How to test a tumble dryer that is not heating and change a thermostat that is faulty

by / Monday, 19 August 2013 / Published in Heating Systems, Repair Guides, Tumble Dryers

This video is on a compact Zanussi but the testing and repair is very similar on most makes.

Your tumble dryer is not heating? Could Be One Of The Following:
If you have a Tumble Dryer that is not heating up but the drum is turning ok, then the chances are the thermal overload cut-out has tripped or the heater might have blown. Some older dryers have a red reset button on the back of the casing, just press the reset until you feel it click and you should have heat again white knight, creda and some other makes have this. Neff, Bosch dryers have a reset button but you will have to remove the heater cover panel to access it, you will find it just above the heating element (a black stat with small red button) simply press the red button and if it clicks you've fixed it or you can test it as in the video.

tumble-dryer-reset-button

TUMBLE DRYER RESET BUTTON

 

dryers-have-a-red-reset-button

DRYERS HAVE A RED RESET BUTTON

 

tumble-dryer-inlet-cut-out-thermostat

TUMBLE DRYER INLET CUT OUT THERMOSTAT

 

Why do Tumble Dryer Thermostats Fail?

In most cases it´s a fault generated by use or failure to use and maintain the tumble dryer correctly. A little care could prevent the hassle and cost on these repairs:

1 - The Tumble Dryer Filters must be cleaned!

If the air doesn't flow, the machine can overheat and the safety will trip. Any obstruction to the rate of airflow will affect the operation of the dryer and almost certainly cause a failure of the thermostat or, the safety thermostat to trip. If you don't clean the fluff or lint filters, don't fit them back properly or use the tumble dryer with damaged or broken filters it will affect the efficiency of your tumble dryer and as the temperature is no not kept down by cooler air being drawn into the tumble dryer. This increase in temperature can and does, rise high enough to trip out safety thermostats. Any obstruction to the rate of airflow will affect the operation of the dryer and almost certainly cause a failure of the thermostat or, the safety thermostat to trip.

2 - Tumble Dryer Vent Hose!

A blocked vent hose, with fluff or bended in the back of the machine stops the air flow from the machine, tripping the thermostats.

3 - Overloading your Tumble Dryer!

Putting too much clothes in your tumble dyer will affect the airflow, and almost certainly cause a failure of the thermostat or, the safety thermostat to trip.

4 – Always keep Tumble Dryer Condenser Unit Clean!

The aluminum plates at the bottom of condenser tumble dryers, to prevent any blockages caused by the fluff build-up.

5 - Opening The Door During The Drying Cycle!

The dryer has been switched off before the end of the drying cycle and not allowed the dryer to cool down correctly. ALWAYS LET THE DRYER GO THROUGH THE COOLING CYCLE.




107 Responses to “How to test a tumble dryer that is not heating and change a thermostat that is faulty”

  1. Neil White says : Reply

    Hi,

    Great videos, really useful,

    The problem I have is that my Tumble dryer Beko DCU8230 has stopped heating up, everything appears to work otherwise.

    Following your video I have checked resistance on the two heater elements. 1st is 74Ohms 2nd is 34 Ohms.

    While it is stripped down, cabinet open. I have felt the heater start to work, but then it stops heating and goes cold. Although the machine continues to run. Thermostat cut out red switch bells out OK, the thermostat reads at room temp 33.9 kOhms.

    Any help you can give would be greatly received.

    Many thanks.

    Neil

  2. yaron says : Reply

    Hi,
    I have old IDC75 UE dryer machine with a condenser.
    The heat protection thermostat is gone to open circuit every time.
    I “fixed” it by reset it using a pin, but it jump again after a one or two dryer cycles.
    I have notice that the dryer is holding off while trying to turn to counter-clock side, therefore the heat thermostat is jump to open circuit due to lack of air flow.
    I replaced the heating element including both attached thermostats and also the 8 micro-farad capacitor.
    but still, the problem remains…
    any ideas ?
    Thanks

    what I did so far:
    replace 8 micro-farad capacitor.
    replace heating element with both thermostats.
    cleaning all the machine keeping clean air flow.
    cleaning the third thermostat inside the drum.

  3. tina woodman says : Reply

    hi we have a logik ldv6w13, heating element changed and thermostat, but still blowing cold air, any idea to what it may be, thanks..

  4. tina woodman says : Reply

    sorry its a logik lvd6w13 thanks

  5. Sue pearson says : Reply

    Hi, we have a Beto tumble dryer that isn’t heating up, where would we find the thermostat to reset as nothing located on the outside.
    Thanks

  6. Mary G. says : Reply

    Don’t know if this will help, but my dryer wasn’t heating up. I checked the outdoor vent for airflow, and the dryer vent hood had fallen off, so maybe cold air was getting in the vent and shutting off the dryer? I put it back on, and the dryer worked. I ordered a new dryer vent hood too.

  7. Kim says : Reply

    I have a creda tumble dryer it will not heat up how can I find out if its the thermostat before buying the part

  8. kullervo Nyyssönen says : Reply

    Is it available electrolux 125988031 and what does it cost

  9. Pawel says : Reply

    Dzień dobry z Polski , suszarka Bosch – WTG86400PL/01 , Nie grzeje cały czas ? Proszę o info techniczne, dziękuję.
    Napisałem na Messenger FB też 🙂

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