Tumble Dryer Not Drying
If you’re suffering from a busy schedule a tumble dryer will help get your clothes dry far quicker than leaving them to hang. Tumble drying is not only quicker but makes your clothes feel softer and fresh, whilst preventing mould and condensation from building up in your rooms.
If your garments are coming out as damp as when you first put them in, the condenser and water pump may be the most common fault. With our help you’ll soon have your favourite garments dry, without having to wait for days.
Heating Element
A common fault which can lead to a defective tumble dryer is the heating element - this can cause a dryer to blow a fuse or cause it to trip the RCD (Residual Current Device). To identify the fault is caused by the element, the heating element will engage - if faulty or damaged the electrics will trip, or blow the fuse switching off the appliance to prevent any further damage.
Safety First! Please make sure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before beginning any repair.
Check the element using a multimeter (See here for instruction on how to use a multimeter). The average reading is between 20 and 100 ohms - If there is zero reading or it tests excessively high then the element will be faulty and require replacing.
- Even without a multimeter, you can still check for visual signs of damage, if the element is damaged then you will clearly notice the damage.
If you require a replacement element for your tumble dryer, browse our extensive range of spares to restore your appliance.
To replace a faulty or damaged element see our easy to follow guide.
Blocked Condenser
Some models of tumble dryers have condenser boxes, these contain the water vapour as your clothes are dried. Usually, this style of dryer is perfect for homes where venting the appliance outside is difficult. If not maintained it can block the moisture and air from flowing through, thus reducing the water collection.
Safety First! Please make sure your appliance is switched off before beginning any maintenance work.
Follow these simple steps to unblock your condenser:
- Located at the bottom of the dryer - remove the condenser box and remove any buildup of lint.
- Stand it upright in a bowl and rinse with clean water, allow it to soak for a few minutes and watch the dirt loosen.
- Rinse it again to remove any leftover debris.
- Once cleared of any junk simply refit the condenser box back into its original place.
If your condenser is particularly worn and needs replacing don’t forget to check out our extensive range of spares here to help restore your appliance.
Water Pump
When damp air passes through the electrical heat exchanger - it is cooled and condensed into a container at the bottom of the dryer, or emptied into a dispenser at the top of your dryer depending on your model.
Safety First! Please make sure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before beginning any repair.
- Locate the water box and empty if full.
- If water is not being flushed out check the pump for faults using a multimeter (See here for instruction on how to use a multimeter).
- Using a low resistance setting - test for a reading between 100 and 300 ohms. If the resistance reads correct, check if the pump fan has come away from the motor shaft.
- Remove any lint build up that may be blocking the pump chamber.
If you need to replace the water pump you can find a replacement here.
To see how to remove and replace the water pump see our easy to follow video guide.
Timer/PCB
The printed circuit board is the brain of your appliance, it helps ensure that the tumble dryer can run its programs and display the relevant information. If it fails then you could be stuck with an appliance that's just sitting there not doing its job.
Unfortunately diagnosing a faulty PCB can be difficult - unless there is some visual indication of the fault. Other defective parts can also cause the circuit board to fail.
Safety First! Please make sure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before beginning any repair.
- To gain access to the PCB remove the top panel of the tumble dryer.
- Look for visual signs of damage - burn marks or a loose terminal and if faulty replace as required.
If you do find a fault you may be devastated as you have to deal with soaking clothes, but we have the PCB and timers right here.
To see how to remove and replace the faulty module board see our easy to follow video guide.
Blocked Filter
Having a clean filter is a key part that helps keep your dryer working at peak efficiency. A blocked filter will reduce the drying performance, consequently leaving you with damp clothes.
Safety First! Please make sure your appliance is switched off before beginning any maintenance work.
Here’s how to clean your filter:
- Locate the filter, it’s typically in the door frame. (If you can’t locate the filter check your user guide or download a copy from our website).
- Once removed clean the filter and wipe the door panel where the filter fits. Pop the clean filter back in and test the tumble dryer.
If your filter has holes or is damaged, we have the replacement spares to restore your dryer back to it’s best.
Our video below shows how to completely service and clean a tumble dryer: