Signs of a Clogged Dryer Vent

Clogged dryer vents cause ~2,900 house fires per year in the US, per the NFPA — and every one of them was preventable. If any of these five signs sound familiar, your vent needs attention.

The five signs

• Clothes take two cycles to dry — the biggest single indicator. A working vent dries a normal load in one cycle.
• Dryer top is hot to the touch after a cycle — heat that should have exhausted is trapped inside.
• Burning or "hot lint" smell — stop using the dryer immediately. This is the pre-fire warning.
• Excessive lint on the outside vent hood or lint blowing out the wall vent.
• Dryer shuts off mid-cycle — modern dryers have thermal fuses that trip when exhaust gets too hot.

How often to clean

Most Central Kansas homes need vent cleaning every 12–18 months. Homes with 20+ ft vent runs, pets, or families of 4+ often need it annually. See how often to clean a dryer vent for the full schedule.

Key takeaway. A dryer that takes two cycles is the #1 sign. Don't ignore a burning smell — that's a pre-fire warning.

Need a hand from a real Central Kansas technician? Call (785) 822-7550 and a Comfort Heating & Air tech will walk you through it — or request service online and we'll follow up the same business day.