What E63 actually means
The dryer's overheat thermostat on the heater has tripped, so the machine has cut the heat and stopped the programme.
The heating unit has a self-resetting safety thermostat fitted to it. When the air around the heater gets hotter than it should, that thermostat opens, the control board sees the heat supply drop out and logs E63. The board switches the power to the heating unit off; if the fault clears the cycle can carry on, but if it keeps happening over a few attempts the machine moves on to reporting E62 instead.
What E63 looks like on a General tumble dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a General tumble dryer, E63 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Not drying
- Blowing cold air
- Clothes still damp at the end
- Takes hours to dry
- Not drying properly
- Takes hours to dry a load
- Getting hot but the clothes stay damp
- Keeps saying empty the water container
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
- Restricted airflow through the machine making the heater run too hot — a clogged fluff filter or blocked ducting is the usual starting point
- The safety thermostat itself has failed or become unreliable (on this heating unit it is replaced as part of the heater assembly)
- A fault in the heating unit
- Damaged, loose or wrongly connected wiring to the heater or thermostats
- Main control board fault
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.
- Clean the fluff filter thoroughly — including under any mesh — and rinse it if it feels waxy from fabric conditioner
- If your model has a condenser or lower filter accessible from the front without tools, take it out and rinse it clear of lint
- Make sure the vent hose (if fitted) is not kinked, crushed behind the machine or blocked at the outside vent
- Give the machine room to breathe — pull it out from a tight recess and keep the room ventilated rather than shut in a small cupboard
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and start a cycle to see whether the fault returns
Which General models show E63
E63 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.
AEGT65170AV
Common questions about General E63
What does E63 mean on a General tumble dryer?
The dryer's overheat thermostat on the heater has tripped, so the machine has cut the heat and stopped the programme. The heating unit has a self-resetting safety thermostat fitted to it. When the air around the heater gets hotter than it should, that thermostat opens, the control board sees the heat supply drop out and logs E63. The board switches the power to the heating unit off; if the fault clears the cycle can carry on, but if it keeps happening over a few attempts the machine moves on to reporting E62 instead.
Can I fix General E63 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Clean the fluff filter thoroughly — including under any mesh — and rinse it if it feels waxy from fabric conditioner.
- If your model has a condenser or lower filter accessible from the front without tools, take it out and rinse it clear of lint.
- Make sure the vent hose (if fitted) is not kinked, crushed behind the machine or blocked at the outside vent.
- Give the machine room to breathe — pull it out from a tight recess and keep the room ventilated rather than shut in a small cupboard.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and start a cycle to see whether the fault returns.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair General E63?
£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 E63?
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 General tumble dryer codes
- General E64 — The dryer has flagged a problem with the thermostat on its h…
- General E62 — The dryer has found a fault in the circuit that switches the…