Electrolux E72 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E72 actually means

One of the dryer's temperature sensors (the second NTC probe) is giving a reading the control board doesn't believe, so the machine won't run the cycle normally.

Electrolux dryers use NTC temperature sensors to watch the air temperature and decide when to heat, when to cool and when the load is dry. When the board sees a reading from the second sensor that is impossible \u2014 open circuit or short \u2014 it flags E72 rather than risk heating blind. Depending on when it happens, the dryer may drop into a cooling run and stop, or refuse to continue drying at all.

What E72 looks like on a Electrolux tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux tumble dryer, E72 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

The NTC temperature sensor itself has failed
A loose or damaged connection in the wiring to that sensor
Heavy fluff and dust build-up around the sensor and airflow path
A fault on the main control board (less common)

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on \u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear
Clean the door filter and, if your model has one, the condenser filter, and check the vent hose isn't kinked or crushed if it's a vented model
Make sure the dryer isn't sitting in a hot, poorly ventilated cupboard, which can skew temperature readings

Common questions about Electrolux E72

What does E72 mean on a Electrolux tumble dryer?

One of the dryer's temperature sensors (the second NTC probe) is giving a reading the control board doesn't believe, so the machine won't run the cycle normally. Electrolux dryers use NTC temperature sensors to watch the air temperature and decide when to heat, when to cool and when the load is dry. When the board sees a reading from the second sensor that is impossible \u2014 open circuit or short \u2014 it flags E72 rather than risk heating blind. Depending on when it happens, the dryer may drop into a cooling run and stop, or refuse to continue drying at all.

Can I fix Electrolux E72 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on \u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Clean the door filter and, if your model has one, the condenser filter, and check the vent hose isn't kinked or crushed if it's a vented model.
Make sure the dryer isn't sitting in a hot, poorly ventilated cupboard, which can skew temperature readings.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E72?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E72?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most tumble dryer faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Electrolux tumble dryer codes

All Electrolux fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer not heating

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Electrolux E72 error — tumble dryer