/DIY tumble dryer repairs (part 1)
DIY tumble dryer repairs advice. Help on fixing common tumble dryer faults
Can I fix my own tumble dryer?: Some people can, and some people shouldn't even try. It depends on your competence, and understanding of electricity - especially DIY safety issues. Some tumble dryer breakdowns though are not serious, and can be repaired - if you just know what to do.
You must be aware that electricity can and does kill - even qualified engineers. Never work on an appliance that is not totally unplugged. DIY repair safety and tips The following tumble dryer repair help contains general advice only. It may help to solve some basic tumble dryer faults that don't require an engineer, or to give an idea of how serious a fault may actually be. Never work on a tumble dryer that is still plugged in! Using this advice is at your own risk.
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Common (basic) tumble dryer faults
Tumble dryer won't start
If the tumble dryer wont start, the first thing to establish is whether there is any power to the dryer or not. If there are any indicator lights working then obviously there is power to the dryer, but you can check the socket by plugging in something else. Check the 13 amp fuse in the dryer itself. If the fuse has gone you can try another, but if it goes again there is likely to be a fault that needs an engineer to fix. If you know the fuse has blown or the electric has tripped (because you heard a bang from the dryer) then it needs checking out properly as there may be a short somewhere.
Door switch
If power is getting to the tumble dryer and the socket is definitely OK, then the most common problem with tumble dryers not working is when the door micro switch fails, or the catch on the door that operates the switch either breaks or no longer activates the door switch. Check for broken door catches. There is usually a plastic peg on the door that pushes through a hole in the tumble dryer's casing where the door catch is. Closing the door should operate a simple micro switch. If the plastic peg is broken or bent it might not operate the switch properly. Go to top of page
Tumble dryer runs but the drum doesn't turn
- Belt broken?
- Motor, or start capacitor failed?
Belt broken?
Tumble dryers are normally belt driven, and the drive belts commonly break. This would result in the dryer sounding like it's running (although the sound may be a little different) and when you open the door you can see the drum is not turning.
NOTE: A siezed up drum could also cause similar symptoms but this is more rare, and instead of the tumble dryer sounding relatively normal it's likely to make a humming noise. This humming could be the motor attempting to run but being jammed. A gentle humming accompanied with the drum not turning can also be a motor or capacitor fault. (All dealt with below)
One way to check if the belt has snapped is to turn the drum by hand, normally the drum would be stiff and hard to turn, but if the belt has snapped it will be pretty loose and easy to turn. This method isn't perfect though because you need to know how stiff the drum normally is, and unless you do you can't be sure it isn't right. Another method is to unplug the dryer and take off the lid. The belt should be clearly visible around the drum, and tight fitting. If it is missing, and all you can see is the mark where it used to run then it has broken and fallen inside the machine. If the drive belt is there, carefully lift it to see if it is loose. A broken belt can sometimes stay attached to the drum but when lifted it will just come away.
Replacing the drive belt on a tumble dryer
Fitting a new belt on a tumble dryer is harder than you might think, and considerably more involved than replacing a belt on a washing machine. The problem is that the drum on a tumble dryer is encased between the back and front panels. Removing the back panel on a tumble dryer usually just reveals the heating element (if fitted at the rear) or a metal casing so to replace the belt you normally need to strip down the front panel.
All dryers are different, and some are easier to strip (and more importantly get back together) than others. I would recommend getting an domestic appliance engineer to fit a belt unless you are very confident. [ Related: Find a local appliance repairer in your post code area ]
Motor, or start capacitor failed?
Tumble dryer motors are simple induction motors and often start up using a starting capacitor.
WARNING: Capacitors can hold a nasty electrical charge after the tumble dryer has been unplugged. Don't mess with them unless you know what you are doing.
The symptoms of a faulty motor and a faulty capacitor can be very similar. Sometimes, you can spin the drum by hand through the open door and quickly close the door, if the motor then runs OK until it stops to reverse and then won't start again it may well be a faulty starting capacitor.