How Do You Fix a Heating Element in a Dryer?

A dryer won’t be able to produce heat if its heating element is broken, meaning it can‘t dry your clothes, rendering your dryer pretty much useless. Therefore, it’s a problem that must be fixed. And in this article, we’ll show you how.

Thankfully, broken heating elements are replaceable and, in some instances, repairable. You don’t normally need to replace the dryer entirely just because its heating element went bad.

This article will provide an in-depth step-by-step guide on how to fix or replace a heating element. These tips work for different dryer brands and models, so let’s get started.

1. Unplug the dryer and disconnect the vent

The first essential step when attempting any repairs is to unplug the dryer to prevent the risk of electrocution.

If you have a vented dryer, you may also need to pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the vent. However, this depends on whether you need to remove the back panel to access the heating element, which varies across different models and brands of dryers.

2. Remove the necessary panels to access the heating element

If you have a Whirlpool dryer, you’ll most likely just need to remove the back panel to access the heating element:

1. Disconnect the vent.
2. Use a 1/4-inch wrench or a screwdriver to remove the screws securing the back panel.

For Samsung dryers, you most commonly need to remove the top panel and front panel:

1. Remove the screws at the back of the top panel, then slide the panel back and lift it off. Alternatively, for some models, you can simply pop the top panel up from the front using a putty knife to pry it open without needing to remove any screws from the back.
2. Open the dryer door and remove the screws beneath it that secure the front panel. Then, remove the screws along the top edge of the front panel. Gently pull the top of the front panel away from the dryer and disconnect the wire for the door switch when it becomes visible. You can now remove the front panel entirely.

For some models of Samsung and Whirlpool dryers, as well as other dryer brands, you may need to remove the side panels, the control panel, or the bulkhead to access the heating element.

Check the user manual or search your model number online for resources to help you determine which panels need to be removed.

3. Locate and test the heating element

The heating element can typically be found on the bottom right side at the back of Whirlpool dryers. It’s a silver rectangular metal box. Here’s how to test it:

1. Take a photo of how the wires are connected to the heating element and thermostat attached to the side of the heating element casing.
2. Disconnect the wires connected to the heating element and thermostat.
3. Use a multimeter set to ohms to test the heating element for continuity by pressing the probes against the two terminals.
4. If the multimeter beeps or the reading is 0 ohms or near zero, it has continuity. If the multimeter doesn’t beep or the reading is “OL”, it doesn’t have continuity and needs replacing.
5. Test the thermostat for continuity by pressing the probes against its two terminals.
6. If the reading is zero or near zero or you hear beeping, it’s good. If it’s “OL” or doesn’t beep, the thermostat needs replacing.

For Samsung dryers, the heating element is typically located in the bottom right corner behind the front panel. Here’s how to test it:

1. Remove the single screw securing the heating element to the bracket as well as the two screws on the base that secure the bracket.
2. Lift the heating element slightly with one hand and use the other hand to pull out the bracket.
3. Carefully pull the heating element out as far as the wires allow.
4. Take a photo of how the wires are connected to the heating element, the thermostat, and thermal fuse on the heating element.
5. Disconnect the wires connected to the heating element, thermostat, and thermal fuse.
6. Use a multimeter to test the heating element, thermostat, and thermal fuse for continuity using the method described above for Whirlpool dryers.

For other dryer brands, the heating element may be located in different places and may require different steps to access and test.

Replace any thermostats or thermal fuses that don’t have continuity. If the heating element has continuity, it likely doesn’t need replacing. Replacing faulty thermostats or fuses may fix the problem. Additionally, check the connections to ensure they aren’t loose or corroded; cleaning or replacing them if necessary may also resolve the issue.

4. Replace the heating element

At this point, you have access to the heating element and have already disconnected the wires attached to it. If the heating element doesn’t have continuity, it’s time to replace it. For most Whirlpool models, you can follow these steps:

1. Remove the screws around the edge of the heating element’s casing securing it in place.
2. Pull the element downwards and away to remove it.
3. Install the new heating element, secure it with screws, and connect the wires to both the heating element and the thermostat.

For most Samsung dryers, you can follow these steps:

1. Remove one screw at the bottom of the thermostat and one at the bottom of the thermal fuse.
2. Remove the seven or so screws around the edge of the heating element housing holding it together.
3. Use needle-nose pliers to bend the locking tab straight on the heating element terminals. Push the terminals through the ceramic block.
4. Use needle-nose pliers to bend the locking tab straight on the heating element housing.
5. Separate the two halves of the heating element housing.
6. Remove the old heating element from inside the housing.
7. Clean the heating element casing/housing if it’s dirty before installing the new heating element.
8. Place the new heating element inside the housing, making sure its holes align with the screw holes on the housing. Also, push its two terminals through the slots in the ceramic block.
9. Reassemble the two halves of the housing with the new heating element inside.
10. Secure the housing using the screws around the edge, and use needle-nose pliers to lock the tabs on the housing and the heating element terminals.
11. Reconnect the wires to the heating element, thermostat, and thermal fuse.
12. Place the heating element and its supporting bracket back inside the dryer, securing them in the correct position with the three screws.

5. Reassemble the dryer

You have now successfully replaced the heating element and any faulty thermostats or thermal fuses.

All that’s left to do is reassemble the dryer by reattaching all the panels you removed in reverse order. Then, reattach the vent if necessary and plug the dryer back into the wall outlet. Test the dryer to ensure it’s now heating properly.