Your tumble dryer is one of the most-used appliances in the home, especially if you have a family! Convenient when working, it can be a nuisance when something goes wrong. As with all such devices – those with moany moving parts and electrical systems – things do go wrong after a while, as many of the parts are perishable. There are a number of common problems experienced with tumble dryers, most of which can be repaired, and they tend to be the following:

• Tumble dryer will not start
• Dryer starts, but does not tumble
• It takes longer than it should
• Dryer shuts down too soon
• Will not shut down
• Is too hot or not hot enough

All of these problems can be caused by a variety of elements within the machine, some more common than others, so let’s deal with them in that order.

Tumble Dryer Will Not Start

If you try and switch your tumble dryer to run a routine, and it will not start, the first thing to do is check if there are any lights on the control panel. If not, check whether it is switched on and plugged in at the mains. If so, you may have a blown fuse, which is easy to check, or you could have a terminally broken control panel within the machine. This is not a DIY job, so you will need to call out an engineer.

It’s worth us mentioning at this point that any good, experienced engineer will tell you if your tumble dryer is not worth repairing, which can be the case with older machines. Otherwise, they will fix the problem is they can.

If you do have signs of power to the machine but it still will not start, the usual culprit is the door switch. A tumble dryer will only start when it ‘knows’ the door is shut correctly. It can tell thanks to a signal sent by an electronic switch in the door mechanism. Check that the door is closed – perhaps open and close it again – and you might solve your problem.

Also, you might want to check the thermal fuse: this differs from the fuse in your plug, and is designed to trip if the machine is overheating. Using your handbook, locate the fuse and see if it is working – or, as this is a specialist job, you might want to call out an engineer who knows the way around your machine.

Dryer Will Not Tumble

This can be a very common problem with tumble dryers, and is also often down to the door switch. Check the switch is not obstructed by any debris and perform the open and close routine, and see f that helps. If it does not, take everything out and check the drum: it could be that there is a debris build-up that is stopping it from moving, which should be easy to see and clear.

If neither of these solve your problem, you could need a new dryer belt. This is a belt that connects the motor to the drum, and keeps the drum moving. They perish with age as they are usually rubber, and it’s not a DIY job so it is best to get in touch with your dryer repair engineer. If it’s not the belt – an engineer will be able to confirm this – it could be that the drive motor has come to the end of its life. If this is the case, an engineer will advise you as to the financial viability of fitting a new one, depending upon the age of your machine.

The Programme Runs for Longer than Usual

Sometimes, tumble dryers suddenly seem to take longer to perform their routine. It could be that you are over-loading the machine, which is easy to do, or that you need to rethink the programme you are selecting. It could also be one of a few technical problems, which may or may not be fixable by you!

The first check is the lint filter; this is an essential part of any tumble dryer and collects any debris that comes of clothes, which happens naturally during the drying process. It should be easy to locate using your user manual, and if you can see there is plenty of ‘fluff’ blocking it, this means it is not letting enough air through and the machine cannot do its job. This is a DIY job in all but the worst cases and should take a few minutes to rectify.

If it’s not the lint filter – you’ve checked and it’s nice and clear – then it may be that the drum seal has perished, and as this is a rubber item it will do in time. It’s best to get an engineer to check at this point – you may be able to see damage to the seal – as the problem could also be with two items that are not to be handled by anyone other than the expert, these being the blower wheel and the coil. If you’ve checked all the above and can’t see damage to the seal, then call an engineer to have a look.

Dryer Doesn’t Run for Long Enough

We’ve all done it: the dryer’s stopped, you take the load out – and it’s still far from dry! The dryer simply hasn’t run its full programme, and this could be due to a number of reasons. One is, as with the above, the lint filter, which can have the opposite effect to that we described before in some cases. Another is that the timer is not working properly, and this is an expert job as it will involve  replacing the central control unit – an electricians domain.

Many more modern dryers contain a moisture sensor; this is designed to tell the computer brain how things are going, by sending signals as it comes into contact with the wet clothes. However, sometimes they can malfunction – especially where the cycle is part complete and the clothes are drying – so the brain thinks the job is done, and shuts down. Once again, this is a job for the expert engineer, so get in touch if you think this is your problem.

The other possibility is that your motor is past its best, and is not able to run for  as long as it should. Your tumble dryer technician will be able to advise you as to whether the motor can be reconditioned or needs to be replaced, and whether it is worth the expense with older machines.

Dryer Will Not Stop Running

This is not a common problem, but can be a worrying one: your tumble dryer has been going forever, and just won’t stop! This can be dangerous as the heat builds up inside, so if you do encounter this problem, switch off at the mains. Then, you have to find out what caused the problem.

Once again, that door switch can be the culprit; it could be that it is malfunctioning and not telling the machine what it needs to, and should therefore be replaced. Or, it could be to do with the thermostat in the machine that is intended to keep temperatures as they should be. These can fail after a while and that will lead to the motor not getting the signal that it is too hot! We strongly advised that for a machine that will not stop running, you switch it off, leave it to cool, and call an engineer.

Dryer Runs Too Hot or Not Hot Enough

The final common problem we want to mention is one that has opposite symptoms: your tumble dryer may be running too hot, or may not reach the temperature you need it to. The problem will most likely lie with one of the thermostat systems in the machine, which send signals to the heating elements – or don’t, if they are not working. These need replacing by an engineer.

Another problem can be that the heating elements themselves have been damaged, and are not doing their job properly, or it could be that the thermal fuse – that which is designed to cut the machine off when it determines excess heat – is not working. All of these are best handled by an experienced technician, as they need someone who knows how the systems work.

Conclusion Tumble dryers are quite simple machines and, within their given lifetime, tend to be reliable too. The above problems are those that you are most likely to encounter, and all can be rectified. It is worth having a regular check over your machine – check door seals and drum seals, plus the lint filter on a regular basis as this is the most common cause of tumble dryer problems – and if you have an older machine, it may be wise to have a technician take a look at it, as it may be more cost effective to replace rather than repair. Finally, always stay on the safe side – if you suspect a problem, unplug the machine from the mains and call the experts.

The above are some of the most commonly seen problems that can occur with tumble dryers, but it should be remembered they are not the only ones! These are machines with which, in time, there are plenty of parts to fail, and as we have already said no component will last a lifetime. If you are having problems with your tumble dryers it’s worth contacting an expert who will be able to advise you as to whether it is possible – or financially viable – to repair your tumble dryers.

With 2 hour and weekend slots available for your convenience, North London Appliance Repairs will notify you up to 30 minutes ahead of arrival to ensure that you don’t miss our visit, and our website even allows customers to track the status of their tumble dryers repairs online.

With a 1 year parts and labour guarantee on every job, you can be sure that you’re in good hands with North London Appliance Repairs. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today for more information or to request a quote.