Start here
An Asko dryer that trips a protective device, smells hot or has a warm plug should be isolated at the breaker and left off. Establish whether it trips alone or only alongside the washer, because that distinction separates an appliance fault from a circuit that is being overloaded. Either way, the testing belongs to somebody with a meter.
The observable signs
- Trips only when the washer is also heating — A circuit-loading question rather than a machine fault.
- Trips reliably when the dryer's heat starts, washer idle — An element or harness fault in the dryer.
- A warm plug or a discoloured double socket — A connection degrading under sustained load.
- A scorched smell during a cycle — Lint against the heater. Isolate rather than finish the load.
- Any tingle from either machine's cabinet — Stop using both: that is an earthing question.
What is behind it, in order
- Circuit loading and connection degradation — First where two heating appliances share one supply.
- Lint against the heater — Second, and the fire risk specific to dryers.
- Element or harness leaking to earth — Third, and it gives the repeatable trip at the heat phase.
- Motor or capacitor failure — Fourth, with a distinctive smell.
- A household circuit or earthing fault — Last, and it is what remains when both machines are unplugged.
The order to work in, and why
- Switch off at the breaker — First action, before any test.
- Establish whether it trips with the washer idle — The single most informative observation available.
- Feel the plug and inspect the socket — Warmth or discolouration is a finding.
- Stop — Everything past this is measured on isolated machines.
Hands-on, without tools you do not own
- Isolate the dryer at the breaker and unplug it — Leave it isolated rather than running another load.
About 5 min
- Note whether trips happen only when both machines run together — Run them separately on separate occasions if it is safe to do so, and record what happens.
About 30 min
- Inspect the plug pins, flex and socket for heat damage — Discolouration or melting means an electrician replaces both plug and socket.
Tools: flashlightAbout 10 min
- Clear the lint filter, its housing and the duct or condenser — The one owner action that lowers the fire risk while the machine waits.
Tools: vacuum, narrow nozzleAbout 30 min
What can hurt you here
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel — a capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. A standard household branch circuit is 15 A or 20 A, and two heating appliances on one such circuit can approach that for long periods, which is what degrades the connections. Never dry anything contaminated with oil, solvent or wax: it can ignite in the drum after the heat stops. On a gas model, a smell of gas means leaving the building without operating any switch and calling the gas utility or the emergency services from outside.
The line for a service call
Call an electrician first when the laundry circuit trips with both machines unplugged, when a socket is damaged, or when the arrangement itself looks marginal — that is a wiring assessment, not an appliance repair. Call an appliance technician when the dryer trips reliably on its own at the heat phase, or at the first burning smell. Keep the machine isolated until somebody has looked at it, whichever call you make first.
Same problem, other brands
What this page does not cover
This page covers the Asko dryer class and stops where measurement or gas work begins. It publishes no element ratings, circuit specifications for particular models, wiring colours or burner data, because those differ between builds under this badge and publishing them encourages unsafe work. Laundry-circuit adequacy, wiring and earthing belong to a licensed electrician; gas supply, burners and flues belong to a registered gas engineer.
Where to go next
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
