Can I Repair A Bad Drier Heating Element?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Fortunately, replacing a heating element isn't a terribly difficult job. You can usually find a replacement heating element

at a local hardware store or online by searching for your dryer model number

. Once you have the part, unplug the dryer, remove the back panel, remove the connections and install the new one.

Can heating element be repaired?

Heating elements can break and burn out, sag, and become misshapen.

Most elements cannot be repaired, but they usually can be replaced

. If you can't remove the heating element to replace it, you'll probably need to replace the entire appliance.

Is it worth fixing a heating element in a dryer?

If your dryer's heating element burns out more than once within a year or two, the thermal fuse, which is supposed to protect it, is probably defective, so it's a good idea to replace it. The temperature in the heating chamber may also be too high, and that may be caused by poor venting.

Can you splice a heating element?


Heating elements should never be soldered

, as solder melts at around 180 to 190 degrees C, depending on the alloy; this is much too low for heating elements. The manufacturer probably spot welded or crimped the connection (or both).

What causes a dryer element to burn out?

A dryer's heating element operates on the same principle as the coil in an electric . It consists of an uninsulated metal conductor and when an electric current passes through it, its resistance to the flow of electricity makes it heat up.

If the coil gets too hot

, it burns out.

Why is my dryer not getting hot?

Common reasons for an electric or gas dryer not heating are a

tripped circuit breaker, clogged vent, and no gas flow

. Other potential reasons include a faulty thermal fuse and broken heating element.

How can you tell if the heating element in a dryer is bad?

Inspect the metal wire coil for any breaks in the wire. If the wire is solid and has no breaks in it, the heating element should be good.

If the wire has a break in it, the heating element is defective

.

How do I know if my dryer fuse is blown?

  1. Unplug your dryer and ensure it is no longer connected to the gas or electric.
  2. Locate the thermal fuse, as above.
  3. Disconnect the thermal fuse from the wires.
  4. Test the fuse with a multimeter.
  5. If the needle on your multimeter does not move, your thermal fuse is blow.

Is it worth repairing a 10 year old dryer?

It's recommended as a rule of thumb that

if your dryer is close to 10 years old, you're better off replacing it outright

, especially if the quote for repairs comes in high.

Can a heating element partially fail?


No but it could short to ground (its housing) allowing only part of the coil to heat and with only 120 volts instead of the full 240 it should

. In such a case it would not usually glow bright red as a properly functioning element would though.

How do you fix a broken heating element?

How do you rewire a heating element?

Are dryer heating elements Universal?

Find the heating element on your dryer. Depending on the model of dryer, the heating element is located either behind the dryer drum inside the dryer cabinet, or behind a panel on the back of the dryer.

No one manufacturer makes all their dryers the same

.

How long should dryer heating element last?

The heating element can last

between 8 and 18 years

if the dryer is well-maintained and the vent and lint traps are clean. The heating element can burn out if the dryer is not kept well-maintained.

Why does my heating element keep burning out?

Pockets of Air


If air pockets develop in the tank, often due to a failure to bleed out the tank completely before filling it up

, the element may be burning itself out without enough water. As a result, the heating element could be failing faster and more frequently than it should.

How long does a dryer heating element stay on?

Yes, the Heating element stays on for

2 minutes

, goes off (stops glowing) and does not come on again.

Where's the thermal fuse on a dryer?

How do you reset the thermal fuse on a dryer?

How do you fix a dryer that is not drying?

  1. Check the lint filter. …
  2. Inspect where the dryer vent exits the house. …
  3. Clean the inner reaches of the vent. …
  4. If possible, shorten the exit. …
  5. Tape all joints in the dryer vent. …
  6. Call a professional to check the power source.

Should a dryer heating element glow red?


Occasionally, a red glow may be seen inside the dryer drum. This is normal

. The glow is from the heating element and is most noticeable if the cycle has been interrupted to remove or add an article of clothing. During the drying cycle, the element heats and glows.

How do you tell if a thermal fuse is blown without a multimeter?

If you do not have a multimeter, you can also test whether or not the fuse is working by

bypassing the fuse itself

. Simply detach the wires from the fuse, wire them together using a jumper wire and attempt to operate the dryer.

Will my dryer start if thermal fuse is blown?


A blown thermal fuse often prevents an electric dryer from starting

. You'll find the thermal fuse on the blower housing. Unplug the dryer and check the thermal fuse for continuity. Replace the thermal fuse if the multimeter measures no continuity.

Will a dryer still turn on if the thermal fuse is blown?

Will the dryer run if the thermal fuse is blown? Unlike a thermostat that can reset itself, once a dryer thermal fuse blows,

it will need to be replaced with a new one before the dryer will run

.

Will a dryer run with a blown thermal fuse?


Many dryers simply will not run once a thermal fuse triggers

. On other models, the drum continues to turn and the dryer operates, but the heating element does not. Clothes come out of the dryer wet once the appliance completes its drying cycle.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.