A burning plastic smell from your dryer usually means **overheating**, **blocked airflow**, or a **faulty component**. The good news: many checks can be done safely before calling a technician.
🧪 Common Causes of Burning Smell
- Lint buildup restricting airflow
- Motor is overworking
- Loose wire or failing thermostat
- Plastic item stuck in drum
- Belt slipping or overheating
🧰 What to Check First
- Unplug dryer — wait 5 minutes
- Clean lint trap and exhaust hose
- Check for melted items inside drum
- Restart and try “Air Dry” mode only
⚠ When to Stop Using It
- Burning smell gets stronger
- Smoke or sparks appear
- Heat turns off suddenly
- Circuit breaker trips
🔗 Related FixifyHome Guides
- Dryer making whining noise?
- Dryer squeaking — all brands
- Dryer runs but no heat
- All common dryer problems
Last updated: 27 Nov 2025