When your clothes dryer smells burning, do not continue using it until you've done some investigating and troubleshooting. When it comes to burning smells from dryers, where there's smoke, there's a fire risk. However, with a few short and simple tips brought to you by our Flower Mound appliance repair team, you may be able to remove the burning smell coming from your dryer effectively.
Burning smells from dryers are a common occurrence in many households, from clearing out clogged lint traps to changing worn-out dryer belts. While this isn't the safest appliance issue, it surely isn't unfixable, especially with the help of Mr. Appliance of Flower Mound. Stay tuned as we go through the how and why of what causes a burning smell in your dryer.
Common Causes of a Burning Smell in Your Dryer
If you're noticing a burning smell coming from your dryer, it can be attributed to a couple of things: lint buildup, faulty thermostats, misaligned or worn-down drum belts, dryer motor issues, and malfunctioning heating elements. Each of these components is vital in the drying process, but when they become overworked, clogged, or faulty, it results in a range of issues with your dryer, including that burning smell from the dryer. Let's take a look:
- Excess lint: Excessive lint buildup is one of the most common causes of your dryer's burning smell. Lint accumulates and clogs the lint trap and vent. A clogged lint filter poses a potential fire hazard because, as it heats up, it can ignite. Therefore, a burning smell from the dryer is produced. So, we encourage you to remove any lint after using your dryer, as well as cleaning your dryer vent one to two times a year to prevent the appliance from overheating.
- Malfunctioning thermostat: A glitchy thermostat can mess with the temperature settings on your dryer, causing it to overheat and produce a burning odor.
- Dryer motor glitches: The dryer's motor can fail, creating an electrical burning smell (and hazard). If the motor is faulty, you may want to consider investing in a new dryer.
- Faulty heating element: When visible lint is caked on the heating elements, it causes the dryer to overheat excessively, creating a burning smell.
- Dryer belt problems: A torn, worn, or frayed dryer belt creates friction inside the dryer and a burning smell from your dryer. It's very common for dryers to require a belt replacement.
Removing the Burning Smell from Your Dryer
Now, you can perform the following on your own, but if you're uncomfortable, you can always call for an appliance service professional:
- Turn off and unplug the dryer to prevent a potential dryer fire.
- Clean the lint filter from debris that gets trapped. You can use a vacuum.
- Ensure there is proper airflow in the exhaust vent.
- Check the thermostat and motor for functionality (this may require an appliance repair professional).
- Replace faulty dryer belts if necessary.
Burning smells from dryers could be attributed to an electrical problem, but more often than not, the odor is caused by a clogged or faulty part.
Still Can’t Figure Out Why There’s a Burning Smell from Your Dryer? Let Mr. Appliance Help!
If there's a burning smell coming from your dryer, it's a sign that should never be ignored. Burning smells are one step away from generating a fire, and the longer you let the issue prevail, the closer your home becomes to a fire risk.
Mr. Appliance of Flower Mound is happy to help with any of the troubleshooting steps above, and if you think your unit could benefit from a dryer repair, we'd be happy to assist. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.
