Visible smoke or gas smell (gas dryer)
Warning
If your gas dryer is smoking or you smell gas, clear the building of all occupants and contact emergency services.
- Do not turn on appliances or electrical switches.
- Do not use a phone in the building.
Visible smoke (electric dryer)
Caution
If your electric dryer is smoking, turn it off and visit our
Support Center to request service.
Burning smell
- If the dryer's new, it is burning off the oil residue from shipping. Run the dryer empty for about 15 minutes to dissipate the odor.
- You should periodically clean the lint trap and the exhaust vent.
- Make sure you're using the right settings for the clothing you are drying. For instance, rayon or other synthetic fabrics on high heat could potentially burn.
If you've identified the source of the odor and taken care of it, make sure to clean the drum.
If the burning smell continues, turn off the dryer at the circuit breaker and visit our Support Center to request service.
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Electrical smell
Turn off the dryer at the circuit breaker and visit our
Support Center to request service.
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Dead animal smell
A small animal (bird, mouse, lizard, etc.) might have climbed into the exhaust vent from outside. Small animals are drawn to the exhaust vent because of the warmth. Make sure this vent has some kind of laundry exhaust vent cover which won't block lint from leaving but will block animals from entering.
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Mold or mildew or sour clothing
Certain smells like sulfur or mildew may be hard to notice when the laundry is cold and wet. However, once you place the clothes in the dryer and heat them up, that's when they begin to smell bad. This does not mean the dryer is the source of the smell.
- It's possible the odor could be coming from the laundry itself. For example, if wet clothes were sitting for too long, they can begin to mildew or sour.
- It's also possible the washing machine may be the true source of the odor, not the dryer, particularly if the washing machine is not kept clean on a regular basis.
- And a final possibility is the water you're using to wash with could be to blame, particularly if it is high in sulfur.
If you've identified the source of the odor and taken care of it, make sure to clean the drum.
Service is not required for a mold or mildew smell.
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