Zanussi E71 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 E71 actually means

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its temperature sensors, so it cuts the heat and runs a cooling cycle instead of drying.

NTC1 is one of the thermistors the control board uses to track air temperature inside the dryer. When the reading goes out of range or disappears altogether, the board can no longer tell how hot the drum air is, so rather than risk heating blind it drops into a forced cooling cycle and flags E71. The usual complaint is a cycle that runs but comes to an end with the load barely warm and still damp.

What E71 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, E71 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 NTC1 temperature sensor itself has failed
A broken or corroded wire or loose plug on the sensor circuit
Heavy lint and fluff build-up smothering the sensor and airflow
A fault on the main electronic control board

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 in the door opening thoroughly — wipe it rather than only tapping it out, as a fine film can build up
On condenser models, take out and rinse the condenser filter/unit at the base of the machine and clear fluff from its housing
Check the vent hose (vented models) is not kinked, crushed or blocked
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and start a fresh cycle to see whether the code returns

Common questions about Zanussi E71

What does E71 mean on a Zanussi tumble dryer?

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its temperature sensors, so it cuts the heat and runs a cooling cycle instead of drying. NTC1 is one of the thermistors the control board uses to track air temperature inside the dryer. When the reading goes out of range or disappears altogether, the board can no longer tell how hot the drum air is, so rather than risk heating blind it drops into a forced cooling cycle and flags E71. The usual complaint is a cycle that runs but comes to an end with the load barely warm and still damp.

Can I fix Zanussi E71 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Clean the lint filter in the door opening thoroughly — wipe it rather than only tapping it out, as a fine film can build up.
On condenser models, take out and rinse the condenser filter/unit at the base of the machine and clear fluff from its housing.
Check the vent hose (vented models) is not kinked, crushed or blocked.
Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power 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 Zanussi E71?

£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 E71?

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 E71 error — tumble dryer