Dryer Overheating or Too Hot: Causes and What to Do

ByDryer Repair Kenmore

A dryer should be warm, not dangerously hot. If your clothes come out too hot to hold, the dryer shell feels very hot, or you smell something scorched, treat it as a warning. Stop the dryer and find out why.

Safety first. Stop the cycle, unplug the dryer and let it cool. For a gas dryer, shut off the gas valve too. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company. If you see smoke or flames, leave and call 911.

Common causes

  • A blocked lint filter or vent. This is the leading cause. Heat cannot leave, so it builds up. Failure to clean is the top cause of dryer fires, according to the NFPA dryer fact sheet.
  • A crushed or long vent hose. A kinked hose behind the dryer chokes airflow.
  • A stuck or failed thermostat. The thermostat is supposed to switch the heat off. If it fails, the heat can stay on.
  • A heating element or relay that stays on in an electric dryer.
  • A gas valve problem in a gas dryer, where the flame does not cycle off as it should.
  • An overloaded drum or a very small room with no airflow.

What to check first

  • Clean the lint filter every load. Wash it if it is coated with fabric softener film.
  • Check the vent hose behind the dryer for kinks, crushing or loose joints.
  • Check the outside vent flap. It should open freely when the dryer runs. Remove nests, lint and any cover that blocks it.
  • Run a small load for a short time. If it still gets too hot, stop using the dryer.

When to call a technician

If the dryer is still too hot after the vent is clear, the thermostat, element or gas valve may be faulty. Do not use the dryer until it is checked. See our gas dryer repair and electric dryer repair pages, and read the warning signs and fire safety guide.

If your dryer overheats in Kenmore, WA, our dryer repair in Kenmore, WA service can test the safety parts and replace the one that failed.

Why overheating is a safety problem

A dryer that runs too hot can scorch clothes, wear out parts and start a fire. According to the NFPA report summarized by the US Department of Energy, failure to clean was the leading cause of home dryer and washer fires, at 29 percent in that report. The report is older, but the lesson holds. Lint and a blocked vent are the usual cause.

What a technician checks

  • Airflow, by testing the vent from the dryer to the outside.
  • The thermostat and the high-limit thermostat.
  • The heating element and its relay or control in an electric dryer.
  • The gas valve and flame control in a gas dryer.
  • The drum seals and the blower wheel for lint build-up.

How to prevent it

  • Clean the lint filter every load.
  • Have the vent cleaned when drying slows down.
  • Do not dry items with oil, gasoline or other flammable stains on them.
  • Never run the dryer while you are away from home or asleep.

Common questions

Why are my clothes hot to touch when the dryer stops?

Clothes are warm at the end of a cycle, but they should not be too hot to hold. If they are, the heat may not be switching off as it should, or air cannot escape.

Can an overheating dryer start a fire?

Yes. Heat, lint and a blocked vent together are a fire risk. Stop using the dryer if it overheats.

How often should I clean the vent?

There is no fixed schedule for every home. Clean it when drying takes longer, when the outside flap does not open, or at least once a year if you are unsure.

Is a hot outside of the dryer normal?

The cabinet can feel warm. If it is too hot to touch, or you smell burning, stop using it and call a technician.

Need help? Dryer Repair Kenmore repairs gas and electric dryers in Kenmore, WA. Call (425) 555-0100 or use the contact page. We are open 24 hours.

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