A malfunctioning heating element in your dryer can lead to damp clothes, extended drying times, or even no heat at all.
Recognizing the signs of a malfunctioning heating element is crucial for maintaining your dryer’s efficiency and ensuring your laundry gets properly dried.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to diagnose whether the heating element in your dryer is the culprit behind its performance issues.
Your clothes aren’t drying, which is the first obvious sign. It is best to use an electrical test meter to measure the resistance when you isolate the heating element (or with the help of a knowledgeable technician/handyman).
You might find it helpful if you knew the design resistance value – from literature, wiring diagram, or the internet. An element that shows “infinite” resistance is defective.
You may not be able to dry your clothes for other reasons:
- Bad thermostat
- Bad high limit switch
- Bad humidity sensor
Bad Dryer Heating Element Symptoms
Sometimes minor problems prevent clothes dryers from drying properly, but often they last for many years.
You may need to replace the heating element in your dryer if your clothes are still wet or mostly damp after the dryer has completed its cycle. To determine this, troubleshooting a dryer is straightforward.
1. Check for Heat
Observe whether your dryer is generating any heat by running it. Having damp or cold clothes after a full drying cycle might indicate a malfunctioning heating element.
2. Main Wiring Connection
A burned main connection will still allow the dryer to tumble, but it will not be able to heat. The power cord inside the dryer and the terminal block to which the wire is attached should be replaced if this is the problem.
3. Checking the Thermal Fuse
Check the dryer’s backside. An exhaust duct thermal fuse is commonly found on many models. You’ll find it inside the back cover panel. Make sure it is not blown. Changing the fuse is not difficult.
4. Continuity of the Heating Element
Make sure the heating element wire is continuous. Pull out the dryer and remove the back cover to access the element. Check the heating element of the dryer by unplugging it. A metal can contains a long coil of wire.
Use an ohm meter to check it. Replace the heating element if continuity is not present. The heating element of some dryers is hidden behind the front panel.
Check the terminals of the heating element by setting your multimeter to the resistance or continuity setting. It indicates a broken heating element if there is no continuity.
5. Check the Power
Check the electrical source to make sure it has power and is plugged in properly. The outlet is typically 240 volts, and you can test its functionality by using a voltmeter.
You can also check this on the electric service panel. Check that the dryer is heating properly by turning the dryer breaker on and off a few times. The problem can sometimes be solved using this technique.
6. No Air Flow
Ensure that the dryer creates air flow. Heating elements are often fine, but air does not flow through the machine to dry the clothing.
If you know this information before calling a serviceman, he will be able to bring the part with him and avoid an extra service call. Make sure the dryer lint screen is clean before calling a service technician. The dryer cannot heat properly if it is full.
7. Extended Drying Times
If your dryer is taking much longer than usual to dry a load of laundry, it could indicate a problem with the heating element.
While other factors like clogged vents or overloading can also cause extended drying times, a faulty heating element is a common culprit.
8. Inspect for Damage
Sometimes, you can visually inspect the heating element for damage. Turn off and unplug your dryer, then locate the heating element assembly.
Look for any visible signs of wear, such as breaks, cracks, or burnt areas on the heating coils. If you notice any damage, it’s likely the heating element needs to be replaced.
9. Consult the Manual
Your dryer’s manual may have specific troubleshooting steps or diagrams to help you identify and diagnose heating element issues. It’s a good idea to refer to the manual for guidance tailored to your dryer model.
10. Seek Professional Help
If you’re unsure about diagnosing or repairing the heating element yourself, contact a qualified appliance repair technician. They can accurately diagnose the problem and recommend the necessary repairs or replacements.
Final Tips
First, make sure the filters, inlets, outlets, and ducts are clear, the motor is running sound, and the belts are in good shape, in that order. Also, make sure the room is well ventilated.
The Elements
Generally, it is best to access the terminals of the element or wiring to it and test it if a dryer is tumbling and blowing air but not heating the air.
Some dryers have a self-diagnostic system – usually activated by a technician – otherwise, the best way is to access the element terminals.
Besides checking continuity with an ohm or multi-meter (to ensure power is present), other components may also be faulty, such as switches, thermostats, broken belt “sensors” (if fitted), wiring / terminals, door controls, timers or circuit boards.
There are times when faulty elements, etc., may show visible faults externally – sometimes more than one component may be defective.
In spite of the fact that meters are quite economical, not everyone has one, plus be aware that they are very sensitive and may not alert you to a fault unless they are under electrical load.
The low cost of test lamps and test leads is another reason why technicians use them. Additionally, make sure that the power socket + the dryer’s internal wiring / earthing is functional / intact and that none of the dryer’s elements have short circuits (continuity connections) to earth.
Using A Home-Made Test Lead
In essence, it is a wire with a plug on one end and bare wires or push-on terminals on the other – an element that can be tested independently of the dryer circuit with the example shown below.
Warning: Many elements will require a lot of air blowing, so always exercise extreme caution.
There are elements such as self-resetting safety thermostats and non-resetting fusible links that can be used in this system.
Any meter, test lamp, or lead can be interpreted with some electrical knowledge + SAFETY PRECAUTIONS! – Otherwise, do not use it!
Although electricity is very useful, it can kill as well!
