Kenmore 26-69162 Dryer Repair

The Kenmore 26-69162 is an electric dryer in white with a 7.0 cu. ft. drum, and it is part of the current Kenmore lineup. Because it is electric, it needs no gas line, which makes it a common fit for rental buildings and older flats where gas is only run to the kitchen. What it does need is a clear exhaust path to the outside, and that is where a surprising share of our calls begin.

When it stops drying well

Clothes that come out damp after a full cycle, or a dryer that needs two rounds, usually point to restricted airflow before they point to a failed part. Lint builds up in the screen housing, in the duct behind the dryer and in the hood flap outside. In a multi-story San Francisco building, the duct run can be long with several bends, so lint settles easily. A technician checks airflow first, then looks at the heating element, thermal parts and the control that feeds them.

No heat at all

If the drum turns but the air stays cool, the heating circuit is the focus: element, thermal protectors, a switch or the control. Because this is an electric dryer, it uses a dedicated high-power circuit, and one side of that supply can be lost while lights and the drum still behave normally. That is a job for a technician, not a test you should attempt.

Drum or noise trouble

A drum that will not turn may be a belt, motor or door-switch issue. Thumping on each turn often means worn support parts, and squealing is usually a roller or pulley problem.

What you can check yourself

• Clean the lint screen and wipe it with a damp cloth if it has a film.
• Confirm the plug is fully in and the breaker, which is often a double breaker, has not tripped.
• Look outside for the vent hood and make sure the flap opens freely.
• Pull the dryer away from the wall only if you can do so without straining the duct, and look for a crushed or sagging section.
• Do not open the cabinet.

A hot smell, burning odor or visible sparks means switch off the breaker and stop using it.

Visit and next steps

Please have the full model number ready from the label inside the door opening. We diagnose first, give you a written estimate and wait for your approval. Read more on our Kenmore dryer repair page and in the Kenmore dryers guide. For slow cycles, Kenmore dryer takes too long goes deeper, and the compact sibling is the Kenmore 26-81202.

Frequently asked questions