Tumble dryer leaking water: causes and safe checks

Check carefully

Quick answer

On condenser and heat pump dryers, water on the floor usually comes from a full or badly seated water tank, or a blockage in the tank slot that stops water collecting. Empty and refit the tank, clean the slot and condenser, and run the dryer in a ventilated room. Some condensation inside the dryer is normal.

Also covers: water under tumble dryer · condenser dryer leaking.

This can be normal

Bosch says some water or condensation in the appliance is not a fault, and some water left in the container is used for self-cleaning.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • Water is leaking from inside the appliance or is near the plug or socket. Don’t touch the plug with wet hands or while standing in water. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Empty the water tank and seat it properly

  1. Condenser and heat pump dryers only. Pull the water tank out slowly and keep it upright. The water may be warm.
  2. Empty it into a sink and push it fully back into place. A tank that isn’t seated properly won’t collect water.
  3. Empty it after every cycle, unless your dryer drains through a hose.

Clean the water tank slot

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  1. With the dryer unplugged, take the water tank out.
  2. Wipe out the slot the tank sits in with a dry cloth and remove any fluff or debris you can reach.
  3. Rinse the tank, check it isn’t cracked, and refit it. A damaged tank needs replacing.

Clean the condenser or heat exchanger Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
Tumble dryer filter, tank and condenser Water tank empty after every cycle Fluff filter in the door opening Condenser cover condenser/heat pump only
Tumble dryer filter, tank and condenser. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Condenser and heat pump dryers only. Open the condenser cover as your manual shows.
  2. Heat pump dryers: remove fluff from the heat exchanger with a damp cloth or a vacuum brush attachment. Wear gloves, because the metal fins are sharp, and don’t bend them.
  3. Condenser dryers: if your model has a removable condenser block, slide it out level so it doesn’t spill, rinse it through over a basin, and refit it.
  4. Close and lock the cover. Check the condenser at least once a month.

Don’t run the dryer with a condenser blocked by fluff.

Check the room temperature and ventilation

  1. Dryers work best in a ventilated room between about 5°C and 35°C.
  2. Don’t run a dryer shut inside an unventilated cupboard. Leave space around it.
  3. In a small room, open a door or window while it runs.

Related problems

More tumble dryer problems and codes, or use the fault finder.

Sources

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We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.