Dangerous and potential flaw in the Samsung 5.3 cu ft Bespoke AI Ventless All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo

[beckyjo191]

After receiving a canned response to my original review, I’m bringing this issue here because this is not just a performance problem — it’s a serious safety and design failure, and it needs to be addressed immediately.

The Samsung 5.3 cu ft Bespoke AI Ventless All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo has a critical design flaw.
I purchased this unit on 06/26/2024, and it was installed on 07/03/2024. For the first several months, it worked great. It kept up with the laundry demands of a family of six, and the combo design was incredibly convenient.

Then the drying performance started dropping off. I followed every maintenance step in the manual - cleaning the heat exchanger, clearing the trap, checking the lower filter. I even had a technician come out, and while he found no immediate fault, he did suggest frequent deep cleanings of the lint trap area.

None of it fixed the problem. I was left running loads two and three times just to get dry clothing - wasting energy, time, and money on a machine that cost nearly $2,000. The unit constantly clogged, even with consistent maintenance.

Eventually, after getting no useful support from Samsung, I researched the issue myself. I found a video showing how to remove the top of the unit to access the internal lint channel - the passage that’s supposed to carry lint up to the trap.

What I found was unacceptable: that entire passage was almost completely blocked with lint. There was barely enough space for airflow. And none of this is accessible through regular cleaning or mentioned in the user manual.

This is not just poor design - it’s a known failure point that will impact every owner of this machine over time. If I hadn’t taken the unit apart myself, I’d still be wondering why my clothes never dried and why filters kept clogging. Worse, other customers may never realize what’s happening inside their machines until there are serious consequences.

Samsung, you need to issue a service bulletin, a design fix, or at the very least a customer alert explaining this issue. Owners must be informed of the hidden lint accumulation problem and given instructions on how to properly address it.

This should not be on consumers to figure out after the fact - especially when the consequences can impact safety and performance. We deserve better, and you need to step up and take accountability.

[LongHiker]

@beckyjo191 I didn't see where you checked the vent from the laundry room to outside the house. If that is constricted by lint, the lint will build up in the dryer and the dryer performance will suffer. We had a dryer failure once due to lint building in the exit vent through the house. Now, I clean the exit vent yearly. 

[beckyjo191]

Thanks for the input! This is the ventless model. When we did have a vented model I cleaned the exit vent a couple times a year. 

[VibLotusstudio]

The model she refers to has no outside vent 

[BeauDASHian]

I absolutely agree that Samsung needs to address this issue. That much lint built up in such a short time span is insane. Like you had stated, I'm sure Samsung is aware of the design flaw, but doesn't know how to address it.

I am going to ask this though; the method you used to get the top of the unit off to gain access to that internal lint channel, would it somehow void any warranty the machine may have? I'm asking because you said there are no instructions in the manual at all describing how to check or clean that channel. Maybe they just rolled the dice on manufacturing these out and probably going to phase that model out. Do you still have a return policy? Have you looked up reviews on this model? Also, could you attach the video you used to help fix your issue just for curiosity's sake?

[beckyjo191]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SqHVhbwt8

[yusatsu]

So..that heat exchange area where lint collects goes all the way to the back of the unit.  The video is not helpful since it is very difficult to get a brush and vacuum around the curve toward the back.  I wish they would offer an ability to exchange the ventless version for a ducted model.

[Members_Lk4uRwq]

I have been battling this issue but haven't taken the top off yet. Thanks for the post.

[Mat93618]

A few things.

I’ve been battling this issue since month 5 of ownership. They can install a different water jet in the vent which helps a bit but doesn’t fix the problem. Samsung will issue a refund for the unit if you ask for the issue to be escalated to refunds. However, if it’s past a year it is a pro-rated refund. That’s what we did.

They now offer this unit with a standard vent, it is supposed to fix the issue.

[cgilligan]

Thank you for this advice, what does the water jet do? remove the lint from the area where it would (vent) out? Lastly did  you asked Samsung for the refund?  I have only had mine for 4 months and this is my second repair in less than 30 days for this issue.

Thank you