Tumble Dryer Not Heating? Your Guide to a Quick Fix

It’s a familiar story. You open your tumble dryer door expecting a pile of warm, dry clothes, only to be met with a cold, damp load. It's a common and frustrating problem, but don't panic just yet. As the UK's go-to specialist for appliance repairs, the Go Assist team sees this issue daily, and the good news is, it's often an easy fix.

A tumble dryer that stops heating is usually down to a handful of specific issues, many of which you can sort out yourself without a costly call-out fee. It's often a simple maintenance oversight or a component like a thermostat or heating element that's given up the ghost.

Why Has My Tumble Dryer Stopped Getting Hot?

Before you start pricing up new machines, let's get to the bottom of why your dryer has gone cold. This guide will walk you through the most likely culprits, from simple fixes to identifying which part has failed. And if you run into a more complex repair, the skilled engineers at Go Assist are always here to lend a hand.

Often, the problem boils down to a lack of airflow. When air can't circulate properly, the machine overheats and trips a safety device to prevent a fire. The main suspects are usually the thermostat, the thermal cut-out (often called the TOC), and the heating element itself.

From our experience with UK service calls, it nearly always comes back to two things: a faulty thermostat or a tripped TOC. That TOC is a safety feature, and it usually only trips when the machine gets dangerously hot – a direct result of blocked lint filters.

Key Takeaway: A blocked lint filter is the number one cause of a tumble dryer not heating. When airflow is restricted, the appliance overheats, tripping a safety switch called the thermal cut-out. This instantly kills the heat to prevent a fire.

Let’s quickly look at the most common reasons your dryer is running but not heating up.

Common Reasons Your Dryer Isn't Heating

Most of these issues can be avoided with a little TLC.

Keeping on top of regular cleaning and simple checks can prevent most of these headaches from ever starting. For more advice on keeping your appliances running smoothly, check out our guide on avoiding common appliance faults with regular maintenance.

Start with These Simple Checks and Fixes

Before you start pulling your dryer apart, let’s make sure we’ve ruled out the usual suspects. More often than not, a tumble dryer that’s stopped heating is down to a minor issue you can sort out in minutes, with no tools required.

First up, take a quick look at the machine's settings. It’s surprisingly easy to accidentally select a "cool air" or "no heat" cycle. It's also worth checking that the power socket is actually working – just plug in a small lamp or your phone charger to test it.

Clean the Lint Filter Thoroughly

By far the most common reason for a non-heating dryer is a clogged lint filter. When fluff and lint build up, they choke off the airflow, which quickly causes the machine to overheat. When this happens, a safety device called the thermal cut-out kicks in and shuts off the heating element to prevent a fire.

Fixing this is simple. Pull out the filter and peel off the thick layer of lint. For a proper clean, it's a good idea to give it a gentle scrub with a soft brush and some warm, soapy water. This gets rid of any sticky residue left by fabric softener. Just be sure to let it dry completely before you put it back in.

Pro Tip: Getting into the habit of cleaning the lint filter after every single load is the best thing you can do to prevent most dryer heating problems from ever happening.

Always check these simple things before assuming you’re in for a complex repair. Understanding the common dryer vent clogged symptoms can also give you a clue as to what’s going on.

If these quick fixes don't get the heat back on, it might be time to call in an expert. You can book one of our trusted engineers for a fast, reliable tumble dryer repair and get your appliance back to its best.

How to Pinpoint the Faulty Component

If the simple checks haven't managed to get the heat back on, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and investigate the internal parts. But before you do anything else, always unplug the dryer from the mains power. Your safety is the number one priority, no exceptions.

Inside your dryer, there are three main culprits when the heat disappears: the thermal cut-out (often called the TOC), the thermostat, and the heating element itself. They’re usually grouped together on a housing at the back of the machine, so you'll probably need to take the back panel off to get a look at them.

Testing the Components

Once you’ve got access, a multimeter is your best friend for this job. You’ll want to set it to the continuity setting – it’s usually the one with a sound wave or diode symbol. This test tells you if electricity can flow through a component correctly.

• Thermal Cut-Out & Thermostat: Gently disconnect the two wires from the component you're checking. Now, touch a multimeter probe to each of the two terminals. A clear beep means it’s working fine. Silence? That tells you the component has failed and is the reason your dryer is cold.
• Heating Element: You'll do the same continuity test across the element's terminals. While you're there, give the coils a good visual inspection. If you see any obvious breaks, dark spots, or signs of burning, the element is definitely broken and will need replacing.

Identifying the exact faulty part is crucial. Guesswork can lead to buying unnecessary parts and wasting time. This simple continuity test removes all doubt and points you directly to the source of the problem.

For a deeper dive into diagnosing issues, our guide on common tumble dryer problems and their solutions can provide more detailed insights.

