behind the problems you are experiencing. However, even if it is the tumble dryer heating element that has failed, you don’t need to worry. We will explain how you can easily repair and replace it without the need to call a professional! 

Cause 1: Thermostat has tripped

You will find that sometimes, a thermostat on a tumble dryer might trip due to overheating. This is often due to blocked vents or filters – so make sure to clear those out as well! Once your vents are clear, you should check whether your thermostat is resettable or not.

Most tumble dryers will have the thermostat behind the rear panel. They are typically small, disc-shaped, or rectangular components mounted on or near the heater element assembly. You can tell whether yours is resettable by looking for a small, red button on or around it.

This is how to fix a tumble dryer thermostat:

1. Open up the back panel of your tumble dryer. You will most likely require a standard Phillips screwdriver, although some models may call for a Torx. Double-check what kind of screws your appliance uses and acquire any screwdrivers you might need over at the eSpares store.
2. Locate the thermostat – it might look something like the one pictured above.
3. See if you can locate a red button. When you press it, you should be able to hear a clicking sound. That indicates that the thermostat has indeed tripped, and pressing the button has reset it.

🎥 If you find that this has not resolved the problem, it is possible that your thermostat is faulty and requires replacement. You can see how to perform this repair in our video below. And remember to purchase a spare tumble dryer thermostat from eSpares!

Cause 2: Fault with the drainage/reservoir

❗ Note: This applies to condenser tumble dryers only!

Ever wondered: how does a condenser tumble dryer work? As water is extracted from your clothes, it builds up in a reservoir at the bottom of the dryer. On some models, this water is then pumped up into a container within the tray, where it should then be taken out and emptied.

However, if the tray isn't emptied out regularly, the water is going to fill to the top and overflow. It then goes back into the tray and runs down through a pipe into the reservoir. As the reservoir gets fuller, a float switch will activate and turn off the heater to prevent any more water from being collected.

If you own a condenser tumble dryer, this could be the reason that it is not heating up anymore.

The first thing to do is to make sure that this container is always emptied before you start using your dryer. When the container is empty, you should then ensure that the pump is working. A good way to check this is just to remove the container, turn your dryer on, and pour a glass of water into the tray. It should then drain down into the reservoir.

If you then put the container back in, the water should get pumped through into the back of the container. Check that the water is coming back in, and that will establish whether the pump is working correctly or not.

🎥 If your pump’s faulty, you’ll need to replace it. Find out how to perform this repair in our video, and don’t forget to acquire a spare tumble dryer pump:

Cause 3: A faulty element

If you have performed all the checks listed above and your appliance still isn’t working, the problem most likely lies in the heating element. Tumble dryers typically have this part located in the back or on the side.

To ensure that it is, in fact, the heating element that is the issue, you can use a multimeter to test it. Remove the electrical connections from the element. Then, put the multimeter on a low resistance setting and place the probes onto the terminals inside the plug. For a working element, you will be looking for a reading between 20 and 50 ohms.

🎥 See a more in-depth tutorial here:

If you see that the readings are out of the 20-50 ohm range, this indicates the presence of a fault, and the heating element should be replaced. You might also notice other signs that point to an issue. For example, broken coils, dark spots, or burn marks are all indicators of a broken heating element.

🎥 Find out how you can repair it in this video, and remember to purchase your new tumble dryer heating element today:

If you have a model different from the one pictured in the video above, you might be able to find a more accurate repair tutorial on the eSpares YouTube channel.

Time and frequent use will often leave an impact on even the sturdiest of appliances. However, a broken thermostat or faulty element is no reason to get rid of a perfectly good tumble dryer. Repairing will save you some cash, and more often than not, you can fix an issue by yourself.

For longevity and better performance of your tumble dryer, we recommend getting the eSpares tumble dryer wool balls. You can learn more in the video below:

If you have found that you are facing other issues with your appliance, you might be able to resolve them in this tumble dryer fault diagnosis playlist on our YouTube channel.

And remember to visit eSpares for more tumble dryer spare parts, accessories, and consumables!