Kenmore 796.91022900 Dryer Repair

The Kenmore Elite 796.91022900 is a gas dryer sold from November 2009 until August 2010, now no longer sold new. After this many years, mechanical wear is as common a reason for a call as anything involving gas. Rollers, belts, glides and the motor have simply turned a great many loads.

Mechanical symptoms

• A rhythmic thump with each drum turn.
• A squeal that starts when the dryer starts.
• A drum that does not turn while you hear the motor.
• A dryer that hums and then stops without starting.

Thumping usually points to support parts under the drum. A squeal at startup often comes from a pulley or idler. A motor hum with no turning suggests a broken belt or a motor that cannot start. These are separate from the heating system, so a dryer can have a mechanical fault and still heat perfectly well, or the reverse.

The start button does nothing

If pressing start produces no sound, begin with the outside: plug, breaker and a firmly closed door. The dryer will not run if it thinks the door is open. A worn latch, a bent strike or a switch that no longer registers can all cause this. A technician tests the switch and wiring without guessing, and without bypassing it.

Heat on a gas dryer

If the drum turns but the air is cold, the burner sequence is next. The same rule applies as for any gas appliance: if you smell gas, leave without touching switches and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. If you do not smell gas, simply stop using the dryer and book a visit.

Placement in the home

Many of these dryers stand in a garage or a utility room, sometimes stacked above or beside a washer. Check that the front is free for the service visit, and that nothing is stored against the sides. Tight closets can limit how far a dryer can be pulled out, so tell us in advance.

Moving ahead

We read the model number off the label, diagnose, and send you a written estimate. Nothing is repaired until you agree. More reading is on the Kenmore dryer repair page and in the Kenmore dryers guide. Other Kenmore Elite gas dryers from the same period are the Kenmore 796.90512900 and the Kenmore 796.90518900. For a drum that will not turn, see Kenmore dryer not tumbling.

Frequently asked questions