Replacing a Tumble Dryer Heating Element

So, your multimeter test has pointed the finger at a broken heating element. If that's the reason your tumble dryer isn't heating, the next logical move is to replace it. This is definitely a job a confident DIY-er can tackle, but before you do anything else, you must unplug the dryer from the wall socket. I can't stress this enough – never start working on the inside of an appliance while it’s still connected to the mains.

With the power safely off, you'll need to get inside. This usually means removing a rear or side panel to get to the element's housing. The exact method can differ quite a bit between models, so a quick search online for your specific dryer's service guide can be a real lifesaver here.

Safely Swapping the Element

Once you've got access and can see the old element, the process itself is pretty straightforward. You'll need to carefully disconnect the wires attached to the old part.

Here’s a top tip from experience: before you disconnect anything, grab your phone and take a quick photo. This simple trick gives you a perfect 'before' picture and can prevent a massive headache when it's time to connect the new element.

After you've documented the wiring, you can unscrew the old element from its housing, slide it out, and fit the new one in its place. Now, refer back to your photo and reconnect the wires exactly as they were. All that's left is to reattach the access panel, plug the dryer back in, and run a cycle to test your handiwork.

Important Reminder: Working with electrical components always comes with risks. If you feel even slightly unsure or out of your depth at any point, it’s always safer to call a professional. A mistake could be dangerous and end up costing you more in the long run.

Feeling like this is a bit beyond your comfort zone? There’s no shame in that, and no need to take a risk. You can easily book a certified engineer for a professional and safe tumble dryer repair with Go Assist online.

Knowing When to Call a Professional Engineer

While getting hands-on with a DIY repair can be satisfying, there are definitely times when calling in a professional is the smartest and safest move. If you've cleaned every filter and vent but your dryer is still overheating, it's often a sign of a more complex, underlying problem.

Anything involving complex electrics, like suspected wiring faults or issues with the main control board (PCB), is firmly in professional territory. Attempting these repairs without the right training isn't just tricky—it can be downright dangerous. A qualified engineer has the expertise to diagnose these intricate issues accurately and get the job done right the first time.

The Unseen Dangers

It’s easy to underestimate the risks, but tumble dryers can be a significant fire hazard if faulty components or lint build-up aren't addressed. It's a serious issue.

Between 2004 and 2015, a massive recall involved an estimated 5.2 million tumble dryers in the UK from several well-known brands. The cause? A design flaw that allowed lint to build up on heating elements, which was linked to approximately 750 reported fires. This really highlights why electrical safety is paramount. You can learn more about the UK government's findings on tumble dryer safety to get a clearer picture of the risks involved.

If you’re facing a tricky electrical fault or you just aren't 100% confident in your diagnosis, don't risk it. A professional repair doesn't just fix the immediate problem; it ensures your appliance runs safely and efficiently. For more tips, check out our guide on how to boost the energy efficiency of your tumble dryer.

For complete peace of mind, our nationwide Go Assist tumble dryer repairs page is the quickest way to book a certified engineer you can trust.

Your Top Tumble Dryer Questions Answered

To wrap things up, let's go through a few of the questions our engineers hear all the time from UK homeowners. These quick answers should give you a better idea of what might be going on with your machine.

Why Is My Tumble Dryer Turning but Not Heating?

This is probably the most common call-out we get. If the drum is happily spinning away but your clothes are still stone cold, you can be sure the problem lies with the heating system itself. The motor and belt are clearly doing their job.

Nine times out of ten, the culprit is a tripped thermal cut-out (often because of a blocked lint filter), a faulty thermostat, or a completely failed heating element. Your first port of call should always be giving the lint filter a really thorough clean. After that, have a look at the back of the machine – many models have a small red reset button you can press.

Can a Blocked Vent Hose Stop My Dryer from Heating?

Yes, absolutely. For vented dryers, a clogged or kinked hose is a major fire hazard and a common cause of heating failure. The hose is designed to expel hot, damp air, but if it's blocked, that air gets trapped inside the drum.

This causes the internal temperature to skyrocket, which triggers the thermal cut-out. It's a safety feature designed to shut off the heating element before things get dangerous. Always make sure your vent hose is free of lint and has a clear, straight run to the outside.

There are roughly 17 million tumble dryers in homes across the UK, and while modern heat pump models are more efficient and last about 60% longer, many of us still have older condenser or vented machines. These are far more prone to airflow problems. If you're interested in the technical details, you can discover more insights about household tumble dryer standards in the UK government's official report.

As a ballpark figure, a professional repair for a dryer that won't heat usually costs between £70 and £120 in the UK. The final price depends on the specific fault and the cost of the replacement part. For an accurate price, an engineer will need to diagnose the problem first.

If you’ve tried all the simple fixes and your dryer is still giving you the cold shoulder, it’s probably time to get an expert in for a safe and reliable repair.

For a fast, guaranteed fix from a certified local engineer, look no further than Go Assist. You can book your service in just a few minutes on our tumble dryer repairs page and we'll get your machine back to its best.