Tumble dryer won’t start: causes and safe checks

Check carefully

Quick answer

A tumble dryer that won’t start usually has no power at the socket, a door that isn’t fully shut, the child lock on, or a delay start set. If it stopped part-way through, its overheating protection may have tripped: let it cool for 30 to 60 minutes and clean the filter and condenser.

Also covers: tumble dryer not turning on · tumble dryer no power · tumble dryer dead.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • Another appliance doesn’t work in the same socket, or the plug or socket is hot, scorched or crackling. Stop and call a registered electrician.
  • 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 code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

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

Check the socket and power supply

  1. Only do this if the plug and socket look and feel normal, are dry, and nothing has tripped. If the socket is hot, scorched or crackling, don’t touch it: switch off at the consumer unit and call a registered electrician.
  2. Unplug the appliance and plug a small appliance you know works, such as a lamp, into the same socket.
  3. If the lamp doesn’t work either, the problem is the socket or the household supply. Call a registered electrician.
  4. Plug large appliances straight into a wall socket, never into an extension lead.

Don’t keep resetting a consumer unit switch that trips again. That is a stop sign, not a fix.

Check the door is fully closed

  1. Check no laundry is caught in the door or the latch.
  2. Close the door firmly. The dryer won’t start with the door open.

Check the child lock isn’t on

  1. Look for a padlock or key symbol, or a message such as CL, on the display.
  2. Turn the lock off by pressing and holding the marked button (or two marked buttons together) for about 3 to 5 seconds. Your manual shows which buttons your model uses.
  3. Some models have a mechanical child lock on the door instead. Your manual explains how to release it.

Switch off at the wall and let it rest

  1. If the display shows a code, write it down first.
  2. Switch the appliance off and turn it off at the wall socket.
  3. Leave it off for the time your manual or the manufacturer suggests (see the note below if there is one), then switch on and try again.

For this fault: AEG: disconnect at the socket or circuit breaker for about 5 minutes. Also check Delay Start isn’t switched on.

Don’t repeat this over and over if the code keeps returning. That means there is a fault to diagnose.

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.

Related problems

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

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

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.