How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Dryer That’s Too Hot
A dryer that’s too hot to touch usually has airflow problems; this may depend on how new the dryer is. The area where the excessive heat is coming from is also an important consideration. Is it coming from the back of the dryer? Or from the top of it? Or from inside the tub? This issue may be accompanied by a burning smell. You may have also noticed that your dried laundry has scorch marks on it.
This repair guide comes with 3D renderings and step-by-step instructional videos that will help you assess your dryer. Your dryer may be overheating because of a common use case issue or a damaged part. If one of its parts needs replacing, we will show you how to inspect, remove, and install the part in question.
Using This Page, You Will Be Able to Troubleshoot the Following Symptoms
- The dryer is too hot on top
- The dryer is too hot, at the back of the machine
- The dryer's tub is too hot, from the inside
Inspect These Common Issues First
If you find that your dryer door isn’t closing properly, check these common problem areas firIf you notice that your dryer is overheating, check these common problem areas first. Sometimes, this symptom can be resolved through a simple fix without the need to replace any of the dryer’s parts.
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Has Your Dryer Finished Its Cool-Down Cycle?
A dryer has a cool-down cycle that takes 5 to 10 minutes. At this stage, it stops producing heat and starts pulling room-temperature air into it. If you’re drying a load of clothes, ensure that your dryer has completed this cycle by watching for when the machine stops or when its buzzer goes off. You should then check your laundry to see whether it’s too hot to touch.
Has an Error Code Appeared?
If your dryer has a digital display, it may show an error code, which would help you narrow down the issue at hand. Consult your user manual and diagnose your dryer problem accordingly. If the error code is related to heating problems or airflow issues, it’s worth troubleshooting your dryer’s parts using the links below.
Is the Top of Your Dryer Too Hot to Touch?
Residential dryers operate in a range of 125 to 135°F (52 to 57°C). While it could be tricky to tell if your dryer is too hot to touch, there are three signs you could look out for: a burning smell coming from your dryer, scorch marks on your clothes, or your dryer shutting off during its cycle.
Is There a Burning Smell Coming from It? Are Your Clothes Getting Scorch Marks?
Both instances are commonly caused by lint buildup. Lint is highly flammable and can catch fire during your dryer’s cycle. When this happens, a burning odor is released. Too much lint can also block the dryer’s airflow, causing the dryer to overheat and scorch the fabric of your clothes. In these scenarios, it’s imperative that the lint screen is cleaned. The screen should also be cleared of lint after every load.
Is Your Dryer Vent Clogged?
If your screen is free of lint, it could mean that your dryer vent is clogged. If your clothes are taking too long to dry, are overly hot, or smell musty, your dryer vent may need to be cleaned. Other warning signs include visible lint accumulation in the vent hood or your laundry room feeling humid. You should clean out the dryer vent at least once every year.
Is Your Dryer Overloaded?
Loading your dryer with too many articles of clothing prevents it from tumbling properly. Your clothes can then cause the dryer to become too hot as they could potentially block the heat vent. They may also start to burn through constant contact with the drum. Try to ensure that your laundry, fills no more than just over half the drum’s capacity, at most.
Is Your Dryer Shutting off Halfway through Its Cycle?
This is a safety feature most dryers have. Your dryer's high-limit thermostat measures its internal temperature. This thermostat recognizes when your dryer becomes too hot midcycle, at which point the thermal fuse will trip. Cutting the electricity this way helps to prevent a fire from starting. The thermostat is a one-time use part and must be replaced once it’s blown. If it does, this is also an indication that there is an underlying issue causing your dryer to overheat—in which case you would need to find out whether there are any parts within your dryer that are malfunctioning.
Is Your Dryer Brand New? Did You Recently Install New Parts in It?
Brand-new dryers tend to become very hot. In their initial uses, they may also release unusual smells because of the oils or coatings applied to them during their manufacture. This may also happen if you’ve just replaced a part within your dryer. To combat the odor, you could try using a lower heat setting or running your dryer normally for 15 minutes to off-gas any chemicals.
Is the Inside of Your Dryer Glowing Red or Orange?
This is completely normal and is most noticeable when you interrupt your dryer’s cycle to add or remove an article of clothing. The glow is attributable to the dryer’s heating element.
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Common Parts You May Need to Replace
The list of parts below are the most common causes of your dryer becoming too hot. More information—such as part descriptions, 3D renderings, and installation instructions—is available on the individual part pages.
- Vent The dryer vent is a silver tube that ferries hot air and lint out of the dryer. If your dryer is overheating, its ductwork may be clogged by accumulated lint. Because of this blockage, hot air then remains within the drum for longer than necessary.
- Lint Trap Also known as the lint screen, the lint trap catches the lint from your laundry as it dries. If your dryer is overheating, the lint screen may be full and hot air then becomes trapped inside the cabinet. This can be easily remedied by cleaning the screen.
- Cycling Thermostat Also known as the thermistor, the cycling thermostat regulates the temperature of the air within the dryer. If your dryer is overheating, this thermostat may be broken, thereby preventing your dryer from maintaining desired temperatures inside the drum.
- High-Limit Thermostat Also known as the thermal fuse, the high-limit thermostat cuts off the power to your dryer when its internal temperature becomes too high. If your dryer is overheating, this thermostat may be broken and therefore cannot trip the power when needed.
- Heating Element The heating element is designed to heat the air inside the dryer. If your dryer is overheating, the heating element may be malfunctioning and, as a result, producing too much heat.
- Blower Wheel The blower wheel is responsible for circulating the air inside the dryer and transporting it out of its exhaust system. If your dryer is overheating, this wheel may be clogged or damaged.
- Timer The timer controls all the operations of the dryer through all the drying cycles. If your dryer is overheating, the timer may not be initiating the correct function at the correct time.
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