What’s Causing Your Washing Machine Burning Smell? 5 Common Culprits and Solutions

From sweaty gym socks to a mildewy machine, there are a few unpleasant odors that you might encounter while doing laundry. But if there’s one thing you really don’t want to smell, it’s a burning scent. Washing machine burning smells can occur for several reasons, including worn-out belts, pulleys, and motors. Here’s how to pinpoint—and fix—the cause of a burning smell from your washing machine.

1. Broken or Loose Drive Belt

Drive belts transfer power from a washer’s motor to the drum, which helps it spin. Since these essential parts of a washing machine see a lot of action, they commonly loosen, wear down, or break. When that happens, your washer will stop spinning, and you might notice a squeaking sound or burning smell.

Tightening or replacing a drive belt is one of the few washing machine repairs that you can handle yourself—as long as you have some DIY experience. If you decide to tackle this project on your own, make sure to unplug the machine and disconnect the power and water before getting to work. Your user manual should have information about how to access the drive belt.

Alternatively, you can call a professional to fix or replace the belt. On average, this kind of washing machine repair costs $140 to $150.

2. Damaged Pulley

If your washer has a drive belt, it also has a pulley system. A pulley’s job is to move the belt back and forth, which allows the belt to spin the washing machine’s drum (and clean your clothes).

Over time, a pulley may break down or become rusty, which can create friction between it and the belt. This can lead to overheating and a burning smell in your washing machine.

Again, if you’re confident in your DIY skills, you may be able to replace a broken pulley. To do so, you’ll need to unplug the washer, cut the power and water, inspect the pulley for damage, and swap it out if needed. Otherwise, it’s probably best to leave this job to a washing machine repair pro near you.

3. Faulty Motor

Motors power a variety of mechanical functions in washing machines, including spinning and agitation. When a motor malfunctions, it may start to make a humming sound or produce a burning scent—and you should unplug the appliance right away.

Identifying and fixing motor issues requires electrical expertise, so you should recruit a professional electrician for this type of work. You can expect to pay a pro $320 to $400 for motor repair.

4. Blocked Drain Pump

A drain pump’s role is to push water out of your washing machine. But sometimes debris, including soap, lint, and grease, can block the drain pump and cause a number of problems. One of those issues? A burning smell in your washing machine.

In some cases, it’s possible to unclog a washer drain on your own. To try, unplug the washing machine, disconnect the power and water, and check your user manual for instructions on how to access the pump. Then, remove anything that’s obstructing it. 

If your washing machine smells like burning rubber even after clearing the drain pump, the problem may be related to the belt, pulley, or motor. If so, you can try the steps outlined above or call a pro to get to the bottom of it.

5. Bad Electrical Connection

In some cases, if your washing machine smells like burning, it might be due to an issue with the electrical connection or power cord. 

If you spot any damage to your washing machine’s power cord or socket, stop using it immediately. Then, disconnect the power and call a licensed electrician ASAP. 

Keep in mind that your washer’s power cord should always be plugged directly into a dedicated wall socket; using an extension cord or power strip can cause an electrical overload and a fire risk.