Zanussi E66 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 E66 actually means

The fan that blows air through the drum has got too hot and its built-in overheat protection has cut in, so the dryer has stopped.

Zanussi dryers on the Env06 control board watch the fan motor, and E66 is logged when the motor's thermal cut-out opens or the board cannot see the motor running properly. The fan is what moves warm air through the drum, so once it drops out the machine will not carry on heating and drying. In practice you will usually notice clothes coming out damp, or the cycle stopping part-way through with the code flashing (six green flashes followed by red ones on some fascias).

What E66 looks like on a Zanussi tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Zanussi tumble dryer, E66 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

Blocked airflow making the fan motor run hot \u2014 clogged filters or condenser
Fan motor worn or seized, so it draws too much current and overheats
A disconnected or damaged wiring connection at the fan motor
Failed triac on the control board that drives the fan motor

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 and leave it an hour so the motor's thermal protection can cool and reset.
Clean the door filter and any secondary fluff filter thoroughly \u2014 a film of fabric softener residue restricts air even when the filter looks clean.
If it is a condenser dryer, take the condenser block out of its housing at the front, rinse it through and refit it.
Check the vent hose (vented models) is not kinked, crushed behind the machine or blocked with lint, and that the outside outlet is clear.
Make sure the dryer has some space around it and is not drawing in its own hot air from a tight cupboard.

Common questions about Zanussi E66

What does E66 mean on a Zanussi tumble dryer?

The fan that blows air through the drum has got too hot and its built-in overheat protection has cut in, so the dryer has stopped. Zanussi dryers on the Env06 control board watch the fan motor, and E66 is logged when the motor's thermal cut-out opens or the board cannot see the motor running properly. The fan is what moves warm air through the drum, so once it drops out the machine will not carry on heating and drying. In practice you will usually notice clothes coming out damp, or the cycle stopping part-way through with the code flashing (six green flashes followed by red ones on some fascias).

Can I fix Zanussi E66 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall and leave it an hour so the motor's thermal protection can cool and reset.
Clean the door filter and any secondary fluff filter thoroughly \u2014 a film of fabric softener residue restricts air even when the filter looks clean.
If it is a condenser dryer, take the condenser block out of its housing at the front, rinse it through and refit it.
Check the vent hose (vented models) is not kinked, crushed behind the machine or blocked with lint, and that the outside outlet is clear.
Make sure the dryer has some space around it and is not drawing in its own hot air from a tight cupboard.

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

How much does it cost to repair Zanussi E66?

£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 E66?

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 Zanussi tumble dryer codes

All Zanussi fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

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.

Zanussi E66 error — tumble dryer