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.




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

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  1. Mat says : Reply
    May 23, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    I have a Philips Aquareous TDC30 that’s stopped heating. I’ve replaced the heating element and both stats, but still not heating. There’s a ‘Drying’ LED at the front which no longer lights up. Any suggestions? Thanks

  2. Mat says : Reply
    May 23, 2016 at 3:49 pm

    Actually, it’s a Hotpoint, not Philips.

  3. Jennifer says : Reply
    May 26, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    I have a beko DSC64W model where will I find the reset button

  4. sal says : Reply
    May 27, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Hello Paul,
    Nice site, thank you for all the good work,

    we have a Beko 7230w , it is blowing cold air,
    we have checked the Heater and the stat and thermal fuse,all ok,
    would you know any common faults next? or would you have a diagram please?
    as the loom has many cables going to the front controls and timer,
    Thank you ,
    Sal,

  5. shane norval says : Reply
    May 31, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    Hi
    I have a zanussi that I replaced the pcb and the heater element for the dryer. Trouble I am having is the program only runs for half the time I ask for, or even less. The washing does not feel like it has heated up as much as it did before. Any ideas here?
    Thanks

  6. max says : Reply
    June 26, 2016 at 8:40 am

    hi,
    i wonder if i could be really cheeky and ask for some advice? i have recently got a whirpool aza9791 tumble dryer but it doesnt seem to be getting hot… i have visually checked the filters and element which appear fine but cant seem to find a cut out to reset or a thermostat? as my wife is expecting a baby any day now and we cant really afford to purchase a new on. Any advice would be really welcomed , the displays are fine, it powers up and the drum turns as it should.

    thanks
    max

  7. Jo says : Reply
    August 27, 2016 at 11:49 am

    I have Indesit IDVL75BR sensore dryer that has stopped heating. Does it have a reset button and if so can you tell me where it is?

  8. Stephen says : Reply
    September 5, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    I have a beko dsc85w condenser tumble dryer. There was not hear and replaced the heating element. It’s now hot however it cuts out mid drying…. Parts co said wont be the element I purchased will be pcb. Had a look at it no sign of burn marks etc , made sure sensor is clean in machine, checked condenser etc. Help ???!!!!

  9. anbr says : Reply
    September 20, 2016 at 6:22 am

    I have beko dryer dcu9330w condenser, not drying or heating.

  10. Billy says : Reply
    September 23, 2016 at 7:56 am

    I have a meile tumble dryer that is not heating tried reseting and elements were OK. What else should I try?

  11. jenny topping says : Reply
    October 2, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    Any idea if there is a reset on a homeking dryer

  12. Mary says : Reply
    November 4, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    Hi,I have a white knight gas tumble dryer,I’m not sure if the thermostat is faulty,the dryer is not cutting in long enough to heat up,can you advise me please before I throw it out.
    Thank You
    Mary

  13. Mery Sharp says : Reply
    November 14, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    Any idea if Hotpoint Aquarius condenser dryer had a trip switch

  14. Matt says : Reply
    November 24, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Hi, iv got a beko dsc85w that no longer heats up. Is there a thermostat at the front of the dryer, if so where is it? How do i test the heater element? If its not the heater element or thermostats, what could it be? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance

  15. Richard Fielding says : Reply
    December 8, 2016 at 1:22 am

    Hi my hot point ts12 is blowing cold air, is it thermostat

  16. mike says : Reply
    December 13, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    hi I have a hotpoint aquarius tcm580 condenser dryer, when a put it on it heats up for 2 minutes then goes cold and stays cold for the rest of the cycle, it has recently had a new element and both stats, it worked fine after fitting for a few weeks, i’v checked both stats for continuity and both are good, I cant find any other stats on the machine. any ideas? thanks, mike.

  17. Antony Wilkins says : Reply
    December 20, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    I have a zanussi tumble dryer model TC7103W it stopped heating so I fitted a brand new heater element it worked for less than 24 hours now it wont stay on it still works but goe’s out after 30 seconds or so so can’t dry any clothes, I checked the thermostat I have continuity with my multitester so Iam baffled why the heater element wont stay on.

    Regards Tony Wilkins

  18. Christa says : Reply
    January 10, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    Got a defy auotdryer that we put in a new element and thomostats. Still not heating up. Drum is turning.

  19. DurgaSing Rana says : Reply
    January 26, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    I have changed new heating element for my Beko DSC85W tumble dryer, but still out of heating. What to do next? many thanks for your suggestion..

  20. Richard says : Reply
    March 2, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Hi I have a hotpoint Aquiarius tcfs83 it’s not heating up any chance knowing where to find the thermostat. As cleaned every thing and still not heating checked the elements there fine also or dose it have a reset button ? Plz any ideas

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