Dryer Smells Like Burning: What It Means And How To Fix It?

Your dryer smelling like something’s burning can make your heart jump a little. And honestly, that reaction is completely normal. 

In fact, a burning smell coming from the laundry room is something you never want to brush off.

You see, dryers work really hard. They blow out a lot of hot air, collect tons of lint, and rely on a bunch of moving parts to get your clothes dry. 

Now, when any of those things get blocked, worn out, or overheated, you might notice that weird burning odor. Sometimes it’s something small and easy to fix, and sometimes it’s a sign you need to stop the dryer and call in dryer vent experts.

The good news? 

Most dryer-burning smells are preventable and pretty simple to catch early. 

In this blog, I will tell you exactly why your dryer smells like burning, how to troubleshoot safely, and how you can keep it from happening again. 

So, let’s get started. 

Key takeaways 

• A burning smell from your dryer is never normal and should be checked right away.
  
• Lint buildup is the most common cause of burning odors.
  
• Always unplug the dryer if you smell burning, especially if it’s strong or sharp.
  
• Clean the lint trap every load and the vent at least once a year.
  
• Overheating parts, clogged vents, or electrical issues need professional repair.
   
• Avoid drying items with oil, chemicals, or rubber backing.
  
• If the burning smell is too strong, stop the dryer and call a technician to stay safe.

Dryer smells like burning: What’s the cause? 

A burning smell from your dryer can feel scary, but most of the time it comes down to a handful of common issues. 

Dryers deal with a lot of heat, air, and lint. This is especially true for the winter season in New Jersey when you have a lot of laundry, including heavy woolen clothes. 

And even if a small part gets blocked, overheats, or wears out, you will notice a smoky or burnt smell.

But most of these problems are fixable, and even preventable, once you know what to look for.

Here are the most common reasons why you get that burning smell from dryer: 

1. Lint buildup in the filter, drum, or vent

Lint is sneaky. So much so that even if you clean the lint trap every time, tiny pieces of lint still slip past the screen. 

Over time, that lint collects inside the dryer’s housing, the vent duct, or the exhaust hose. 

And since lint is extremely flammable, it only takes a little bit of trapped heat to make it start to smoke. This is often the burning smell you notice first. 

Think of it like dust burning on a hot surface. If you ever smell a warm, toasty, dusty odor, lint buildup is usually the culprit.

2. Clogged or restricted vent/duct/exhaust hose

Your dryer needs to push hot and moist air out through the vent. And a lot of times, this airflow gets blocked due to lint, a kinked hose, or even an outside vent cover stuck closed. 

When this happens, heat can’t escape. And with trapped heat, the inside of the dryer gets hotter and hotter until something starts to smell like it’s burning.

A clogged vent can also make the dryer work twice as hard. You might notice longer drying times, warm or damp clothes, or even the outside of the dryer feeling hotter than normal. 

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3. Worn or overworked mechanical parts 

Dryers have moving parts that spin, roll, and keep the drum turning smoothly. And these parts do wear down with time, especially if the dryer is older or often overloaded. 

When belts or rollers get worn out, they can rub, slip, or grind, creating friction and heat. This heat can smell like burning rubber or hot metal. 

If the dryer starts making weird sounds along with the smell (squeaking, grinding, thumping), that’s your clue that something mechanical needs attention. 

It doesn’t always mean your dryer is dying, but it does mean a repair is needed sooner rather than later.

4. Heating element, thermostat, or electrical Issues

This is the more serious category. 

If you’ve got a broken dryer heating element, failed thermostat, or there’s an electrical problem, you might smell something sharp, chemical-like, or like melting plastic. 

And let me tell you this is not a smell to ignore. That’s because electrical components can overheat quickly and become a fire hazard. 

So, if the burning smell is strong, acrid, or you see any smoke at all, turn the dryer off immediately and unplug it. 

This is the moment you should call a professional as electrical components are not safe to DIY unless you’re trained to handle them.

5. Flammable or heat-sensitive clothing 

Sometimes the dryer itself isn’t the problem, it’s what’s inside. 

Clothes with oil stains, chemical residue, or food grease can heat up and start to smell like they’re burning. 

Also, items with plastic or rubber parts (like bath mats with rubber backing, sneakers, or kids’ toys accidentally thrown in) can melt or give off a strong burnt smell. 

Even certain fabrics that aren’t meant for high heat, like your leather jackets, can give off a weird odor. 

I suggest you always check labels and avoid drying things that might melt, burn, or react badly to heat.

TL;DR, here’s why your dryer smells like burning

What to do if the dryer smells like burning?

When your dryer gives off a burning smell, the most important thing is to stay calm but act quickly. 

