What usually causes it
- Lint buildup inside the cabinet. Lint escapes past the screen and collects around the heater, burner and motor.
- Blocked vent. Restricted airflow raises the temperature inside the dryer.
- Worn drive belt. A slipping or fraying belt can smell like hot rubber.
- Drum rollers and idler pulley. Seized rollers or a pulley drag on the belt and the drum, and heat up.
- Motor. A motor straining against a stiff drum can overheat.
- Items in the drum. Rubber-backed rugs and anything with oil or solvent on it can scorch.
Dryer smells like burning
A burning smell often means lint near the heat source or a failing motor or belt.
Check first: Stop the dryer and leave it off. Check how long since the vent was cleaned.
Safe checks you can do
- Stop the dryer and unplug it, or turn off the gas and breaker, if the smell is strong or you see smoke.
- Clean the lint screen and the slot it sits in, using a vacuum crevice tool.
- Check the vent for lint and airflow.
- Do not dry items that have been soaked in oil, gasoline or cleaning solvents.
Parts that fail most often
- Lint inside the cabinet is the most common source of burning smells.
- Belts, rollers and idler pulleys wear together on high-use dryers.
How your home affects it
In older homes
Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Old vent hoses and short standpipe drains are common, and both can make a good machine look broken.
In new construction
Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. Upstairs laundry and long dryer vents through the attic are the norm, and both need attention early.
In apartments and condos
In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Stacked washer-dryer pairs in closets are common and take extra care to pull out and service.
In garages
Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Garage laundry usually has a short vent, which makes it easier to tell an airflow problem from a dryer problem.
During storm season
Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. Do not run a washer or dryer that sat in floodwater. Have it checked first.
When to call for repair
- Any smoke or scorched smell during a cycle.
- The smell comes back after you clean the vent and lint screen.
- The cabinet is too hot to touch.
If a dryer smells like burning or you see smoke, stop it and leave it off. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
Need help? We do dryer repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.
Common questions
What usually causes this?
The most common causes are lint buildup inside the cabinet, blocked vent, worn drive belt, drum rollers and idler pulley, motor and items in the drum.
Is it safe to keep using the dryer?
If a dryer smells like burning or you see smoke, stop it and leave it off. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
When should I call for dryer repair?
Any smoke or scorched smell during a cycle. The smell comes back after you clean the vent and lint screen. The cabinet is too hot to touch.
Do you repair this in my area?
We repair dryers in homes across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.