Tumble dryer taking much longer than usual to dry (Beko & Hotpoint)
✅ Safe to check yourself
This is a common, low-risk check most people can do safely. Always unplug the appliance (or isolate power) before touching internal parts.
Quick TipTake a photo of the appliance's model/serial number sticker now — you'll want it if this does end up needing a part or an engineer.
A dryer that used to take an hour and now takes three, without an error message, is almost always a gradually restricted airflow problem building up over months — the same root cause as a dryer that won’t heat at all, just less severe.
What to check first
- Clean the lint filter — if it’s visibly matted or you can’t remember the last time you cleaned it, this is very likely your answer.
- For vented dryers, check the full length of the vent hose for a sagging section where lint and condensation collect, not just the ends.
- For condenser/heat-pump models, clean the condenser unit and check the fine mesh filter above the drum door, if your model has one — heat-pump dryers in particular are sensitive to filter build-up and will slow down considerably before failing completely.
- Reduce load size slightly — as dryers age, they become less tolerant of a completely full drum.
- If you use dryer sheets, be aware residue from these can gradually coat the lint filter’s mesh and reduce airflow even when it looks clean — an occasional wash of the filter with warm soapy water and a soft brush clears this.
When to call an engineer
If drying time is still increasing after a thorough clean of filter, vent and condenser, the heating element may be partially failed (heating weakly rather than not at all) or a fan/blower could be partially obstructed — worth a professional check before it fails completely.