A burning odor doesn’t always mean something serious, but it can be a warning sign that something isn’t right. And since dryers get very hot, you don’t want to take chances.

So, before running another load, I suggest you pause, do a few quick checks, and make sure everything is safe. 

Here are a few things you can do when your clothes dryer smells like burning: 

1. Stop the dryer and unplug it

The very first thing to do is shut the dryer down completely. 

Don’t let it finish the cycle. Just turn it off and unplug it from the wall. 

If you have a gas dryer, go ahead and turn off the gas valve too. 

This stops heat from building up and prevents any electrical or gas-related risks. 

You see, even if the smell seems mild, unplugging removes any chance of something getting worse while you’re checking things out. 

2. Do not run another cycle and let the dryer cool down

You might want to restart the dryer to see if the smell comes back, but don’t do that yet. Give the dryer time to cool off completely. 

A hot dryer can make lint, dust, or worn parts smell worse, and you won’t get an accurate idea of what’s going on. 

Cooling it down first helps you figure out whether the smell was caused by heat buildup or something more serious. 

Plus, if something inside was overheating, restarting the dryer could make the situation unsafe. So, a few minutes of patience can prevent a lot of trouble.

3. Clean the lint trap thoroughly, even if you already cleaned it

Pull out the lint screen and clean the lint in dryer like you normally do. Also, go a step further and use your fingers or a small vacuum attachment to reach down into the lint trap housing. 

You’ll find a surprising amount of lint hiding in that deeper area, and that hidden lint is what often overheats and starts to smell. Even a thin layer can cause a burning dusty odor. 

In fact, if you’ve washed items that shed a lot (like towels or fleece), even more lint might be trapped. That’s exactly why this step alone fixes the problem for many people.

4. Inspect and clean the vent hose and exhaust duct 

Next, look at the vent hose behind the dryer. And if you can safely pull the dryer forward, detach the hose and check inside. 

Lint can build up in big clumps back there, and that trapped lint heats up quickly. I suggest you use a vacuum or your hand to remove anything you see. 

Also, check the long duct that leads outside. If it’s blocked or looks dusty, I suggest you clean out the dryer vent. 

A clogged vent is one of the top causes of burning smells and long drying times. And clearing it out helps your dryer breathe and keeps heat from getting trapped.

5. Feel the outside of the dryer (only if it is safe to touch)

Touch the top and sides of the dryer. They should feel warm, but not hot. If the outside feels extremely hot — or you smell something sharp, electrical, or like melting plastic — that’s a sign of overheating or a mechanical or electrical issue. In that case, don’t keep troubleshooting on your own. It’s safer to stop and call a technician. A dryer running hotter than it should is one of the clearest signs that something inside isn’t working the way it’s supposed to.

6. Avoid drying anything oily or chemical-stained

Were you drying a lot that had clothes with cooking oil, lotion, paint, cleaning chemicals, or other flammable substances?

If yes, those residues can overheat in there and make your dryer smell like burning. 

Worse, in some cases, they can even start smoking. 

So, remove those items and wash them again with extra detergent, or air-dry them instead. 

Also, check for items with rubber backing, plastic parts, or things that aren’t meant for high heat. These materials can melt or scorch, which creates strong burnt odors.

Note: If you see smoke or smell strong electrical burning, call a professional immediately 

If the burning smell is harsh, sharp, or chemical-like, or if you see even a tiny bit of smoke, don’t troubleshoot further and unplug the dryer right away. 

These signs often point to electrical problems or overheating parts, which need a trained technician. So, it’s better to stop everything and get help than to risk a fire. 

A professional can check wiring, heating elements, and internal components safely. 

TL;DR, here’s what to do if you get burning smell from dryer:

You might also want to read: How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Dryer Vents Cleaned?

What safety measures can you DIY and when should you call in a professional?

New Jersey residents often ask me if they can fix a burning smell on their own. 

Now, a lot of dryer issues are simple and safe enough for homeowners to check. For instance, you can do things like cleaning out lint or clearing the vent. 

But there are also times when the problem goes beyond basic cleaning and needs a trained professional to avoid bigger risks. 

Here’s how to tell:

Safety measures you can DIY:

• Empty the lint trap after every load
• Vacuum the lint trap housing and visible drum area every few months
• Detach and clean the vent hose and check the external vent for blockages
• Make sure you’re not drying overly heavy loads or items not meant for dryers

When you should call a professional:

• Smell persists after cleaning lint and vent, or smells like burning plastic/insulation
• Dryer feels extremely hot, makes odd noises, or doesn’t run smoothly
• You suspect electrical issues, faulty heating element, or mechanical failures

TL;DR, here’s when to DIY and when to call a professional:

How to fix burning smell from dryer in the long run?

