What is actually happening
On a conventional dryer this is usually a failed element or a tripped thermal cut-out, and the cut-out normally trips because airflow was restricted — so replacing the part without clearing the fluff simply repeats the fault. On a heat pump dryer there is no element at all, and a dryer that runs a full cycle without heat and reports nothing is a different diagnosis entirely.
The General fault codes that point at this
A General tumble dryer will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to not heating:
- E62 — The dryer has found a fault in the circuit that switches the heater on and off, so it has shut the heating down.
- E63 — The dryer's overheat thermostat on the heater has tripped, so the machine has cut the heat and stopped the programme.
- E64 — The dryer has flagged a problem with the thermostat on its heating element, and it has shut the heat down.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a General tumble dryer
- A failed heating element
- A tripped thermal cut-out, usually caused by blocked airflow
- A blocked lint filter, condenser or vent hose restricting air
- On heat pump models, a refrigerant or compressor fault rather than an element
- A failed thermostat or sensor
What you can safely check yourself
- Clean the lint filter, and on a condenser model pull out and rinse the condenser block
- Check the vent hose is not crushed, kinked or full of fluff
- Note whether it is a heat pump model — the diagnosis and the cost are quite different
Still not heating?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £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 engineers work on General machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my General tumble dryer not heating?
The drum turns and the cycle runs, but the clothes come out cold and damp. On a conventional dryer this is usually a failed element or a tripped thermal cut-out, and the cut-out normally trips because airflow was restricted — so replacing the part without clearing the fluff simply repeats the fault. On a heat pump dryer there is no element at all, and a dryer that runs a full cycle without heat and reports nothing is a different diagnosis entirely.
Can I fix a General tumble dryer not heating myself?
Clean the lint filter, and on a condenser model pull out and rinse the condenser block. Check the vent hose is not crushed, kinked or full of fluff. Note whether it is a heat pump model — the diagnosis and the cost are quite different. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
What General error codes mean not heating?
General tumble dryers report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not heating are E62, E63, E64. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a General tumble dryer repair cost?
£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.
Other General tumble dryer faults
- tumble dryer not drying the clothes
- tumble dryer drum not turning
- tumble dryer making a noise
- tumble dryer will not start
- tumble dryer burning smell
- tumble dryer keeps stopping