Turn the dryer off and let it cool. A burning smell is the one dryer symptom you shouldn't "run a few more loads" with. The most common cause is lint near the heat source, which is exactly how dryer fires start. Other causes include a slipping belt, worn rollers and an electrical fault.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Can you DIY it? | Lint cleaning, yes. Anything electrical, no. |
| How urgent? | High. Stop using it until it's checked. |
What should I do first?
- •Stop the cycle and unplug the dryer (or shut off its breaker).
- •Open the door and remove the clothes to let them cool.
- •If you see smoke or flames, leave the room, close the door and call 911.
- •Don't restart the dryer to "see if it happens again."
What does each smell usually mean?
A dusty, hot smell on the first load of the season. Dust burning off the heating element. This is common in the fall after months of hanging clothes outside, and it should fade within a load.
Burning lint smell, every load. Lint is building up inside the cabinet or vent. This is the dangerous one.
Burning rubber. A slipping or worn belt, or a seized drum roller.
Sharp electrical or plastic smell. Overheated wiring, a terminal block or a motor. Don't use the dryer until it's inspected.
Gas smell (gas dryers). Leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
How do I prevent it?
- •Clean the lint screen before every load.
- •Have the full vent run cleaned at least once a year.
- •Replace plastic or vinyl transition hoses with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.
- •Keep the area around the dryer clear of boxes and laundry piles.
Elliott's take
When I open up a dryer that smells like burning, there's often a layer of lint sitting under the drum, right next to the heater. You can't see it from the outside. If you've noticed the smell more than once, the inside needs cleaning, not just the vent.
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Burning smell from your dryer? Stop using it and call TrueFix Boston at (857) 810-1119.