How hot should the side of the dryer get?

Author: Dr. Marcelino Bashirian  |  Last update: Thursday, July 10, 2025

Hot surfaces: The outside of your dryer should feel warm when it's running, but it shouldn't feel hot to the touch. The same goes for the clothing inside the dryer.

Is it normal for the side of a dryer to get hot?

That vent on the back is where all the hot air from the heater comes through. It does get hot, and the metal will discolor, that is normal. If things are actually burning the clothes, this is due to air not circulating properly.

How hot should the outside of my dryer get?

185F is normal. Newer dryers run a bit cooler, but for an older model 185 is fine.

Why is my dryer so hot to the touch?

The most common maintenance issue is a blocked or restricted exhaust vent. Over time, lint and debris can accumulate in the vent, restricting the flow of hot air out of the dryer. This blockage can cause the internal temperature to rise dangerously high.

How hot should a dryer heating element get?

The recommended temperature for a clothes dryer typically ranges from 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 66 degrees Celsius). When testing a dryer with no clothes in it and a restrictive vent system the temps inside can get even up to 250f.

Top Reasons Electric Dryer Is Overheating — Dryer Troubleshooting

How do I know if my dryer is getting hot enough?

You can see whether this is the issue by starting your machine on high heat. Then, find the outside exhaust vent, and feel whether the air is warm and has a steady flow. If you don't feel much airflow, you may be dealing with a blocked dryer vent or blocked ductwork.

How do you know heating element is bad in dryer?

The heating element is broken if your dryer runs but won't heat up to dry your clothes. This could be an electrical issue with the circuit breaker or a mechanical issue with the appliance itself.

Should a dryer be hot to the touch on the back?

If your dryer is hot to the touch, it means heat isn't being exhausted out of the dryer properly due to a blockage. A clogged dryer vent can cause the dryer's heating element to overheat, leading to a fire.

How do I know if my dryer is burning?

Burning smell when you run the dryer

It's probably dryer lint, which is very flammable. If you smell a burning odor, stop using your dryer immediately and have it inspected ASAP.

What part of the dryer makes it hot?

Heating Element Assembly

The heating element warms the air as it passes over the element. If a faulty element is a problem, it may produce heat continuously, even if the dryer has reached the proper temperature. When this happens, the dryer gets too hot.

How hot is a normal dryer?

HOW HOT DOES A CLOTHES DRYER GET? Your dryer temperature can vary depending on your dryer type and available settings, but the temperature typically falls somewhere between 120° and 160°F. Select commercial dryer temperatures may get as high as 176°F.

Will a dryer shut off if it overheats?

After a short while, a dryer with a clogged filter will start overheating and shut off by safety.

Should my dryer vent be hot to the touch?

Is it normal for my dryer vent to feel warm? Yes, a slight warmth to the touch is normal for a functioning dryer vent. However, you might have a clogged vent if it feels excessively hot.

How hot should the outside of the dryer be?

Hot surfaces: The outside of your dryer should feel warm when it's running, but it shouldn't feel hot to the touch.

What are the symptoms of a bad dryer?

The 6 Most Common Dryer Problems (and How to Fix Them!)
  • Clothes Stay Wet. Obviously, the clearest sign that the dryer isn't working is when the cycle shuts off and the clothes are still wet! ...
  • Everything is Wrinkly. ...
  • Excessive Noise. ...
  • Getting Too Hot. ...
  • Machine Vibrates and Moves. ...
  • Turns Off Too Early. ...
  • When You Need Dryer Repair.

Why can't you lay a dryer on its side?

It is highly recommended that you do not lay either your washer or dryer on its side. Doing so can hurt the drum or other parts inside. Always move these appliances standing up. Use shipping bolts or transit bolts to keep the washer drum's back secure.

How do I know if my dryer is overheating?

How Do You Know if the Dryer is Too Hot? The tell-tale sign that your dryer is too hot is damage to your clothes. If you pull your clothes out of the dryer and notice that there are burn marks on them, your dryer is running far too hot. If your dryer is hot to the touch, that may be another sign of too much heat.

How to tell if your dryer is a fire hazard?

Burning Odour Coming From Your Dryer
  1. Drying Times Are Slower & Slower. ...
  2. Extremely Hot Dryer and Clothes. ...
  3. Check Filter Light is On. ...
  4. Your Dryer Vent Flap Has Trouble opening or is Visibly Clogged. ...
  5. There are Pieces of Lint Scattered Around the Location of the Dryer. ...
  6. Your Last Dryer Vent Cleaning was Over a Year ago.

Is it normal for steam to come out of a dryer vent outside?

If the vent is clogged or too narrow for proper airflow, it can cause heat and excess moisture to build up. The vent can also become damaged, punctured, or crushed and moved in its day-to-day operation, leading to overall issues with your dryer, signaled by steam build-up.

Why is the side of my dryer hot?

Over time, your dryer's heating elements can break down or shift, causing them to make contact with components that they shouldn't. As a result, the heating element can warm the drum of the dryer, making it much hotter than it should be.

How to check for clogged dryer vent?

Signs You Need to Clean Your Dryer Vent

The outside of the dryer feels unusually hot during operation. There's a burning smell while the dryer is running. Lint buildup is visible around the dryer's lint trap or vent opening. The lint trap doesn't capture as much lint as it used to.

Why does the dryer smell like it's burning?

Common causes of a burning smell from a dryer include lint buildup or a failing thermostat, motor, or belt. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, appliances and electronics start 24,200 house fires yearly. About a third of fires related to dryers are caused by excess lint buildup, so it's time to investigate.

How do you tell if your dryer is going out?

Look for these five signs that indicate a dryer is broken and call a professional dryer repair service to bring your appliance back to proper function.
  1. The machine won't turn on. ...
  2. A drum that won't turn. ...
  3. Weak or insufficient heat. ...
  4. Strange noises. ...
  5. Overheating.

Why is my dryer only getting warm?

There are several reasons why your dryer may not be drying correctly. Some situations that may cause your dryer to not heat properly include a lack of power, an issue with the size of the load or its wetness, an issue with the heating element or a blown thermal fuse.

What is the life expectancy of a dryer heating element?

Why Does a Dryer Heating Element Go Bad? Our clothes dryers work hard and their heating elements have a natural lifespan. They can often need replacing after around 15 years of work.

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