Tumble Dryer
F08
The F08 error code on a Siemens tumble dryer indicates a heating fault — the appliance is not reaching or maintaining the correct drying temperature. It’s a moderately serious fault that will stop your dryer from working properly, but it’s often caused by a simple blockage rather than a failed component.
What does this error mean?
F08 signals that the dryer’s control board has detected a problem with the heating circuit. This usually means the machine heated up too slowly, overheated and tripped a safety thermostat, or failed to heat at all. The machine cuts out to protect itself and your home from a potential fire risk caused by overheating.
Est. repair cost
£80–£150 professional repair; £5–£60 DIY parts if you have appliance repair experience
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Power off and unplug the dryer — always start here before touching any part of the machine
Clean the fluff filter thoroughly — remove it from the door aperture, peel off the lint, and rinse under a tap if it’s mesh-type. Refit it dry. Do this after every cycle as standard practice
Clean the condenser unit (condenser/heat pump models only) — locate the condenser behind the lower front panel, remove it, and rinse under a cold tap until water runs clear. Leave to dry fully before refitting
Check the exhaust hose (vented models only) — disconnect it from the back of the machine and check for kinks, blockages, or crushed sections. Make sure the external wall vent flap opens freely
Reset the machine — once all filters and airways are clear, plug back in, select a short timed programme, and run it. If the F08 clears and the drum heats up, the blockage was the cause
If the error persists after cleaning, do not attempt to open the back panel or replace the heating element or thermal fuse yourself — these repairs involve live electrical components and should be handled by a qualified appliance engineer
📞 When to call a professional
If the F08 error returns after you’ve thoroughly cleaned all filters and airways, the fault is almost certainly a failed thermal cut-out fuse, heating element, or temperature sensor — none of which are safe DIY repairs without appliance servicing experience. Call a Siemens-approved or Which?-trusted appliance engineer and tell them: ‘F08 error, suspected heating circuit fault — filters are clear.’ This helps them bring the right parts and saves you a call-out charge.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an F08 fault — typically a new heating element (£30–£60 part) or thermal cut-out fuse (£5–£15 part) plus labour — will usually cost £80–£150 all in. If your Siemens dryer is under 5 years old, repair is almost always worth it. If it’s over 8–10 years old and this isn’t its first fault, a new heat pump dryer (£350–£600) will be more energy-efficient and likely cheaper in the long run than repeated repairs.