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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
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Home and Garden
Home Appliances
Washing Machines and Dryers
How to Change the Heating Element in a Dryer Download ArticleExplore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Homer Flores
Last Updated: May 2, 2024 References
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Homer Flores. Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area. This article has been viewed 339,933 times.
Looking to change the heating element in your dryer? You've come to the right place! Below, you'll find a step-by-step run-through of the process. Scroll down for more.
Steps
Download Article
1 Unplug the dryer. Make sure there's no power going to your dryer while you're working.[1]X Expert Source Homer FloresAppliance Repair SpecialistExpert Interview
2 Take off dryer exhaust hose and remove the back panel.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Look at the back of the dryer. On the right side, you'll see a long metal (probably gray) housing. The Element is inside.[3]XResearch source
4 Unscrew the black sensor on top, and unscrew the black sensor on the bottom.[4]XResearch source
5 Unhook the two wires just below the bottom sensor. (These two sensors could be your problem (in 50% of the cases, it is). Also, there is a heating fuse to your left, under the larger casing on the left. It is about an inch long, and has two wires attached. This can also be your problem. One screw holds it in. If in doubt, take all these to the appliance store, and they'll test them with a voltmeter.)
Test the heating element with a multimeter by setting it to read continuity. Touch the 2 leads of the heating element with the multimeter. If there isn't any continuity, then you need to replace the element.[5]X Expert Source Homer FloresAppliance Repair SpecialistExpert Interview
6 Gently lift up on the whole gray casing. It should easily come loose. If not, lift a little harder and pull the bottom toward you. There may be a screw and small bracket at the top that needs to be removed. There are some hooks on the bottom that will come loose.
7 Turn it upside down; you'll see one screw holding the element in. Take out the screw, and carefully pull out the element, which is a coil that heats up, on some metal housing. Examine the coil for breaks. If you have a voltmeter, test the element. Also test the Sensors. This will tell you what's broken.
8 Install the new element in the reverse of the above. Replace the element, replace all the sensors and the back panel, as well as the exhaust hose. When done, try it out![6]XResearch source
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Community Q&A
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Question Why won't my dryer turn on after I've replaced the heating element? Community Answer There can be quite a few reasons for this. Electric parts may have gotten damaged; a fuse may need a replacement; the protection switch inside the machine may have been triggered; a wall plug fuse may be off...Google for a manual or call your plumber. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 17
Question I've replaced my heat element coil, but now my fuse keeps blowing. What should I do? Community Answer Check to see if you put the heat element coil in properly and that the wires are connected. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 10
Question Can I do this if it is a gas dryer? Community Answer That is a very dangerous task to do on your own. It would be best to Have a professional appliance repair technician do it for you. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 7
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Unplug the dryer until it's finished. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 20
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References
↑ Homer Flores. Appliance Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
Co-authored by: Homer Flores Appliance Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Homer Flores. Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area. This article has been viewed 339,933 times. 4 votes - 75% Co-authors: 8Updated: May 2, 2024 Views: 339,933 Categories: Washing Machines and Dryers In other languages Italian Russian
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Reader Success Stories
Jack Owen
Oct 12, 2016
"Great instructions. They were accurate and complete. They would have been better if they had explained how to test the elements, i.e. continuity and resistance."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Homer Flores Appliance Repair Specialist 4 votes - 75% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 8Updated: May 2, 2024 Views: 339,933
Jack Owen
Oct 12, 2016
"Great instructions. They were accurate and complete. They would have been better if they had explained how to test the elements, i.e. continuity and resistance."..." more Share yours!
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Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Homer Flores 
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Co-authored by: Homer Flores Appliance Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Homer Flores. Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area. This article has been viewed 339,933 times. 4 votes - 75% Co-authors: 8 Updated: May 2, 2024 Views: 339,933 Categories: Washing Machines and Dryers In other languages Italian Russian 
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462 
1 Unplug the dryer. Make sure there's no power going to your dryer while you're working.[1] 
2 Take off dryer exhaust hose and remove the back panel.[2] Advertisement 
3 Look at the back of the dryer. On the right side, you'll see a long metal (probably gray) housing. The Element is inside.[3] 
4 Unscrew the black sensor on top, and unscrew the black sensor on the bottom.[4] 
5 Unhook the two wires just below the bottom sensor. (These two sensors could be your problem (in 50% of the cases, it is). Also, there is a heating fuse to your left, under the larger casing on the left. It is about an inch long, and has two wires attached. This can also be your problem. One screw holds it in. If in doubt, take all these to the appliance store, and they'll test them with a voltmeter.) 
6 Gently lift up on the whole gray casing. It should easily come loose. If not, lift a little harder and pull the bottom toward you. There may be a screw and small bracket at the top that needs to be removed. There are some hooks on the bottom that will come loose. 
7 Turn it upside down; you'll see one screw holding the element in. Take out the screw, and carefully pull out the element, which is a coil that heats up, on some metal housing. Examine the coil for breaks. If you have a voltmeter, test the element. Also test the Sensors. This will tell you what's broken. 
8 Install the new element in the reverse of the above. Replace the element, replace all the sensors and the back panel, as well as the exhaust hose. When done, try it out![6] Advertisement 
Community Answer There can be quite a few reasons for this. Electric parts may have gotten damaged; a fuse may need a replacement; the protection switch inside the machine may have been triggered; a wall plug fuse may be off...Google for a manual or call your plumber. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 17 
Community Answer Check to see if you put the heat element coil in properly and that the wires are connected. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 10 
Community Answer That is a very dangerous task to do on your own. It would be best to Have a professional appliance repair technician do it for you. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 7 
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