Kenmore dryer burning smell

Common reasons your Kenmore dryer has a burning smell

The most common reasons your Kenmore dryer has a burning smell are an open heating element, broken idler assembly or a worn drum bearing.

  • 69%

    69% of the time it's the Heating Element

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the Idler Assembly

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the Drum Bearing

  • 6%

    6% of the time it's the Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore dryer

Heating Element Replacement

An open heating element could cause a burning smell in your dryer if the element shorts against metal inside the cabinet. You may smell a metallic odor or wiring insulation burning when the broken element touches metal. When you smell a burning odor coming from the dryer, shut the dryer off and have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and examine the dryer. The technician will check the heating element and replace it if it’s broken.

Idler Assembly Replacement

When you smell a burning odor coming from your dryer, a worn or broken idler assembly could be causing the smell. A bad idler assembly won’t tension the drive belt on the drum properly so the belt will slip across the drum and get hot quickly. When you smell a rubbery burning odor coming from the dryer, you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and examine the dryer. The technician will replace the idler assembly if it’s broken.

Drum Bearing Replacement

A burning smell coming from your dryer could be caused by a worn drum bearing. The drum bearing normally prevents friction between the drum and the cabinet as the drum spins. When the drum bearing wears out, friction between the drum and the cabinet can cause remnants of the worn drum bearing to get hot and start smelling like burning metal or plastic. When you smell a burning odor coming from your dryer, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and replace the drum bearing if it’s worn out.

Why does my Kenmore dryer smell like it’s burning?

Dryer burning smell can be caused by several different issues. Follow these expert tips to find and resolve the cause of the burning smell.

Lint burning smell

If you smell lint burning, stop the dryer immediately. Check the flexible vent duct behind the dryer for lint buildup and clear lint out of that duct. Clear any lint buildup out of your home's dryer exhaust vent system as well.

Schedule dryer maintenance to have a technician visit your home and clear lint out of the inside the dryer cabinet. Don't continue using the dryer until you have the inside of the cabinet checked and cleaned by a technician.

A buildup of lint inside the cabinet can start a fire.

Wire Insulation Burning Smell

A short circuit in wiring or a component can cause a distinctive smell of burning wiring insulation. A short circuit or component failure on the electronic control board can cause that same smell.

If you detect the smell of burning insulation, unplug the power cord if you can safely reach it without touching the dryer or shut off the house circuit breaker to disconnect electrical power going to the appliance.

Remove the top panel and check the electronic control board and attached wiring for burnt wires and/or circuit board components.

Here’s a video that shows how to access the electronic control board in common Kenmore dryer models:

Schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer if you find burnt wires and/or burnt spots on the circuit board..

Leave the dryer unplugged or disconnected from electrical power until you have it examined and serviced by a technician. A short circuit or damaged wiring in the dryer poses an electrocution risk to you and your household if you continue using the dryer.

clothes-dryer-drive-belt

Rubber Burning Smell

When you smell rubber burning, a worn dryer belt could be slipping or a problem with the drive system could be causing the drive belt to rub against the drum or idler pulley.

Overloading the dryer can cause the drive belt to rub against the drum. Check the size of the wash load and pull some items out if you see that the dryer is overfilled.

Unplug the dryer and remove the top dryer cabinet panel.

Examine the dryer belt and if you find it worn, replace the belt.

If you’re not completely confident that you can replace a damaged drive belt on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the dryer for you.

Metallic Burning Smell

Motor bearings can emit a metallic burning smell if they’re worn or damaged and overheat. You’ll also likely hear whining or squealing sounds when bearings go bad and are overheating.

Worn drum glide bearings or a worn out felt seal can allow the drum to scrape against the metal bulkhead in the dryer. You’ll likely hear metallic scraping noise when this occurs.

You’ll likely need to have a service technician examine the dryer and replace parts that are making metallic burning smells.

What to expect when you experience a Kenmore dryer burning smell issue

How is the burning smell problem fixed?

Correcting most burning smell problems usually involves replacing the heating element, idler assembly or drum bearing. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer burning smell

When the dryer has a burning smell it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.

What to look out for with a dryer burning smell diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

A scorched odor from a Kenmore dryer typically means lint on the heating coil or a motor under strain. Continuing use can risk major damage or fire. Power down and schedule dryer repair near me. Early checks secure safe operation and fresh-smelling laundry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Kenmore dryer have a burning smell?
A burning smell could indicate a problem with the wiring, heating element, lint buildup, or a malfunctioning motor. Inspect these components for problems.
Could a clogged vent cause my Kenmore dryer to have a burning smell?
Yes, if the vent is clogged with lint, it can cause overheating, leading to a burning smell. Cleaning the vent should resolve the issue.
How can I fix my Kenmore dryer if it’s emitting a burning smell?
Check the vent for blockages, inspect the heating element, wiring and motor for issues. Cleaning and replacing damaged parts should stop the burning smell.
What should I do if my Kenmore dryer still has a burning smell after cleaning the vent?
If the smell persists, the heating element or motor may need professional inspection and replacement.

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Glossary Terms

A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.

A dryer filter, commonly known as a lint filter, is a component of a clothes dryer that captures lint and other debris from clothes during the drying process, preventing them from clogging the dryer vent.

A dryer pedestal is a platform that elevates a dryer off the ground, making it easier to load and unload laundry while also providing additional storage space in some models.

A dryer rack is an accessory for clothes dryers that provides a stationary platform to dry items without tumbling, ideal for delicate or bulky items, or shoes that might be damaged by the usual drying cycle.

Kenmore dryer burning smell: Quick Fixes & Safety Tips