Appliances · moderate safety risk
Check the dryer’s exterior vent
Confirm the exterior covering opens and airflow is not visibly restricted while the dryer operates.
- How often
- Monthly
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Editorial status
- Awaiting human review
Before you begin
How to do it
- Clean the lint screen and start the dryer on an ordinary cycle with no unusual materials inside.
- From a safe ground-level position, observe whether the exterior vent covering opens.
- Look for visible lint accumulation, a damaged cover, or weak airflow without touching moving parts.
- Stop the dryer and arrange cleaning or repair when airflow is poor or the cover is damaged.
Stop and get help when
- Burning smell
- Scorched lint
- Exterior flap stays closed
- Dryer or laundry unusually hot
Stop using the dryer for burning odors, overheating, or severely restricted airflow. Have the full vent system inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional when it is inaccessible or performance is poor.
Sources and review
Written by Upkeeping editorial team. This draft is awaiting human subject-matter and safety review and is not eligible for search indexing.