Kenmore Dryer Overheating

The most common reason for a dryer to overheat is clogging in the exhaust vent behind the dryer. The exhaust vent allows hot air to travel out of the dryer and out of your home. As your dryer dries your garments, lint attaches to the lint trap and some passes through the lint trap and into the dryer vent. It's good practice to empty the lint trap after every load of laundry, and to clean the dryer vent periodically to prevent a fire caused by the lint igniting.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Screwdriver
• Flashlight

Instructions

1. Locate the dryer's lint trap. The lint trap is located either on the door jamb or on the top of the dryer.

2. Pull out the lint trap and remove all lint off the trap.

3. Clean the lint trap slot using a vacuum cleaner with a lint brush attachment. Replace the lint trap.

4. Pull the dryer away from the wall outlet and unplug the power cable.

5. Loosen the screws on the vent clamps. Pull the vent off the wall vent and the rear dryer exhaust pipe.

6. Empty all debris from inside of the vent into a trash can. Vacuum the vent using the cleaner's lint brush attachment.

7. Inspect the inside of the wall vent using a flashlight. If excessive lint build-up is present, hire a professional company to clean the exterior vent.

8. Reconnect the vent and secure both ends using the vent clamps. Plug the dryer back into the wall outlet and push the dryer back against the wall.

References

• Laundry Alternative: How to Clean a Dryer Vent
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission; Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires; June 2003
• Manage My Life: Kenmore Dryers Owner's Manual 40289032010