What E64 actually means
The dryer has flagged a problem with the thermostat on its heating element, and it has shut the heat down.
The heating element has a thermostat fitted to it that keeps an eye on how hot things are getting. When the control board sees a reading it doesn't trust — or no reading at all — it logs E64 and cuts the heating rather than risk letting the element run unchecked. In practice the owner sees a cycle that runs the drum but leaves the load damp, or a cycle that stops early.
What E64 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, E64 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
- The thermostat on the heating element has failed
- Restricted airflow making the element run hotter than it should — blocked lint filter, condenser or vent hose
- A damaged or loose connection in the wiring to the thermostat
- A fault on the main control board misreading the thermostat
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 lint filter thoroughly — a felted-over filter is the single most common cause of overheating faults on these dryers
- Check and rinse the condenser filter if your model has one, and clear any fluff from its housing
- If it's a vented model, make sure the hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine or clogged, and that the outside vent is clear
- Give the machine plenty of air — pull it out from a tight alcove and don't run it in a sealed cupboard
- Switch it off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a fresh cycle to see whether the code returns
Which General models show E64
E64 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 E64
What does E64 mean on a General tumble dryer?
The dryer has flagged a problem with the thermostat on its heating element, and it has shut the heat down. The heating element has a thermostat fitted to it that keeps an eye on how hot things are getting. When the control board sees a reading it doesn't trust — or no reading at all — it logs E64 and cuts the heating rather than risk letting the element run unchecked. In practice the owner sees a cycle that runs the drum but leaves the load damp, or a cycle that stops early.
Can I fix General E64 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Clean the lint filter thoroughly — a felted-over filter is the single most common cause of overheating faults on these dryers.
- Check and rinse the condenser filter if your model has one, and clear any fluff from its housing.
- If it's a vented model, make sure the hose isn't kinked, crushed behind the machine or clogged, and that the outside vent is clear.
- Give the machine plenty of air — pull it out from a tight alcove and don't run it in a sealed cupboard.
- Switch it off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a fresh cycle to see whether the code returns.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair General E64?
£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 E64?
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 General tumble dryer codes
- General E62 — The dryer has found a fault in the circuit that switches the…
- General E63 — The dryer's overheat thermostat on the heater has tripped, s…