Laundry comes out of washer dryer hot & steamy
If laundry comes out hot and steamy after a drying cycle on a condenser washer dryer, the heating element is most likely working correctly – the problem is that the steam being generated is not being condensed back into water and removed as it should be. This guide explains how the condensing process works and the three most likely causes of the fault.
Hot, steamy laundry after a drying cycle on a condenser washer dryer points to a failure in the condensing system – not the heating element. The three causes to investigate are: no cold water reaching the condenser chamber, a blockage preventing condensed water from draining into the drum, or the dryer fan not running.
If the laundry is hot after just a wash cycle – without using the drying function – this is a different fault. See: should the washing come out warm or cold?
How Condenser Washer Dryers Remove Steam
Unlike vented tumble dryers, condenser washer dryers have no vent hose. Instead, they convert steam back into water inside the machine. Understanding this process makes it easier to diagnose when it fails.
During the drying cycle, a fan blows hot steam through a plastic condenser chamber mounted at the back of the outer drum. A dedicated water valve supplies a steady trickle of cold water into the top of this chamber throughout the drying cycle. When the hot steam meets the cold water, it condenses back into liquid water. That water runs down into the bottom of the outer drum and is pumped away down the drain in the same way as wash water.
If laundry is coming out hot with excess steam still present, the heating element is clearly working. The condensing process is failing somewhere along this path.
Cause 1: No Cold Water Reaching the Condenser Chamber
The condenser water valve is a dedicated solenoid valve with a built-in flow restrictor. It is separate from the main wash fill valves and serves only the condenser chamber. It can be identified by the small hose that runs from it to the large plastic condenser chamber at the back of the outer drum.
During the drying cycle, only a trickle of water should flow into the condenser chamber – this is normal and by design. If no water at all is entering the chamber, the steam has nothing cold to condense against.
First confirm that the cold water supply to the machine is reaching the valve. If water is reaching the valve but not passing through it, the solenoid may have failed open-circuit. Solenoid water valves have a relatively high resistance – typically around 200 ohms – and may appear open-circuit on some meters depending on the range used. If testing with a multimeter, compare the resistance of the condenser valve against the other water valves on the machine. They should read similarly. A significantly higher or open-circuit reading on the condenser valve suggests it has failed. Only carry out this check if competent with electrical testing on appliances.
Cause 2: Condensed Water Cannot Drain Into the Drum
If the condenser valve is working and water is trickling into the chamber, the fault may be at the bottom of the condenser chamber where condensed water should flow through into the outer drum to be pumped away.
A blockage here – typically accumulated fluff or gunge – can prevent condensed water from exiting the chamber. As water builds up it loses its cooling effectiveness, and the condensing process becomes increasingly inefficient. In some cases it may be possible to observe water slowly rising inside the bottom of the condenser chamber rather than draining through cleanly.
Some condenser chamber designs are more prone to this than others. Poorly designed chambers with tight internal passages can trap fluff and debris over time. Clearing the blockage at the exit point between the chamber and the outer drum should restore normal operation.
A faulty main pump would produce similar symptoms – condensed water unable to drain away – but would also cause problems during the wash cycle. If the machine drains normally at the end of wash cycles, the pump is not the cause.
Cause 3: Dryer Fan Not Running
The dryer fan blows steam from the drum through the condenser chamber. Without it, steam generated during drying cannot reach the condenser chamber and the condensing process cannot take place.
The dryer fan is typically mounted on top of the outer drum and is straightforward to observe during a drying cycle – it should be visibly spinning. A fan that is not running, or is obstructed by a blockage, will prevent effective drying and may result in hot, steamy laundry remaining in the drum. Check for a blockage as well as electrical failure.
If the fan stops running entirely, the lack of airflow typically causes the heating element to overheat and the thermal cutout to trip, switching the heater off. This usually results in laundry that is hot but not dry, rather than continued drying with excessive steam. If the heater appears to have cut out, check the fan and its wiring before suspecting the heater or thermostat.
