LG dryer burning smell

Common reasons your LG dryer has a burning smell

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

  • 31%

    31% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 26%

    26% of the time it's the
    Idler Assembly

  • 16%

    16% of the time it's the
    Drum Bearing

  • 27%

    27% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a LG 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.

What to expect when you experience an LG 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 scheduling LG dryer repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can 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.

What to do When Your LG Dryer Smells Like Burning Lint or Wire Insulation

When your LG dryer smells like burning lint or wire insulation, turn it off immediately if safely possible.

If you suspect that a lint fire already started inside the dryer cabinet, call the fire department and leave your home to stay safe.

If you smell wire insulation burning, don’t touch the dryer and shut off the house circuit breaker for the dryer to disconnect electrical power. Don’t use the dryer until it is examined and repaired by a service technician. An electric short inside the dryer likely caused the wire insulation burning smell.

To prevent lint fires in your dryer, clean the lint screen before each load and wash the lint screen with water monthly to remove residue. Clean the flexible exhaust hose behind your dryer and the lint duct system going to the outside of your home every few months. Have your dryer professionally cleaned and maintained by a Sears Home Services technician every year to prevent lint buildup inside the dryer cabinet.

Having your dryer professionally cleaned and maintained every year will also prevent electrical shorts that can cause your LG dryer to smell like burning wire insulation.

Schedule dryer repair service anytime you smell a burning odor coming from your LG dryer so it continues to operate safely.
A burning smell from your LG dryer typically means lint buildup on hot components or an overheating motor. Operating it further risks serious damage or fire. Power down and reach out to dryer repair near me. Timely checks ensure safe operation and odor-free laundry.

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Dryer service

He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG dryer emitting a burning smell?
Common causes include lint buildup, a malfunctioning heating element, or a worn belt.
How can I fix my LG dryer if it’s emitting a burning smell?
Clean the lint filter and vent, check the heating element, and inspect the belt for wear.
Could lint buildup cause my LG dryer to smell like burning?
Yes, lint buildup can overheat and cause a burning smell.
What should I do if my LG dryer is emitting a burning smell?
Clean the lint filter and vent, inspect the heating element, and check the belt.

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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.

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