So, you’ve just washed your hair and are ready to dry it. You reach for your blow dryer, turn it on, and out comes the horrendous smell of something burning. Is it the wiring, is it the motor, or worse is it your hair?!
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Why Does My Hair Dryer Emit a Burning Smell?
First, consider the cause of this smell. It’s crucial that you identify the reason that your hairdryer is emitting a smell. All hair dryers have a part of their design that is dedicated to the intake of air.
Most of the time this area of the blow dryer will become clogged above all with lint or dust and perhaps a few strands of hair during use. If your hair dryer sucks in this dirt and debris, the particles will become heated.
Every time you turn your hair dryer on, it will release this obnoxious burning smell. However, there are several causes of a burning smell, so take the time to identify your hair dryer’s problem.
1.) The Lint Trap or Ventilation Grille Is Dirty
Every hair dryer has this area dedicated to the intake of air. This space is generally designed with a built-in lint trap so that dust particles and hair are not pulled into the motor.
If you do not make it a point to clean this lint trap periodically, it can and will become clogged with dirt residue. This will restrict the flow of air into the dryer and produce an undesirable burning smell.
2.) Your Hair Dryer Is New
Sometimes a new hair dryer will emit a smell similar to burnt plastic because it is new. Hair dryers use organic compounds in their construction that will evaporate during use in the beginning. If this is the reason, the smell should disappear after several uses.
3.) Your Hair Dryer Is Old
If your hair dryer has been around for any length of time, like years, it will be less efficient than newer models. It probably will require more electricity to run, and perhaps this can lead to the dryer overheating.
With overheating, hair dryers can develop a burning smell. If your hair dryer is old, consider replacing it with a new model that offers better energy efficiency.
Older models also do not have the same cooling technology as new ones and may need time between heating to cooling.
4.) A Blocked Air Circuit
If the Air circuit or ventilation grille is blocked in any way, the hair dryer may overheat because the hot air cannot be expelled. This can cause a burning smell.
5.) A Particle or Insect Has Entered the Dryer
A dust particle or a tiny insect may have entered your dryer and come into contact with the heating coil. It is burning and emits a smell.
6.) Your Hair Dryer Has a Defective Part
This can be a manufacturing defect meaning that either the part or the hair dryer will need to be replaced.
Once It Smells Like Burning, Can It Be Fixed?
Yes, you’ll need to clean your hair dryer’s air intake space. The ideal tool is an old toothbrush or small brush. Use the brush to remove as much dirt, lint, hair, and whatever else may have attached itself to your dryer by gently scraping the outer shell. This alone will most likely not be sufficient to eliminate the smell entirely.
You will need to open your hair dryer by removing the screws that hold the hard outer shell in place. Remove any hair or debris that you found lodged within.
Take special care to examine the heating coil and remove anything wrapped around it or lodged within. Once you have finished, replace the hard outer shell and screw it securely back into place.
Can I Prevent This from Happening?
The same technique you used to remove hair and debris from your hairdryer should be used to clean your dryer periodically. This will prevent the conditions that cause a hair dryer to smell as if it is burning inside.
By maintaining the inside of the dryer clean and free of lint and dust particles, you will extend the life of the hair dryer’s motor.
A dirty air filter or lint trap will disrupt the airflow and cause your dryer to overheat. The dirt of any kind that comes into contact with exceptionally high temperatures will burn and smell as a result.
Burning particles may even cause smoke. If burning is the cause, the smell should disappear quickly.
See also: How to Get the Colour Oops Smell Out?
What If My Hair Dryer Overheats?
To prevent overheating, make sure that airflow is not obstructed. You may also want to make use of a cold air button if there is one to allow the dryer to rest.
This will be particularly important if you are using your hair dryer for more than twenty minutes at a time. This will aid in cooling internal components.
If you do notice that your hair dryer has overheated, shut it off and unplug it. Allow the hair dryer to cool for at least ten to fifteen minutes before using it again. If the smell persists, a dirty filter or a faulty component inside the dryer merit consideration as the cause.
Check the Outside
Occasionally, a component on the outside of the hair dryer may be the culprit when a burning smell develops. Perhaps the electrical power cord is melting. ‘
In this case, your dryer probably has a faulty ventilation system or a problem with the internal temperature control due to defective insulation.
If an outer component is compromised, it is best that you substitute your hair dryer with a new one. These types of problems left unattended can result in a short circuit which can lead to electrical shock or fire.
Never use hair dryers that have damaged or melted electrical cords or damaged or melted external plastic.
If a burning smell persists and does not disappear after cleaning, your hair dryer most likely has a faulty component inside.
If the hair dryer is still covered by a warranty, contact the manufacturer’s customer service department to get it replaced or repaired. If the hair dryer is considerably older, it is worth it for you to purchase a new hair dryer.
