Samsung Dishwasher Burning Smell — Causes & Fix
Most likely the wash or drain motor is overheating because it is fighting a clog, so clear the filter and sump first. A melting-plastic smell instead means an item has fallen onto the tub-bottom heating element, and a sharp electrical odor means the DW80 control board may be damaged — stop the cycle for that one.
A burning smell from a Samsung [dishwasher](/blog/repair-or-replace-dishwasher) tells you which system is in trouble by when it appears and what it smells like. A hot-motor or rubbery odor during the wash points at the circulation or drain motor working too hard; a melting-plastic smell after the wash points at the heating element; a sharp, electrical odor points at the control board. Samsung separates the Digital Inverter wash motor from the drain pump, so isolating the phase when the smell shows up is the fastest way in.
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Water pressure gauge ($60), spray arm tester, float switch multimeter ($85), and drain inspection camera. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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Most Likely Causes, Ranked#
| Cause | What you'll notice | How likely |
|---|---|---|
| Motor straining against a clog | Hot/rubbery smell during wash or drain | Most common |
| Item melted on the heating element | Plastic smell, often after the wash | Common |
| Control-board electrical fault | Sharp electrical odor, erratic behavior | Less common |
| New-unit break-in odor | Faint smell on the first few uses | Least common |
A motor fighting a clog#
Samsung uses a Digital Inverter Motor for wash circulation and a separate drain pump (part DD31-00005A) for draining. When debris blocks the filter, sump, or impeller, either motor draws more current and heats up, giving off a hot electrical or rubbery odor while it runs. Because Samsung's fine-and-coarse mesh filter captures more debris than a self-cleaning macerator, it needs regular owner cleaning — a neglected filter is the leading reason a motor overheats. Clear the filter and check the sump for a jam before anything else.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Live 120V wiring in a wet environment is one of the most dangerous DIY scenarios. Water + electricity = serious shock risk. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
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Plastic on the heating element#
Samsung dishwashers heat water and assist drying with an element at the bottom of the tub. If a plastic lid, utensil, or piece of packaging slips through the rack and lands on that element, it melts and produces an unmistakable burning-plastic smell, usually noticed toward the end of a cycle when the element is hottest. Let the tub cool, then inspect the element and peel away any melted residue; running the unit with plastic on the element can smoke and should be avoided.
An electrical control-board fault#
Samsung's DW80 control boards are more sensitive to power surges than some competing designs, and a surge can scorch a component and release a sharp, acrid electrical smell along with erratic behavior — random lights, cycles that will not start, or error codes such as 5E, 1E, or 3E. This is the smell to respect: shut the dishwasher off at the breaker and do not keep cycling it. On Wi-Fi models the SmartThings self-diagnosis can also flag a fault code, though the physical inspection is what confirms a burned board.
The Real Cost of DIY
Average DIY attempt: $150-400 in tools you may use once, plus the risk of further damage. Our diagnostic visit costs $0 — we find the problem and give you an honest quote.
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How to check it yourself#
- Note when the smell appears — during wash, during drain, or after.
- If it smells electrical, cut power at the breaker and stop using the unit.
- Clean the filter and clear the sump to relieve a straining motor.
- Cool the tub, then inspect the heating element for melted plastic.
- Check for stored error codes on the panel or in SmartThings.
DIY or call a pro?#
Cleaning the filter, clearing a jam, and removing plastic from the element are safe owner tasks that resolve most burning-smell complaints. A suspected board fault, a motor that overheats even with a clean filter, or any persistent electrical odor is a repair — those involve the machine's wiring and are best handled by a technician. If the smell is electrical or returns after cleaning, book a diagnostic and we will confirm whether it is the motor, the element, or the board before ordering parts.
Senior Appliance Repair Technician · 15 years experience
EPA-certified technician with 15 years of experience specializing in refrigerator and cooling system repairs.
