Tumble Dryer Stopping Mid-Cycle
If your tumble dryer is stopping mid-cycle, the appliance has detected a fault and paused or abandoned the programme as a precaution. In many cases this is caused by a simple maintenance issue that can be resolved at home before calling an engineer.
View all tumble dryer error codes
Find Your Brand
Select your tumble dryer brand below for a specific guide including the relevant error codes for your appliance.
Why Is My Tumble Dryer Stopping Mid-Cycle?
When a tumble dryer stops mid-cycle it is usually because the appliance has detected a fault and stopped to protect itself. The machine may display an error code — check the brand-specific guide above for the relevant codes for your appliance. The most common causes are a blocked lint filter, a full water tank or the machine overheating.
Common Causes
Blocked lint filter
The most common cause. A blocked lint filter restricts airflow and causes the machine to overheat, triggering an automatic stop. The lint filter must be cleaned after every single drying cycle.
Full water tank (condenser and heat pump dryers)
If the condensate water tank fills up during a cycle, the machine will stop and display an alert. Empty the tank and restart the cycle.
Overheating
If the machine overheats — most commonly due to a blocked filter or condenser — the thermal safety device will trip and stop the cycle. Allow the machine to cool down fully before restarting.
Blocked condenser (condenser and heat pump dryers)
A clogged condenser reduces airflow and can cause the machine to overheat and stop mid-cycle.
Door opening mid-cycle
If the door is not firmly latched or the door switch is faulty, the machine will stop immediately as a safety precaution.
Power supply interruption
A brief power cut or voltage fluctuation can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle.
Faulty control board or thermostat
A fault with the control board or thermostat can cause the machine to stop unpredictably at any point in the cycle.
Checks To Try Before Calling An Engineer
Clean the lint filter
Remove the lint filter and clean it thoroughly. This should be done after every single cycle.
Empty the water tank
Pull out the condensate water tank, empty it fully and refit it firmly.
Clean the condenser
Remove the condenser unit, rinse it thoroughly under running water, allow it to dry completely and refit it firmly.
Allow the machine to cool
If the machine has overheated, leave it for at least 30 minutes before attempting to restart. Ensure the room is adequately ventilated.
Check the door
Open and firmly reclose the door, ensuring it latches correctly before restarting.
Reset the machine
Unplug the appliance from the mains and wait at least two minutes. Plug back in and retry the cycle.
When To Contact A Professional
If the machine continues to stop mid-cycle after all the above checks, there is likely a fault with the thermostat, thermal cutout or control board that requires professional diagnosis and repair. Internal components should only be inspected or repaired by trained professionals.
Related Tumble Dryer Fault Guides
Tumble Dryer Not Drying Clothes Properly
Tumble Dryer Taking Too Long To Dry
Related Guides
Tumble dryer error codes — all brands
Washing machine stopping mid-cycle
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