How to Repair Baffles in a Dryer

Pull the dryer plug from the wall outlet or turn off the breaker supplying electricity to your dryer.

Remove the dryer lint filter from the top of the dryer cabinet to access the two screws in the lint filter opening. Remove the two screws holding the dryer cabinet top to the lint duct. Skip this step if your dryer’s lint filter is located in the door opening.

Insert a 1 1/2-inch metal putty knife into the seam between the top of the cabinet and the cabinet base. Slide the putty knife right or left to locate the two clips holding the top of the dryer to the cabinet base. One clip is located at the left front of the cabinet and the remaining clip is located at the right front.

Position the front edge of the putty knife over the front of the clip. Push the putty knife into the seam to release the clip. Repeat for the remaining clip on the opposite side of the dryer. Raise the top of the dryer cabinet, leaning it against the wall behind the dryer to keep the cabinet open.

Open the dryer door. Rotate the dryer drum by hand until the broken or loose baffle is located at the top of the dryer drum. This exposes the three screws holding the baffle to the dryer drum.

Tighten the three screws if you just need to fix a loose baffle. Remove the three screws to take a broken baffle from the dryer.

Insert the new baffle into the dryer drum. Line the screw holes in the dryer drum up with the screw holes in the new baffle. Insert the screws through the drum and into the replacement baffle. Tighten the screws to hold the baffle to the dryer drum.

Lower the top of the dryer cabinet. Place pressure on the cabinet top over the clips to snap the top onto the clips. Replace the screws in the lint opening on top of the cabinet if your dryer has a top lint opening. Reconnect your dryer to the electricity.