For a detailed discussion of this fault including reader experiences, see the Washerhelp forum thread: clothes coming out of washer dryer hot and steamy, still wet.
Need help diagnosing or repairing your washer dryer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does laundry come out hot and steamy from a condenser washer dryer?
Hot, steamy laundry after a drying cycle means the condensing system is not working correctly. The heating element is producing heat and steam, but that steam is not being condensed back into water and removed. The three most likely causes are: the condenser water valve has failed and no cold water is entering the condenser chamber; a blockage in the condenser chamber is preventing condensed water from draining away; or the dryer fan is not running and cannot move steam through the condenser.
Is a small trickle of water from the condenser valve normal?
Yes. The condenser water valve has a built-in flow restrictor and is designed to supply only a trickle of cold water into the condenser chamber during drying. This is not a fault. The concern is when no water at all is entering the chamber – in that case the steam has nothing to condense against and will remain as steam in the drum.
How do I know if the condenser water valve has failed?
First confirm the water supply to the machine is reaching the valve. If water is reaching it but not passing through, the solenoid may have failed. With a multimeter, the resistance of the condenser valve should be comparable to the other water fill valves – typically around 200 ohms. An open-circuit reading on the condenser valve suggests failure. Only attempt this check if competent with electrical testing on appliances.
Could a blocked condenser chamber cause this fault?
Yes. Fluff and gunge can accumulate inside the condenser chamber or at the point where condensed water exits into the outer drum. This prevents condensed water draining away and reduces the chamber’s cooling effectiveness. It may be possible to see water slowly rising inside the bottom of the chamber rather than draining through. Clearing the blockage should restore normal operation.
What happens if the dryer fan stops working?
If the dryer fan stops, steam cannot be moved from the drum into the condenser chamber, so it cannot be condensed. In most cases the loss of airflow causes the heating element to overheat and the thermal cutout to trip, switching off the heat. This typically results in undried laundry rather than hot steamy laundry. If the heater appears to have cut out on the drying cycle, check the dryer fan and its wiring as the first step.
20 Comments
Grouped into 12 comment threads.
1 reply My Washer Dryer is AEG L75480 it is not drying at all well, leaving clothes damp and hot, not dry. I am told the condenser system is clogged with fluff/lint, and is not repairable or accessible as it is part of the welded drum and cannot be separated. This puts a repair/replacement on the high side of £200, or more. Would you agree? Furthermore, if I replace the machine how can I establish which makes/models are accessible for this issue going forward? Thanks in advance!
1 reply Similar issue here, but wondering if it should be behaving as it is? I have a brand new Beko WDR 7543121W. The heater works, as does the drum and pump, but there is no evidence of any fan operating. The clothes are very hot and steamy, but also quite dry. Does this model recycle the air so not to release air into the room? There is not a waft whatsoever Many thanks
Similar issue here, but wondering if it should be behaving as it is?
I have a brand new Beko WDR 7543121W. The heater works, as does the drum and pump, but there is no evidence of any fan operating. The clothes are very hot and steamy, but also quite dry.
Does this model recycle the air so not to release air into the room? There is not a waft whatsoever
Many thanks
1 reply I’ve had the Bosch engineer out twice who cannot find a fault with my washer drier but my laundry too is coming out wet and hot. The machine seems to detect that it’s dry by cutting the drying time down with its drying sensor. It can go from 2hrs to 15mins in a few minutes and then stop with hot wet clothes inside. How can I convince the engineer something is wrong? He runs the diagnostic check which shows no errors?
I’ve had the Bosch engineer out twice who cannot find a fault with my washer drier but my laundry too is coming out wet and hot. The machine seems to detect that it’s dry by cutting the drying time down with its drying sensor. It can go from 2hrs to 15mins in a few minutes and then stop with hot wet clothes inside.
How can I convince the engineer something is wrong?
He runs the diagnostic check which shows no errors?
Likely replying to sarah cox
Hello Sarah. If the washing machine was rinsing in hot water that could explain laundry coming out hot and the fact that the dryer section can’t condense the steam – it needs cold water for that. Check this article out Should washing come out hot?
