My Doorbell Is Not Working and It Smells Weird

Chime

• The chime device in your doorbell can stop functioning. When accompanied by a burnt smell, this almost always means that the soundbox has burned out, possibly due to an overload or maybe failed wiring. The heat created by electrical resistance and burnt-out circuitry creates the smell, and the soundbox will need to be replaced so you can hear the doorbell working.

Transformer

• Your wired doorbell also has a transformer that takes AC current from the house and modulates it so the doorbell system can use the current without any danger of damage. You can use a voltmeter to test a transformer and check that the secondary voltage it emits is correct. If not, the transformer may be malfunctioning. If circuitry has burned out, this can cause a similar burnt smell.

Other Issues

• Sometimes doorbell issues are caused not by electrical problems but by simple mechanical failure. Your doorbell button may have gotten stuck so it won't activate correctly. If you have a wireless doorbell, something may be jamming the doorbell signals. These problems are less likely to cause odors yet are still common doorbell problems. Take time to investigate them as well.

Smells

• If the problem with your doorbell is not related to wiring, you're likely worried about that strange smell. Doorbell soundboxes can collect musty smelling dust that may not be noticeable until you get out a ladder and climb up to check for a problem. On the other hand, look for signs of mold or mildew to see whether the smell is hinting at a more serious moisture problem.