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Care and fixes

Most problems with a premium hair dryer come back to a clogged filter or overheating protection. Here is what the lights and cut-outs usually mean.

A coiled hair dryer placed on folded white towels, suggesting a hotel setting
Photo: Nadin Sh on Pexels

Hair dryers have a thermal cut-out that switches the heater off when the air cannot flow freely. The most common cause is a blocked intake filter, so clean it as the maker describes, usually every week or two.

Flashing lights on digital dryers are usually a filter or temperature warning. The maker's manual lists the exact meaning for each model, and we summarise the common ones on our fix pages.

Never open the body of a dryer yourself. If a dryer still cuts out with a clean filter, contact the maker or the retailer.

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