Tumble dryer stops mid-cycle: causes and safe checks

Check carefully

Quick answer

A dryer that cuts out part-way through may have tripped its overheating protection because of a blocked filter or condenser: let it cool and clean them. A full water tank stops condenser dryers. Sensor programmes end early when the laundry is nearly dry or the load is tiny. If it keeps cutting out, book an engineer.

Also covers: tumble dryer stops after a few minutes · tumble dryer ends programme early · tumble dryer cutting out.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • You smell burning, see smoke or scorch marks, or the appliance trips your electrics. Stop using it, and switch it off at the wall only if it is safe to reach. Otherwise switch off at the consumer unit.
  • 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.

Let the dryer cool down

  1. If the dryer stopped part-way through a programme, its overheating protection may have switched it off.
  2. Leave it to cool for 30 to 60 minutes with the door open, and clean the fluff filter and condenser before trying again.

If it keeps cutting out, stop using it and book an engineer.

Clean the fluff (lint) filter

  1. Open the door and pull out the fluff filter. On most models it sits in the door opening.
  2. Open it and remove the fluff with your fingers. Use a vacuum cleaner for heavy build-up, and clear fluff from the filter slot and door seal too.
  3. Hold the filter up to the light. If you can’t see through it, residue is blocking it. Wash it under running water and let it dry.
  4. Refit it fully. Do this after every load.

Never run the dryer without the filter fitted.

Replace a torn filter rather than using it.

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.

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.

Check the load size and programme

  1. Don’t overload. The load limit in your manual is the weight of dry laundry.
  2. Spin washing well before drying, and untangle it. Dry thick and thin fabrics separately.
  3. Sensor (automatic) programmes need properly damp laundry. For nearly dry items, use a short timed programme instead.
  4. For damp results on sensor programmes, choose a higher dryness level.

Don’t run the dryer empty or with just one or two dry items, except for the short, supervised heat test on the dryer-not-heating page.

Step-by-step guides

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.