1 reply Hi I have a Hotpoint Ultima S-Line RD966JGD 9Kg / 6Kg Washer Dryer with 1600 rpm - the clothes always come out hot and steamy not matter how long I put the dry cycle on for, is this normal or am I doing something wrong?
Hi I have a Hotpoint Ultima S-Line RD966JGD 9Kg / 6Kg Washer Dryer with 1600 rpm – the clothes always come out hot and steamy not matter how long I put the dry cycle on for, is this normal or am I doing something wrong?
1 reply I have an Indesit IWDE 7168, it dries fine after a wash & spin cycle, but then if i select another say 30 minutes as I think it needs a little longer, the clothes then get wet, wetter than after a spin. So then I respin and dry and its fine??? Only seems to be a problem when not preceeded by a spin. Thanks
I have an Indesit IWDE 7168, it dries fine after a wash & spin cycle, but then if i select another say 30 minutes as I think it needs a little longer, the clothes then get wet, wetter than after a spin. So then I respin and dry and its fine??? Only seems to be a problem when not preceeded by a spin.
Thanks
Likely replying to Paula Fleet
Hello Paula. Do you mean that after the dryer cycle is finished you put it back on the tumble dryer setting? That should be totally unnecessary. You need to make sure you are not overloading on the drying cycle, remember that a washer dryer can wash considerably more laundry than it is capable of drying. Also make sure that the drying cycle you have selected is correct.
You should not have to put the dryer back on to complete the drying cycle. Having said that, I can think of no logical reason as to why it would stop drying if you did. Essentially when a washer dryer is on a drying cycle it sends a small trickle of water into the condenser chamber which condenses the steam into water. This water then pumps down the drain as it does on wash cycles.
But anything that didn’t work properly and resulted in the laundry getting wet should affect the normal drying cycle too. Maybe the drying cycle is not working properly and that is why you keep having to do it again for another half an hour? If the laundry is getting wet, but not hot, then it sounds like the heater isn’t working. If the laundry is getting wet, and it is warm, then the heater is working but the steam is not being condensed and or adequately pumped away. All possible causes are listed in my article above.
1 reply Re. Hotpoint WDD960 Washer Dryer. On Dry programme, clothes come out hot and steamy - usually - not always. Intermittent fault. Sometimes does not pump out. But Dry works ok when set up as continuation of Wash or Spin programme. What is going on ?. Any advice appreciated.
Re. Hotpoint WDD960 Washer Dryer.
On Dry programme, clothes come out hot and steamy – usually – not always. Intermittent fault. Sometimes does not pump out.
But Dry works ok when set up as continuation of Wash or Spin programme.
What is going on ?. Any advice appreciated.
Likely replying to Graham
Hello Graham. Unfortunately all of the faults that can cause the clothes to come out hot and steamy after tumble drying should affect the dryer cycle no matter whether it is selected independently or after a wash cycle. There is no difference in function.
Unless by any chance someone was using the dryer cycle without turning on the cold water supply to the washing machine.
1 reply Hello Brad. That washing machine has an "inlet valve for steam". Also, if a valve isn't working the washing machine should malfunction or bring up an error code.
Hello Brad. That washing machine has an “inlet valve for steam”. Also, if a valve isn’t working the washing machine should malfunction or bring up an error code.
thanks Andy…I have changed the valve but still the steam,
the service manual has some tests that can be done so i did them by holding two buttons and starting the machine then cycling through tests to perform actions to check things are working ok. one test was (turn on Inlet valve for dry) and the valve did turn on and water trickled out into the condenser chamber, so i know the valve is being energised and water does flow into the chamber when instructed. There was another test (Water level Sensor for Steam) i chose that test and the machine just shuts off no error code or anything just OFF. i then tested the pressure switch to see if it had a fault with the multimeter. The manual says “is the resistance of the Pressure Switch out of range?” if so replace the pressure switch.
