How To Reset The Timer On A Tumble Dryer
Tumble dryers rely on the timer to run a complete drying cycle. It tells the dryer how long to dry your laundry and in many cases it is also linked to the drive motor.
Which means that not only is a faulty timer a nuisance, it can often mean the appliance won’t run a drying cycle at all. If the timer on your tumble dryer isn’t working as it should, and you think it needs to be reset, keep reading.
In this article we look at various ways to reset the timer on a tumble dryer and offer you a brief guide as to what might have caused the timer to stop working in the first place.
How Do You Know The Timer Needs Resetting?
If you have set the timer on your dryer and after the set time, the dryer hasn’t started or keeps running after the timer should have finished, there’s something not right and the timer may need to be reset.
In some cases, the timer finishes and the laundry is still as wet as it was when it entered the drum. Other times the dryer keeps running which could potentially be hazardous as it could over dry your laundry and even cause a fire.
Ways To Reset The Timer On A Tumble Dryer
We always assume the worst when anything mechanical stops functioning as it should. But there’s often a simple explanation and a simple fix as well.
If the timer has stopped working on your tumble dryer it could be something as simple as a software glitch. All that you need to do is reset the timer to get the appliance functioning properly again.
Many tumble dryer manufacturers include a reset button on their appliances for just this purpose. However, not all tumble dryers have reset buttons and those that do vary from brand to brand.
Resetting the timer on many tumble dryers is an easy task but it’s important that you know the correct way to reset the timer on your dryer.
Use The Reset Button
Many dryers have a dedicated reset button on the control panel. If this is true of your appliance, all you need to do is press and hold the reset button for 3 to 5 seconds (or as long as stated in your user manual). The timer should then be reset and ready to use as normal.
Use The Start Button
Some dryers don’t have a dedicated reset button and use the start button to reset the appliance.
This works in much the same way as using the reset button. In as much as you press and hold the start button for 3 to 5 seconds (consult your handbook for specific reset instructions).
Perform A Hard Reset
However, there are other models that don’t have a specific reset button or use the start button to reset the appliance. These need what’s known as a hard reset. This is a simple task which simply requires time. All you need to do is;
- Disconnect the power supply
Remove the plug from the wall socket or switch the circuit breaker to the off position. - Allow 15 to 30 minutes to elapse
Leave the appliance disconnected from the power supply for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow all power to dissipate from the dryer. - Reconnect the power supply
Replace the plug into the wall socket and switch the circuit breaker to the on position. - The dryer is now reset
The dryer has now been successfully reset and should operate as normal.
In some cases you need to press and hold a combination of 2 or more buttons to effect a reset. You will need to consult your user manual for specific instructions.
Does Your Tumble Dryer Have A Reset Button?
Obviously, with so many different makes and models of tumble dryers available in the UK, it is impossible to list all of them and whether they have a reset button or not. We recommend consulting your user manual for brand and model specific instructions on how to reset your appliance.
If you don’t have the user manual, you can look online quoting your model number for specific instructions. Some manufacturers will also have downloadable user manuals on their websites.
However, here are reset instructions for some of the more popular tumble dryers available in the UK.
- Resetting a Samsung dryer
To reset your Samsung tumble dryer, you need to unplug it, then wait about 1-5 minutes for the dryer to discharge any remaining electrical charge. After that, turn the power back on. - Resetting a Whirlpool dryer
Whirlpool dryers tend to not have a designated reset button. This means you’ll need to perform a hard reset to try to reset the timer on a Whirlpool tumble dryer. - Resetting a Hotpoint dryer
Hotpoint tumble dryers also don’t have a reset button which means performing a hard reset by disconnecting the power supply for around 15 to 30 minutes is the best way to reset a Hotpoint dryer. - Resetting a Indesit dryer
To reset an Indesit tumble dryer, simply press the “Reset” button. If your Indesit tumble dryer does not have a reset button, simply unplug it from the mains and wait 1-5 minutes, then turn it back on. - Resetting a Beko dryer
To reset a Beko tumble dryer, press the start button and hold it in for 5 seconds. This will cancel the current programme and allow you to select a new programme.
What Can Cause The Timer To Stop Working?
There are many reasons why the timer on your tumble dryer has stopped working. Some of these are simple to fix, whilst others may require a qualified technician. Reasons include;
- Software Glitch
- Lint Filter Needs Emptying
- Moisture Sensors Need Cleaning
- Timer Motor Faulty
- Wiring Fault
- Dirty Contacts
- Defective Cycling Thermostat
- Defective Heating Element
- Defective Control Board
As you can see, the first 3 of these can easily be solved without any mechanical knowledge at all. For the rest, you can either tackle them yourself or call in an engineer.
For more information on how & why the tumble dryer timer isn’t working, follow this link.
Can Resetting A Tumble Dryer Cause Problems?
In many cases, resetting a tumble dryer will remove any error codes in the dryer’s memory. You might think that that’s a good thing and the dryer’s timer will work properly again.
However, there are some occasions when a reset isn’t enough to get the timer functioning properly. If a reset doesn’t work, and the timer still isn’t working correctly, don’t try to reset it again.
Doing so would wipe any error codes from the memory which would mean the technician will have a harder job diagnosing the fault.
If you’ve followed the troubleshooting guide in your user manual, performed a reset and still have a timer that’s not working, you will need to call in a technician to fix this for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many tumble dryers have reset buttons which just need to be pressed and held for 3 to 5 seconds to reset the appliance. Others need to have the “start” button pressed and held for 3 to 5 seconds. Others still need to be disconnected from the power supply for 15 to 30 minutes to reset.
To do a hard reset on a tumble dryer all you need to do is disconnect the power supply for 15 to 30 minutes. This should be enough to reset the appliance and clear any fault codes.
Most likely causes for a dryer timer to stop working include; a software glitch, broken timer, defective cycling thermostat, defective control board or a defective heating element.
