Zanussi E72 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 E72 actually means

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its two temperature sensors — the one the board calls NTC2 — so it won't carry on drying.

Zanussi dryers use NTC thermistors to track air temperature and decide how hot the heater runs and when the load is dry. When the control board sees a reading from the second sensor that is out of range or missing altogether, it flags E72 and halts rather than heat blind. The companion code E71 covers the first sensor and puts the machine into a forced cooling cycle, so you may see the drum turn with no heat before it stops.

What E72 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, E72 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 NTC2 temperature sensor itself has failed
Damaged, chafed or disconnected wiring between the sensor and the board
A loose plug on the sensor connection
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.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a cycle — occasionally a one-off reading trips the code and it clears
Clean the door filter and, if your model has one, the condenser filter behind the lower flap, so restricted airflow isn't pushing temperatures around
Make sure the machine isn't jammed hard against a wall and that any vent hose is not kinked or crushed

Common questions about Zanussi E72

What does E72 mean on a Zanussi tumble dryer?

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its two temperature sensors — the one the board calls NTC2 — so it won't carry on drying. Zanussi dryers use NTC thermistors to track air temperature and decide how hot the heater runs and when the load is dry. When the control board sees a reading from the second sensor that is out of range or missing altogether, it flags E72 and halts rather than heat blind. The companion code E71 covers the first sensor and puts the machine into a forced cooling cycle, so you may see the drum turn with no heat before it stops.

Can I fix Zanussi E72 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a cycle — occasionally a one-off reading trips the code and it clears.
Clean the door filter and, if your model has one, the condenser filter behind the lower flap, so restricted airflow isn't pushing temperatures around.
Make sure the machine isn't jammed hard against a wall and that any vent hose is not kinked or crushed.

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

How much does it cost to repair Zanussi E72?

£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 E72?

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 E72 error — tumble dryer