The best way to avoid that burning smell in the future is to keep your dryer clean and give it a little regular attention. 

Dryers don’t need a ton of maintenance, but the few things they do need make a huge difference in how safely and efficiently they run. 

Here’s how you can maintain your dryer and prevent burning smell in the future: 

1. Clean the lint screen after every load

This tiny habit makes a big difference.

How?

The lint screen catches most of the fluff that comes off your clothes. But if it’s full, lint ends up in places you don’t want it, like inside the dryer or in the vent. 

A quick swipe after every load helps your dryer breathe better, run more efficiently, and stay much safer. It only takes a few seconds, but it prevents a lot of issues later.

2. Clean the vent and duct at least once a year

Even if you’re cleaning the lint trap, lint still travels into the vent and duct. Over time, it piles up and blocks airflow, causing that burning smell. 

So, I can’t overstate the benefits of annual dryer vent cleaning (or twice a year for busy households). 

3. Inspect the exhaust vent outside

Take a quick look at the vent on the outside of your home every so often and make sure the flap opens easily when the dryer runs. There shouldn’t be anything blocking it, no lint, leaves, or even birds trying to build a nest. 

If the vent can’t open properly, heat and lint get trapped inside the dryer, which is one of the reasons why you get that burning smell.

4. Avoid drying flammable or heat-sensitive items

Some things simply aren’t meant for the dryer. Items with rubber backing, plastic parts, or oily/chemical residues can overheat or melt, creating strong burning smells. 

Also, clothes with cooking oil, paint, or cleaning products on them should be washed thoroughly or air-dried. 

5. Don’t overload the dryer

Stuffing the dryer full might seem convenient, but it makes the machine work way harder.

Overloaded dryers don’t get good airflow, so everything inside heats up more than it should.

This puts extra stress on the motor, belts, and rollers. And that extra strain can lead to burning smells. 

So, i’s better to run two smaller loads than one giant one.

6. Schedule maintenance every few years

As dryers age, parts like belts, bearings, and rollers naturally wear down. 

A technician can spot these issues early before they cause overheating or burning odors. 

So, a quick check-up every few years can keep everything running safely and help you avoid surprise breakdowns. 

TL;DR, here’s how to prevent burning smell from dryer in the long run 

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Conclusion 

By now, I am sure you know why exactly your dryer smells like burning. 

You see, a burning smell from your dryer doesn’t always mean disaster. Sometimes it’s lint, sometimes airflow issues, or maybe just a heavy load. 

But it can also be a warning, especially if the smell is strong or smells like melting plastic.

So, if you ever feel unsure, it’s best to call in a qualified technician.

Got more questions or looking to schedule a dryer vent cleaning service?

You can get in touch with us!

At Clean Air Technologies, we are seasoned HVAC cleaning and maintenance professionals with over three decades of experience servicing New Jersey homes. And we’ve got all your dryer vent cleaning needs covered on a budget.  

FAQs about burning smell from dryer

Is it normal for a dryer to smell a little warm?

A warm smell is normal, especially right after a load of laundry. 

But a burning smell, like rubber, plastic, or something smoky, is not normal. 

If you notice anything other than a light warm laundry scent, stop the dryer and check for lint buildup or airflow issues.

Can a dryer actually catch fire from lint?

Yes, it can. 

Lint is extremely flammable, and when it builds up around heat sources, it can ignite. That’s why cleaning the lint trap and vent is so important. 

Most dryer fires start with lint. But it’s totally preventable with simple maintenance.

How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged?

A clogged vent often shows itself through signs like longer drying times, damp clothes, a hot dryer exterior, or a vent flap outside that barely opens. If your clothes take a lot longer than usual to dry, it’s usually a vent issue.

Why does my dryer smell like burning plastic?

A burning plastic smell usually points to something more serious, like an overheating part, a worn belt, or an electrical issue. It can also happen if something plastic accidentally got into the dryer. 

If the smell is strong or sharp, stop the dryer and unplug it.

How often should I clean my dryer vent?

Most homes should clean their vent once a year. If you use your dryer daily, have a large family, or notice lint buildup outside, cleaning it twice a year is even better.

Can oily clothes cause a burning smell in the dryer?

Yes! 

Clothes with cooking oil, body oils, or chemical stains can heat up and smell like they’re burning.

Some oils can even ignite at high temperatures. So, always wash these items thoroughly before drying or air-dry them to be safe.

When should I call a professional instead of fixing it myself?

If the burning smell persists, if the dryer feels overly hot, makes strange noises, or smells like melting plastic or electrical insulation, it’s time to call a technician.

Anything electrical or mechanical is safer in a professional’s hands.