A clothes dryer absorbs moisture from clothes and wicks it away. On condensation and heat pump tumble dryers, the water resulting from the humidity of the laundry is collected in a container at the bottom of the appliance: the collection container. Sometimes there is no water in the drawer at the end of a drying cycle.
It will therefore be necessary to check what can be the cause of this failure:
- the door filter
- the condenser
- the air circuit
- the belt
- thermostats
- resistance
- the temperature probe
- the water pump
- humidity sensors
- cold air fan
Most modern clothes dryers, especially condenser and heat pump dryers, have a water collection tray or tank where the moisture from your clothes is collected as the machine dries them. Over time, you might notice that your dryer no longer collects water in this tray, which can be puzzling and potentially concerning. This problem could be due to several factors, and this article will explore the possible causes and solutions.
Blocked or Damaged Condenser Unit
In a condenser or heat pump dryer, hot, humid air from the wet clothes is passed through a condenser to cool it down. This process turns the moisture in the air back into water, which is then drained into the water collection tray. If the condenser unit is blocked with fluff or lint, or if it’s damaged, it won’t be able to condense the moisture effectively. As a result, less or no water will end up in the tray.
Tip: Regularly clean the condenser unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s free of lint or fluff. If you suspect the condenser unit is damaged, you’ll likely need a professional to replace it.
Faulty Water Pump
After the water is collected in the tray, it is often pumped out to a container at the top of the machine for easy removal. If this pump is malfunctioning or broken, it might not move the water as it should, making it appear that the tray isn’t collecting water.
Tip: If you suspect a faulty water pump, it’s best to call in a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
Blocked or Kinked Drain Hose
In some models, the condensed water is drained out of the machine through a drain hose. If this hose is blocked or kinked, the water may not be able to exit the machine correctly. While this won’t directly affect the water collection in the tray, it can cause other issues that prevent proper condensation.
Tip: Check the drain hose for any kinks or blockages and rectify if possible. If the hose is blocked and you can’t clear it, you may need to replace it.
Incorrect Settings
Some dryers offer settings or modes that do not collect water in the tray but evaporate it instead. If you’ve accidentally chosen one of these settings, it might seem like your dryer isn’t collecting water.
Tip: Check your dryer’s settings and ensure you’ve chosen the correct one for your needs.
Low Load or Very Dry Clothes
If you’re trying to dry just a few items or the clothes were already partially dry when you put them in the dryer, the machine may not collect much, if any, water in the tray. Dryers work best with medium to full loads, and they extract the most water when clothes are very wet to begin with.
Tip: Ensure you’re using your dryer with a suitable load size and wetness level for optimal operation.
CHECK HUMIDITY SENSORS
Tumble dryers are equipped with a humidity sensor that indicates when the laundry is dry. They may be in the form of brushes rubbing against the outside of the drum, or probes placed in the drum.
- Clean the drum and drum blades.
- If you have brushed feelers, check for wear and clean the contact surface on the drum.
- After cleaning the sensors, check them with a damp cloth.
- If your machine turns off immediately after starting the program, the moisture detection system may be faulty.
If you have brush probes, check for wear and clean the contact surface on the drum.
CHECK THE COLD AIR FAN
A cooling fan is present on all condenser dryers. Its role is to suck in the surrounding fresh air to convert warm moist air. It is located at the front, at the bottom of the device.
- Listen to see if it spins during the drying cycle.
- You can also test this with a multimeter in the ohmmeter position.
- If you cannot find any value, then it will have to be replaced, otherwise the problem comes from the electronic card.
A cooling fan can have several aspects:
- In combination with a drive motor, a turbine is added to the motor axis,
- The remote with aluminum fins is usually located at the bottom of the device,
- Square in shape and reminiscent of a computer fan, this model is often found in the lower right front of the dryer and equips heat pump dryers.
In conclusion, if your dryer is no longer collecting water in the tray, it could be due to issues with the condenser unit, water pump, or drain hose, or it could be related to the machine’s settings or load size. Some of these problems can be resolved at home, while others may require professional help. Understanding these potential issues can help you get your dryer back to its peak performance, ensuring your clothes are dried effectively and efficiently.
