Maytag dryer burning smell
Common reasons your Maytag dryer has a burning smell
The most common reasons your Maytag dryer has a burning smell are an open heating element, broken idler assembly or a worn drum bearing.
31% of the time it's the
Heating Element
24% of the time it's the
Idler Assembly
19% of the time it's the
Drum Bearing
26% of the time it's the
Something else
Schedule your dryer repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 100,000 Maytag dryers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
Most common repairs needed to fix a Maytag 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 Maytag 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.
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
Repair Dryer Resources
Learn how to fix the dC code on your Samsung dryer with expert advice from Sears Home Services. Start your easy, DIY fix today or schedule a repair!
Find the most common Samsung clothes dryer error codes and their solutions. Get professional help from Sears Home Services.
If your dryer refuses to start, consider exploring common reasons why it might not be kicking into gear before calling in the pros.
Dryer problems can quickly put a damper on your laundry routine, but fear not – our guide will help you troubleshoot the most common issues.
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.
The furnace heat exchanger is a crucial component designed to transfer heat from the combustion gases to the air blown through your furnace, ensuring that only clean, warm air circulates through your home.
A furnace limit switch is a safety device in a furnace that monitors the temperature of the air passing over the heat exchanger. It shuts off the burner if the air becomes too hot, preventing overheating and potential damage to the furnace or your home.
Additional possible Maytag dryer symptoms you may experience
- Maytag dryer won't turn off
- Maytag dryer won't heat up
- Maytag dryer vibrates
- Maytag dryer stopped working
- Maytag dryer not working
- Maytag dryer not turning on
- Maytag dryer not starting
- Maytag dryer not spinning
- Maytag dryer not heating
- Maytag dryer not drying
- Maytag dryer not draining
- Maytag dryer noisy
- Maytag dryer no power
- Maytag dryer no heat
- Maytag dryer makes noise when tumbling
- Maytag dryer light not working
- Maytag dryer leaking water
- Maytag dryer drum roller replacement
- Maytag dryer drum not turning
- Maytag dryer door not closing
- Maytag dryer display not working