What E72 actually means
The temperature sensor on the drying condenser is giving a reading the machine can't believe, so it abandons the drying heat.
E72 is reported by washer-dryers. The NTC sensor fitted to the drying condenser has gone open circuit or short circuit, so the control board sees a voltage outside its allowed range and can no longer tell how hot the drying air is. Rather than risk running a heater blind, it skips the heating part of the drying phase — washing usually still completes, but clothes come out damp.
What usually causes it
- Failed NTC temperature sensor on the drying condenser
- Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring to that sensor
- A loose or corroded plug at the sensor connection
- Fault on the main control board reading the sensor
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.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then restart — an occasional reading glitch will clear
- Run a wash-only programme (no drying) to confirm washing still works normally
- Make sure the machine isn't cramped against a wall or in an airless cupboard, as poor ventilation makes drying faults worse
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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.
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