[Pin1 ~ Pin3] should be 21~23Ω)
on pin 1 and 3 i get 0.00Ω with the multimeter i don’t ever see 21-23Ω
does that mean the pressure switch could be faulty. is it possible the pressure switch could be responsible for the excess steam i’m seing as it’s not telling the valve to open and send water to the condenser chamber and so i see excess steam?
its definitely is a puzzle and if it wasn’t for the fact the machine is working fine but for some steam from the soap draw i would have called someone out by now. thanks again.
brad
1 reply Hi i have this problem on a normal dryer not a condensing dryer i have cleared all the filters and it is still doing it the steam stays in the drum it doesnt come out of the vent which is also clean and clear help please
Hi i have this problem on a normal dryer not a condensing dryer i have cleared all the filters and it is still doing it the steam stays in the drum it doesnt come out of the vent which is also clean and clear help please
Likely replying to Samantha Allen
Hello Samantha. On a vented dryer the steam is blown out of the dryer with a fan. If it isn’t clearing the steam the fan must not be running, or there’s a blockage around or in the fan chamber. Another possibility is if there is a vent hose connected that could be blocked.
0 replies I have a similar problem with a Beko Washer Dryer WDK742421A that I bought in April 2023. After less than a year the washing came out hot and steamy when drying - would set to dry for 2 hours, it would count down really quickly but came out wet. The engineer replaced a big something (heater channel perhaps) in the top of the machine, but before he did, massive amounts of lint had to be removed from the outlet it was attached to. Another year later, and the machine is now cutting out whenever I use the dryer and I suspect the outlet inside is clogged with lint again, but there is no way to get to it!! Massive design flaw and potential fire hazard surely?
I have a similar problem with a Beko Washer Dryer WDK742421A that I bought in April 2023. After less than a year the washing came out hot and steamy when drying – would set to dry for 2 hours, it would count down really quickly but came out wet. The engineer replaced a big something (heater channel perhaps) in the top of the machine, but before he did, massive amounts of lint had to be removed from the outlet it was attached to.
Another year later, and the machine is now cutting out whenever I use the dryer and I suspect the outlet inside is clogged with lint again, but there is no way to get to it!!
Massive design flaw and potential fire hazard surely?
0 replies hi, i have steam from the soap draw on my lg washer dryer (condenser) it seems the valve isn't being energised as i have replaced the valve and it's still doing it. can you advise on what i should check to see what is not energising the valve? The whole machine has been checked for blockages and apart from the steam everything is fine with the machine. thanks for any help
hi, i have steam from the soap draw on my lg washer dryer (condenser) it seems the valve isn’t being energised as i have replaced the valve and it’s still doing it. can you advise on what i should check to see what is not energising the valve? The whole machine has been checked for blockages and apart from the steam everything is fine with the machine.
thanks for any help
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0 replies No Riccardo. A condenser dryer needs to be connected to the cold water supply to be able to dry laundry.
No Riccardo. A condenser dryer needs to be connected to the cold water supply to be able to dry laundry.
0 replies Would I be right to assume that condenser dryers not connected to mains water use the water recovered from the laundry itself to feed this constant trickle of water?
Would I be right to assume that condenser dryers not connected to mains water use the water recovered from the laundry itself to feed this constant trickle of water?
My Washer Dryer is AEG L75480
it is not drying at all well, leaving clothes damp and hot, not dry.
I am told the condenser system is clogged with fluff/lint, and is not repairable or accessible as it is part of the welded drum and cannot be separated.
This puts a repair/replacement on the high side of £200, or more.
Would you agree? Furthermore, if I replace the machine how can I establish which makes/models are accessible for this issue going forward?
Thanks in advance!
Likely replying to Geoff G
Hello Geoff. I’ve not heard of the condenser system being part of the outer drum but nothing would surprise me anymore. They are less and less repairable each year. In my opinion washer-dryers seem to have a design flaw which allows them to accumulate a lot of wet fluff and lint that sticks all inside the fan and fan chamber. I’m not aware of any that are immune to it because they all work exactly the same way.