Tumble dryer smells: causes and safe checks

Usually simple

Quick answer

A dryer can draw smells from the room it’s in and blow them out again, which Samsung says is normal. Otherwise, clean the fluff filter and the condenser or heat exchanger, and keep the room ventilated. A burning smell is different: stop the dryer, unplug it if safe, and see our burning smell guide.

Also covers: tumble dryer damp smell · clothes smell after tumble dryer.

This can be normal

Samsung says a dryer can take in household odours from the surrounding air and blow them out in its exhaust, and that this is normal.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • You smell burning, see smoke or scorch marks, or the appliance trips your electrics. Stop using it, and switch it off at the wall only if it is safe to reach. Otherwise switch off at the consumer unit.
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Clean the fluff (lint) filter

  1. Open the door and pull out the fluff filter. On most models it sits in the door opening.
  2. Open it and remove the fluff with your fingers. Use a vacuum cleaner for heavy build-up, and clear fluff from the filter slot and door seal too.
  3. Hold the filter up to the light. If you can’t see through it, residue is blocking it. Wash it under running water and let it dry.
  4. Refit it fully. Do this after every load.

Never run the dryer without the filter fitted.

Replace a torn filter rather than using it.

Clean the condenser or heat exchanger Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
Tumble dryer filter, tank and condenser Water tank empty after every cycle Fluff filter in the door opening Condenser cover condenser/heat pump only
Tumble dryer filter, tank and condenser. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Condenser and heat pump dryers only. Open the condenser cover as your manual shows.
  2. Heat pump dryers: remove fluff from the heat exchanger with a damp cloth or a vacuum brush attachment. Wear gloves, because the metal fins are sharp, and don’t bend them.
  3. Condenser dryers: if your model has a removable condenser block, slide it out level so it doesn’t spill, rinse it through over a basin, and refit it.
  4. Close and lock the cover. Check the condenser at least once a month.

Don’t run the dryer with a condenser blocked by fluff.

Check the room temperature and ventilation

  1. Dryers work best in a ventilated room between about 5°C and 35°C.
  2. Don’t run a dryer shut inside an unventilated cupboard. Leave space around it.
  3. In a small room, open a door or window while it runs.

Step-by-step guides

Related problems

More tumble dryer problems and codes, or use the fault finder.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.