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  1. Repair
  2. Kenmore Elite
  3. Kenmore Elite Dryer
  4. Symptom Center
  5. Dryer burning smell

Kenmore Elite dryer burning smell

Common reasons your Kenmore Elite dryer has a burning smell

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

  • 64%

    64% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 15%

    15% of the time it's the
    Idler Assembly

  • 14%

    14% of the time it's the
    Drum Bearing

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Something else

Schedule your dryer repair now!

We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 55,000 Kenmore Elite dryers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
Text (240) 616-1772 to schedule now.

Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite 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.


How to replace a dryer heating element

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 Elite 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.

When you’re unable to fix a failure yourself, set up Kenmore Elite dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to fix the problem.

A charred odor from a Kenmore Elite dryer often means lint contacting a hot surface or a motor under strain. Continuing use can be risky. Stop the cycle and consult dryer repair near me. Swift checks preserve machine longevity and your household’s safety.

What our customers say about us

With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

Excellent service from Daniel

Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.


Tammy M, Hilton, NY

Satisfied customer

Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert


Rose W, Las Cruces, NM

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

A dryer vent is a duct that channels hot air, lint, and moisture from a clothes dryer to the outside of a home, ensuring safe operation and reducing the risk of fire.

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 dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.

Additional possible Kenmore Elite dryer symptoms you may experience