Tumble Dryer Stops Or Cuts Out Mid-Cycle

What's happening?

Makers give a short list of reasons a dryer stops early. Bosch says a moisture sensor that has become covered with limescale or residue can stop the programme before the clothes are dry, and that the fluff filter should be cleaned after every cycle. Hoover and Zanussi say a very small load, or a single item, on an auto-sensing programme can make the machine switch off after a few minutes, and to use a timed programme instead.

What usually causes it?

• A moisture sensor coated with limescale or fabric softener residue
• A clogged fluff filter, which Bosch says should be cleaned after every cycle
• A very small load on an auto-sensing programme, which ends early
• A full water tank on a condenser dryer: Zanussi says the appliance will stop the cycle if the water tank is full

Is it dangerous?

Medium. If the dryer smells of burning, stop using it until an engineer has checked it. Bosch says to clean the fluff filter after every cycle.

Can I fix it myself?

Empty the water tank if your dryer has one, and check the water tank full indicator, as Zanussi advises. Clean the fluff filter, rinse it and let it dry. Clean the moisture sensor in the door area with a coarse sponge, not steel wool, as Bosch advises. Dry small loads on a timed programme: Zanussi describes extending the time in ten-minute steps.

When should you call an appliance repair engineer?

Call an appliance engineer when the filter, sensor, water tank and programme are right and it still stops, or when it smells of burning.

What will the appliance repair engineer actually do?

• Check the filter, the water tank and the airflow, and clear any blockage
• Clean or replace the moisture sensor
• Test the thermostat, thermal cutout and door switch
• Replace failed parts and run a full cycle to confirm

Who fixes this

• Tumble dryer repair

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. Bosch: tumble dryer keeps stopping
2. Zanussi: tumble dryer stops after a few minutes of the cycle
3. Hoover: tumble dryer switches off after a few minutes of use