When the tumble dryer stops, the washing piles up fast, especially in a Highveld summer when afternoon storms rule out the washing line. We repair tumble dryers at homes across Johannesburg, whether they sit on top of the washing machine, under a counter or in a garage. The technician finds the fault, explains the repair and tells you the cost before any work starts.
Tumble dryers are straightforward machines. A drum, a belt, a motor, a heater and a handful of safety cut-outs do most of the work, and every one of them can be replaced. A dryer that's otherwise sound is usually well worth fixing.
Common tumble dryer faults we fix
Turning but not heating
Cold air usually means a failed heating element, a blown thermal fuse or cut-out, or a faulty thermostat. On a heat-pump dryer, a clogged condenser or a heat-pump fault is more likely.
Drum not turning
If the motor hums but the drum stays still, the drive belt has usually snapped or slipped. A worn idler pulley or a motor fault are the other causes.
Smells like burning
Stop the dryer and switch it off at the wall. Lint build-up in the filter, the vent or around the heater is the usual cause. Have it checked before you use it again.
Taking far too long
A full lint filter, a kinked or blocked vent hose, a clogged condenser or a faulty moisture sensor all make a dryer run cycle after cycle.
Won't start
Check the plug point first. On condenser dryers, a full water tank stops the cycle. Otherwise, a door switch, the start switch or a blown thermal fuse is the usual fault.
Squealing or thumping
Worn drum rollers, a dry idler pulley or worn drum bearings make a dryer noisy. Caught early, they're simple to replace.
Is it worth repairing a tumble dryer?
Usually, yes. Belts, elements, thermal fuses, thermostats, rollers and door switches are everyday repairs that cost far less than a new dryer. The pricier jobs are the motor, the control board, and the heat pump on a heat-pump model. On an older dryer that needs one of those, compare the price first. Our repair or replace check can help.
Vented, condenser or heat pump?
A vented dryer pushes damp air out through a hose, so the hose has to stay short, straight and clear. A condenser dryer turns the damp into water that collects in a tank or drains away, and its condenser needs regular rinsing. A heat-pump dryer is the most economical to run, but it relies on clean filters and a clean condenser to work properly. We repair all three.
Lint: the safety bit
Lint is flammable, and a dryer that can't breathe runs hot. To keep yours safe and quick:
- Empty the lint filter after every load.
- Check the vent hose every few months for kinks, crushing and lint build-up.
- On condenser and heat-pump dryers, rinse the condenser as the manual describes.
- Don't run the dryer while you're out of the house or asleep.
- If it smells of burning, stop it, switch off at the wall and leave the door closed while it cools.
Where your dryer stands matters
Tumble dryers need air. One squeezed into a cupboard, or stacked on a washing machine without a proper stacking kit, runs hotter and wears its belt, rollers and heater faster. Leave space around the back and sides, keep a vented dryer's hose as short and straight as you can, and make sure a stacked dryer is fixed in place so it can't walk off the washing machine during a spin.
No call-out fee when we repair it.If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. The technician finds the fault and explains the repair before any work starts, so you decide whether to go ahead.
Book a repairTumble dryer repair questions
Why is my tumble dryer turning but not heating?
Usually a failed heating element, a blown thermal fuse or a faulty thermostat. A blocked lint filter or vent can trip the safety cut-out, so clear those first. If it still runs cold, book a technician.
Why are my clothes still damp after a full drying cycle?
Most often the lint filter is clogged, the vent hose is long, kinked or blocked, or the condenser on a condenser dryer needs cleaning. An overloaded drum, or washing that wasn't spun well, slows drying too. Clean the filters and the hose and try a smaller load. If the clothes still come out damp, book a technician.
Why does my tumble dryer smell like burning?
Stop the dryer, switch it off at the wall and let it cool with the door shut. A burning smell usually comes from lint that has built up around the heater or in the vent, but it can also be a slipping belt or an overheating motor. Don't use it again until it has been checked. Book a technician.
Why is my tumble dryer making a noise?
A squeal or a thump usually means worn drum rollers, a worn belt or a tired idler pulley. Grinding can be a bearing, or something caught in the drum like a coin or a bra wire. Check the drum and the filter for loose items first. The worn parts are standard repairs, so book a technician before they wear any further.
What is the average cost of repairing a tumble dryer?
It depends on the part. A belt, a thermal fuse or a door switch is a small job. A motor, a control board or a heat-pump fault costs more. The technician tells you the price before any work starts. No call-out fee when we repair it. If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. See how our prices work.
Is it worth fixing a tumble dryer?
Usually. The common faults, such as a broken belt, a failed element or a blown thermal fuse, are straightforward repairs. A motor or a control board on an old dryer is the case to compare with a new one. A dryer that keeps overheating may only have a blocked vent or a lint build-up, which needs clearing either way. Our repair or replace check helps.
How do I reset my tumble dryer?
Switch it off at the wall, clean the lint filter (and the condenser and water tank on a condenser dryer), and leave it for ten minutes to cool. Most dryers have no reset button: the safety cut-out resets itself once the dryer cools, unless it's a one-time thermal fuse that has blown. If it won't start or heat after that, book a technician.
Why won't my tumble dryer drum turn?
If the motor hums but the drum stays still, the drive belt has probably snapped or slipped off. If nothing happens at all, check that the door is fully shut, because the door switch stops the drum, and that the filter and water tank are in place. A belt is one of the more affordable dryer repairs: book a technician.
