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Tumble Dryer Troubleshooting Guide
Having problems with your tumble dryer? This guide gives you the top warning signs that your machine is on its way out. Or, head to the FAQs where we are giving advice on some of the most common problems.
Signs you need to replace your tumble dryer
As great as tumble dryers are at getting your clothes ready after a wash, they can’t last forever. Most models usually run at their best for around 10 years, so if yours is getting on a bit, keep an eye out for these 5 signs it’s on the way out. We don’t want your laundry problems to spin out of control.
Your clothes aren't drying
If your clothes are coming out of your tumble dryer as wet as they went in, it’s pretty clear something’s up. Tumble dryers that have stopped drying usually have a problem with the heating element. You can get this fixed, but it could cost more than a brand new machine, so you’re probably best buying a replacement instead. Your outfits will be grateful.
It stops mid-cycle
Tumble dryer grinding to a halt before a cycle’s finished? Your machine might be getting too hot for its liking, or it could be a sign something’s up with the electrics. A simple way to check is to put your hand in front of the vent – you should be able to feel a blast of air. If nothing's coming out, that's your sign that it's broken.
It's making weird sounds
Don’t be surprised if your tumble dryer gets noisy – they’re hardly the quietest machines – but it’s still a good idea to keep an ear out for any new sounds it makes. Anything that changes could mean there’s a problem with the motor or fan wheel. If that's the case, you'll need to weigh up if it's worth repairing the part, or getting a new one.
There's a weird smell
Your tumble dryer shouldn’t be letting off any weird smells – not even on sock day. Any whiffs coming from your machine are a sign something’s not right, and if it’s smoke, make sure you turn it off straight away. There could be a few things causing it, like a build-up of lint or a problem with the motor or thermostat, so it’s best to get it looked at ASAP.
It's lost its tumble
If your tumble dryer’s not taking clothes for a spin anymore, it might be because of a snapped belt. This’ll need to get looked at by a professional, but if the same problem keeps happening, then it’s time to upgrade. Another reason could be there’s too many clothes inside. So if your laundry pile’s outgrown your dryer, you’re gonna need a bigger drum, which you can find right here!
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FAQs
- How do I stop condensation in my tumble dryer?
You can get condensation in your tumble dryer when it comes into contact with cold walls or fixings, so make sure your room temperature is higher than 5*c. Also make sure your tumble dryer has enough breathing space at the back and sides. If it’s wedged in a housing unit with nowhere for the heat to pass through, you’ll get condensation building up.
- How do I stop my clothes from shrinking in the tumble dryer?
We’d recommend reading the care instructions on your specific clothes for the best advice. Drying your clothes on the lowest heat setting possible will help, as it’s the high temperatures that make your fabrics shrink. Woollen fabrics shrink the easiest, so we recommend using a drying rack for all those snuggly woolly jumpers.
- Does denim shrink in the tumble dryer?
Denim can shrink in your dryer due to high temperatures. Denim fabric with a loose weave will shrink more than those with a tighter weave, so drying your jeans on a cooler heat works best.
- Why does my tumble dryer have a bad smell?
If there’s a whiff in your machine it’s probably some lint trapped in your tumble dryer. Remove your dryer’s vent and anything that’s lodged in and the smell should go away.
- Why does my tumble dryer have a burning smell?
If it smells like burning rubber or metallic it might mean the belt or motor are on their way out. In this case, you should contact your manufacturer.
- Why is my tumble dryer drum making a noise?
If it’s a squeaking or squealing noise, then the motor belt is slipping. If it’s a grinding noise, then it might mean that the motor bearings are going. In either case, you should contact your manufacturer.
- Why is my tumble dryer not spinning?
The motor belt might have slipped off or snapped. This can be common as machines get older, contact your manufacturer for their advice.
- Why are my clothes coming out of the dryer wet?
Your clothes can come out wet if you overload your dryer, so make sure you’re never overfilling it.
- Why is my tumble dryer squeaking?
This might be because the motor belt is slipping, you should contact your manufacturer straight away.
- How do I replace the vent hose on my tumble dryer?
You’ll need to contact the manufacturer to replace that for you.
- How do I replace a broken door catch on my dryer?
You’ll need to contact the manufacturer to replace that for you.
- Why do my clothes smell burnt when they come out of the dryer?
Make sure you’re using the right settings and that you haven’t been drying your fabrics on a heat setting that is too high.
- How do I reset my tumble dryer?
This will vary with each manufacturer so check your product manual.
- Why is my tumble dryer blowing cold air?
This is normal. Your machine removes any cold air so that your clothes are dried with warm air.
- Why isn't my tumble dryer heating up?
If you own a heat pump tumble dryer then this is normal as they don’t heat up the air. If you own a vented or condenser dryer and it’s not heating up, then your dryer will more than likely have a fault. In this case you should contact your manufacturer.
- Why does my tumble dryer cut out?
If you have a tumble dryer with the sensor dry feature, the tumble dryer will automatically stop once your clothes are dry. If your tumble dryer doesn’t have this feature, then it might be faulty, so get in touch with your manufacturer.
- How do I open the door during drying?
The door on most models wont lock, so you should just be able to open the door. Make sure to pause the cycle first before opening.
- Why does my tumble dryer keep tripping the electrics?
This normally means that your tumble dryer is faulty. Call out for an engineer to take a look at it.
- How do I check the thermostat is working?
Check your product manual as this can vary with each manufacturer.
- Why is my tumble dryer leaking?
There could be a fault with your machine, so contact an engineer to get it checked out.
