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  1. Repair
  2. Kenmore
  3. Dryer burning smell

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.

    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.

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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.


    Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK

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    Glossary Terms

    Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.

    A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.

    A humidifier is a device designed to increase humidity levels in a single room or an entire building, improving air quality and comfort.

    A generator stator is the stationary part of a generator that, together with the moving rotor, plays a crucial role in electricity generation. It consists of coils where electric power is produced through electromagnetic induction.

    Additional possible Kenmore dryer symptoms you may experience

    • Kenmore dryer won't turn off
    • Kenmore dryer stopped working
    • Kenmore dryer not working
    • Kenmore dryer not turning on
    • Kenmore dryer not starting
    • Kenmore dryer not spinning
    • Kenmore dryer not heating
    • Kenmore dryer not drying
    • Kenmore dryer noisy
    • Kenmore dryer no power
    • Kenmore dryer no heat
    • Kenmore dryer light not working
    • Kenmore dryer drum roller replacement