What is actually happening
A washer dryer dries by condensing moisture against a flow of cold water rather than venting it, so drying depends on both the heater and the cold water supply working. Lint has nowhere to go in a machine that has no filter you can reach, so it collects internally — and on some makes that shows up as a specific fault code rather than simply poor drying.
The usual causes
- Internal lint build-up restricting airflow, which no accessible filter catches
- A failed drying element or heat pump, depending on the model
- A failed NTC sensor in the drying circuit, often reported as a code
- A restricted cold water feed, so the condenser cannot condense
- Loading past the drying capacity, which is always well below the wash capacity
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything past this point — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the appliance plugged in.
- Check the drying load size against the manual — it is usually about half the wash load, and overloading is the most common cause of all
- Note any code shown during the dry cycle, which identifies it precisely
- Check the cold tap is fully open
Still not drying?
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.
Local engineers covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — same and next-day appointments, and the person who comes out is one of ours, not a subcontractor.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my washer dryer not drying?
The wash is fine but the drying part of the cycle leaves everything damp. A washer dryer dries by condensing moisture against a flow of cold water rather than venting it, so drying depends on both the heater and the cold water supply working. Lint has nowhere to go in a machine that has no filter you can reach, so it collects internally — and on some makes that shows up as a specific fault code rather than simply poor drying.
Can I fix a washer dryer not drying myself?
Check the drying load size against the manual — it is usually about half the wash load, and overloading is the most common cause of all. Note any code shown during the dry cycle, which identifies it precisely. Check the cold tap is fully open. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
How much does it cost to repair a washer dryer not drying?
£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.