A clogged dryer vent is the leading cause of residential dryer fires in the United States, responsible for over 2,900 home fires annually according to the NFPA. It also dramatically reduces your dryer’s efficiency, causing clothes to take multiple cycles to dry and the dryer to overheat. This guide explains how to identify a clogged vent and what to do about it.
Signs Your Kenmore Dryer Vent Is Clogged
- Clothes take more than one cycle to fully dry
- Clothes feel unusually hot at the end of a normal cycle
- The dryer exterior is hot to the touch
- A burning smell during operation (lint burning in the vent)
- The laundry room feels more humid than usual during drying
- Your Kenmore dryer displays an F30 or airflow error code
- The exterior vent flap does not open during operation
How Often to Clean Your Dryer Vent
Clean the lint trap after every load. Clean the dryer vent duct annually if you dry 5–8 loads per week. If you have a large family or dry more than 8 loads weekly, clean the vent every 6 months. If you have a long vent run (more than 15 feet) or multiple elbows, clean it more frequently.
DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning Steps
- Unplug the dryer and disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer.
- Use a dryer vent cleaning brush kit (available at hardware stores) to clean the vent hose and the duct in the wall.
- Go outside and clean the exterior vent cap — remove the cover and clean lint from the opening and flap.
- Reconnect everything and run the dryer on air-fluff (no heat) for 15 minutes to blow out any remaining lint.
When to Call a Professional
Long vent runs, vent ducts in walls or ceilings, and crushed or kinked flexible duct sections require professional cleaning equipment. If your vent shows signs of damage or your dryer continues to have performance issues after cleaning, schedule a professional dryer vent inspection with our certified Kenmore technicians.