Why Does My Tumble Dryer Keep Blowing Thermostats

Why Does My Tumble Dryer Keep Blowing Thermostats

Roughly 60% of households in the UK own a tumble dryer, enabling them to dry their washing whatever the weather. But, as with all appliances faults can develop, meaning the appliance no longer works as it should.

In this post, we look at the role the heat thermostat plays in your tumble dryer as well as the reasons for why the part can trip / blow, preventing you from getting the most out of your appliance.

The Role of the Tumble Dryer Thermostat:

The heat thermostat on your tumble dryer is there to monitor and regulate the temperature being produced by the appliance when it is in use. If the thermostat isn’t able to do this, it will trip as a safety precaution.

A thermostat failing / tripping is one of the most common faults with the appliance – whatever make and model you have – and the most common reason for a thermostat failure is user error, and this usually boils down to operator error or poor maintenance.

Dirty Lint Filter:

All tumble dryers will come with manufacturer guidance which states the filters must be cleaned after every use – and this is for good reason. A dirty or clogged tumble dryer filter will not only prevent the appliance from working effectively, but it can also result your tumble dryer becoming a fire risk, if it overheats.

A further issue associated with clogged filters is that they can cause the thermostats to trip. This is because as the filter becomes clogged, the airflow around the appliance is reduced due to cooler air not being circulated. If the temperature rises too high in the tumble dryer, the thermostat will trip.

Removing and cleaning the filter(s) in your tumble dryer isn’t a difficult or a time consuming task, but it is one which needs to be carried out every time you use the appliance, if you want it to continue to work effectively and efficiently – and in the video below, we explain how to remove the filters from a tumble dryer.

Opening During Use:

Opening the door whilst the appliance is in use isn’t recommended as it can result in the thermostat tripping and potential further damage being caused to the appliance. However, it is a common reason for the thermostat tripping, particularly as people open the door to check on how their clothes are drying.

By opening the door of your tumble dryer when it is in use will see the air flow stop and the temperature around the element significantly rise, resulting in the thermostat tripping.

Resetting a Thermostat:

If the thermostat on your tumble dryer has tripped, you may be able to reset it by pressing a reset button which will be located somewhere around the back of the appliance. Depending on the make and model of your tumble dryer, the reset button will be located either on the back panel of your appliance, or behind the back panel.

In the case of the latter, the panel will need to be removed by unscrewing the screws which are holding it in place. Once the reset button has been located, press it in. If the thermostat did trip, you should hear a click. If the click isn’t audible, and the dryer still has no heat there may be another problem.

How to Replace the Thermostat:

Before you replace the thermostat on your tumble dryer, we recommend you test the continuity of the part using a multimeter – and this is relatively straightforward to do. Simply, place both probes on either end of the thermostat to get a continuity reading. For a working thermostat you should be getting a reading of zero, or as close to zero as possible.

If the reading you’re receiving is high, the part will need to be replaced, and although this can be a tricky repair to carry out, it can be done by following the advice outlined in the video below, which although explains how to replace the front thermostat on a Beko tumble dryer – the information provided can be used to replace the thermostat on most models.

By understanding why the thermostat on your tumble dryer is tripping, you can take the required steps to prevent such issues occurring, helping you to keep your tumble dryer running effectively and efficiently for longer.

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