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Samsung dryer burning smell
Common reasons your Samsung dryer has a burning smell
The most common reasons your Samsung dryer has a burning smell are an open heating element, broken idler assembly or a worn drum bearing.
56% of the time it's the Heating Element
23% of the time it's the Idler Assembly
11% of the time it's the Drum Bearing
10% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung 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.
Why does my Samsung dryer smell like it’s burning?
Dryer burning smell can be caused by several different issues. Follow these expert tips to find and resolve the cause of the burning smell.
Lint burning smell
If you smell lint burning, stop the dryer immediately. Check the flexible vent duct behind the dryer for lint buildup and clear lint out of that duct. Clear any lint buildup out of your home's dryer exhaust vent system as well.
Schedule dryer maintenance to have a technician visit your home and clear lint out of the inside the dryer cabinet. Don't continue using the dryer until you have the inside of the cabinet checked and cleaned by a technician.
A buildup of lint inside the cabinet can start a fire.
Wire Insulation Burning Smell
A short circuit in wiring or a component can cause a distinctive smell of burning wiring insulation. A short circuit or component failure on the electronic control board can cause that same smell.
If you detect the smell of burning insulation, unplug the power cord if you can safely reach it without touching the dryer or shut off the house circuit breaker to disconnect electrical power going to the appliance.
Remove the top panel and check the electronic control board and attached wiring for burnt wires and/or circuit board components.
Here’s a video that shows how to access the electronic control board in common Samsung dryer models:
Schedule dryer repair service to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer if you find burnt wires and/or burnt spots on the circuit board..
Leave the dryer unplugged or disconnected from electrical power until you have it examined and serviced by a technician. A short circuit or damaged wiring in the dryer poses an electrocution risk to you and your household if you continue using the dryer.
Rubber Burning Smell
When you smell rubber burning, a worn dryer belt could be slipping or a problem with the drive system could be causing the drive belt to rub against the drum or idler pulley.
Overloading the dryer can cause the drive belt to rub against the drum. Check the size of the wash load and pull some items out if you see that the dryer is overfilled.
Unplug the dryer and remove the top dryer cabinet panel.
Examine the dryer belt and if you find it worn, replace the belt.
If you’re not completely confident that you can replace a damaged drive belt on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the dryer for you.
Metallic Burning Smell
Motor bearings can emit a metallic burning smell if they’re worn or damaged and overheat. You’ll also likely hear whining or squealing sounds when bearings go bad and are overheating.
Worn drum glide bearings or a worn out felt seal can allow the drum to scrape against the metal bulkhead in the dryer. You’ll likely hear metallic scraping noise when this occurs.
You’ll likely need to have a service technician examine the dryer and replace parts that are making metallic burning smells.
What to expect when you experience a Samsung 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.
Samsung Dryer Smells Like Burning
If you suspect burning inside your dryer, leave your home and immediately call 911 to have the fire department check the dryer and extinguish the fire.
If the burner smell is not severe and smells like dust or lint burning – the same smell you detect when you start your furnace or heater for the first time in the fall – lint buildup could be heating up and smoking inside the dryer cabinet.
Stop the dryer and schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician check the dryer. The technician will open the cabinet and check for lint around the burner assembly or heating element. Clearing out that lint may fix the problem.
Clearing lint and debris from the lint duct system going to the outside of your home will help prevent burning smells coming from your Samsung dryer. Clean lint out of the flexible vent hose behind the dryer. If needed, have an air duct cleaning service clean the dryer exhaust air duct system going to the outside of your home. Also clear lint from the lint screen before starting each load. Wash the lint screen with water and soft bristle brush monthly to remove dryer sheet and fabric softener buildup on the screen.
If you smell burning wire insulation, carefully unplug the dryer without touching the cabinet or shut off the house circuit breaker to the dryer to disconnect electrical power. Burning wire insulation typically indicates a short in wiring or a dryer component. Have your Samsung dryer that smells like burning wire insulation serviced by a repair technician before plugging the appliance back in.
A singed odor from a Samsung dryer usually means lint is contacting hot surfaces or the motor’s overheating. Running it further can risk fires. Shut it off and call dryer repair near me. Professionals pinpoint the source and secure safe operation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.