Clothes Dryer Repair

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Clean the lint filter Unplug the dryer, take out the lint filter and wipe it. If there is a built-up film, wash it in warm water and let it dry fully before refitting it.
2. Check the vent hose or condenser Unplug the dryer first. On a vented dryer, detach the hose at the back, check it for lint or kinks and clean it. On a condenser dryer, clean the condenser if your model's condenser is removable (see the manual).
3. Reduce the load Don't pack the drum full — leave room for the clothes to tumble and for air to flow.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Clean the lint filter Unplug the dryer and clean the lint filter. A clogged filter makes the dryer overheat, which can blow the thermal fuse.
2. Check the programme and the socket Make sure you haven't picked a cold-air programme (such as Cool Air or Refresh). Plug the dryer directly into a sound wall socket — it draws a high load, so avoid extension leads and multi-plugs.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Turn the drum by hand Unplug the dryer first, open the door and turn the drum by hand. If it spins very freely, the belt is probably broken; if it is stiff, the idler pulley or rollers are likely worn.
2. Check the filter housing With the dryer unplugged, look in the lint-filter housing — a button or coin can get stuck there and jam the drum.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Clean the lint filter Clean it after every cycle — it matters more than anything else for drying efficiency.
2. Inspect the vent hose Unplug the dryer first, detach the vent hose from the back and clean it, then clear the outside opening in the wall or window.
3. Smaller loads, better spin Don't pack the drum full, and spin the clothes at a high speed in the washer before drying.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Unplug immediately Unplug the dryer at once and don't run it again until a technician has checked it. If there is heavy smoke or fire, don't open the dryer door — get out and call the fire brigade on 180.
2. Check the load Once it has cooled, take the clothes out and check for anything that could ignite (lighters, paper tissues). From now on, never tumble-dry clothes stained with petrol, solvents or cooking oil (even after washing), or items with foam rubber, and empty pockets before every load.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Check the drum Unplug the dryer first, open the door and look inside and around the drum. Remove anything stuck (a pin, an earring) — but don't reach into any openings inside the machine.
2. Empty the pockets Empty all pockets before drying — coins and keys cause a lot of noise problems.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Close the door properly Open the door and close it again firmly until it clicks. Remove any clothes caught in the door.
2. Check the breaker Check the dryer's breaker in the fuse box. If it has tripped, reset it once; if it trips again, leave it off and call a technician — there is a wiring or appliance fault.
3. Power reset Unplug it for a minute, then plug it back in — this restarts the control board.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Reduce the load Don't pack the drum full — clothes need room to tumble freely so they don't crease.
2. Choose the right programme Cottons: the Cotton programme. Synthetics and blends: Synthetics or Mixed. Delicates: the Delicates programme on low heat. Don't use high heat for everything.
3. Take clothes out promptly Take the clothes out and hang them as soon as the cycle ends — if they sit in a heap inside, the creases set.
4. Use anti-crease Turn on the anti-crease option if your dryer has one — it tumbles the drum now and then after the cycle ends.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Clean the tank Take out the tank, wash it in warm water, dry it and push it fully back into place — sometimes the sensor is just dirty.
2. Clean the condenser or second filter Unplug the dryer first. If your model has a removable condenser (see the manual), take it out and rinse it under lukewarm water until the lint is gone — no sharp tools. On heat-pump models the heat exchanger is fixed: clean only the second (sponge) filter.
3. Check the drain hose If the dryer drains through a hose, make sure the hose isn't kinked or blocked.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Photograph the code Take a photo of the code together with the dryer's brand and model (from the label on the door frame or the back) — it helps the technician identify the fault and the part.
2. Power reset Unplug it for 5 minutes, then plug it back in — a temporary code sometimes clears.
3. Check the manual Most manuals include a code table, and the code may turn out to be something simple, like the door or the filter.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Unplug immediately Unplug the dryer and let it cool down before any check. Don't run the dryer while it is extremely hot. If there is heavy smoke or fire, don't open the door — call the fire brigade on 180.
2. Clear the air path Once it has cooled: clean the lint filter, the vent hose (on vented dryers) and the condenser if your model's condenser is removable. This often solves the problem.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Clean the catch Clean lint or hair out of the door catch — sometimes dirt stops the door closing fully.
2. Check the hinges Inspect the door hinges; if they are loose, tighten them with the correct screws.

Safe checks before you call a technician

1. Inspect the tank Unplug the dryer first and dry the floor. Take out the tank and look for cracks — a cracked tank needs replacing.
2. Check the drain hose If the dryer drains through a hose, make sure it is firmly connected and not loose.