Electrolux Dryer: burning clothes

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Electrolux dryer is causing clothes to emit a burning smell or appear singed during a dry cycle, it's crucial to address this issue promptly. Common causes include lint buildup restricting airflow, a faulty heating element, or motor overheating. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to further damage or safety hazards.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

Common community reports link Electrolux dryers to burning smell when lint accumulates in housing and vent; check Electrolux-specific lint trap designs and manuals.
Drive motor referenced as a cause for burning smell in Electrolux models on RepairClinic.

Possible Causes

Excessive lint buildup in lint trap/vent and restricted airflow

How to Identify: Burning smell during operation, longer drying times, visible lint accumulation in trap and vent, overheating dryer

Part: Lint trap, lint housing, vent duct

Faulty or damaged heating element

How to Identify: Burning smell originating from internal elements rather than clothes fabric, possible visible damage to element on inspection

Part: Heating element assembly

Internal motor overheating due to obstruction or wear

How to Identify: Burning electrical or mechanical smell (not just lint, unusual noises, dryer may stop or fail to start

Part: Dryer drive motor

Fabric scorched by excessive heat or prolonged cycles

How to Identify: Clothes hotter than normal, unusual dryness or singeing on fabric

Part: Dryer thermostat or control system

DIY Solutions

Clean lint trap, lint housing, and vent

Moderate 30â€“60 minutes

Tools Needed: vacuum with hose, lint brush for dryer ducts

Unplug dryer and pull it away from wall
Remove and clean lint trap; use brush/vacuum to remove lint from housing
Disconnect vent from dryer and clean lint from duct with brush/vacuum
Reassemble and test run

⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug before cleaning vents

Visual inspection of heating element

Advanced 60â€“90 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdrivers, multimeter

Unplug dryer
Open access panel to locate heating element assembly
Visually inspect for broken wires or burned coils
Test continuity with multimeter and replace if open
Reassemble dryer and test

⚠️ Safety First: Power must be off; heating elements pose burn risk

Professional Repairs

Heating element replacement

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Motor repair or replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Vent and duct professional cleaning

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Burning smell persists after lint/vent cleaning

Visual signs of burnt wiring or melting inside dryer

Dryer fails to operate normally (overheating, shutting off mid-cycle)

Preventive Maintenance

Clean lint trap after every load: Lint buildup, overheating and burning smell
Frequency: after each use
Deep clean vent duct annually: Restricted airflow and associated overheating causes
Frequency: annually
Inspect heating element and internal components periodically: Early detection of damage causing overheating
Frequency: yearly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Dryer burning clothes?

Common causes include excessive lint buildup, a faulty heating element, or motor overheating.

How do I fix Electrolux Dryer burning clothes myself?

Clean the lint trap and vent, and inspect the heating element for damage.

How much does it cost to fix burning clothes?

Professional repairs range from $80 for vent cleaning to $400 for motor replacement.

When should I call a technician for burning clothes?

If DIY solutions donâ€™t resolve the issue, or if you notice severe damage or odors.

References & Sources

Dryer Smells Like Burning? Hereâ€™s Why, and How to Fix It Repair-Blog

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

70%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Lint buildup in the dryer vent or lint trap, causing overheating
Faulty thermostat that fails to regulate temperature, leading to excessive heat
Malfunctioning heating element that may be stuck in the 'on' position

User Suggested Solutions

Clean the lint trap and vent thoroughly. Disconnect the dryer, remove the lint trap, and clean it with a brush. Use a vacuum to clear the vent duct from the dryer to the outside.
Test and replace the thermostat if defective. Use a multimeter to check continuity. If there's no continuity, replace the thermostat with a compatible part.
Inspect and replace the heating element if it is stuck in the 'on' position. Disconnect the dryer, remove the heating element assembly, and check for any signs of damage or malfunction.