Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Free Shipping on Domestic Orders $75+

How to replace the heater element in your dryer

Introduction

If your dryer no longer produces heat or starts to smell burnt, its heater element may be clogged with lint or completely failed. Replacing or cleaning this element restores proper drying performance and prevents potential fire hazards. Follow this guide to safely remove, inspect, clean, and refit a heater element so your appliance can keep working for years.

What you need

  1. Edit

    • Pull the power cord out of the mains socket before beginning any work.

  2. Edit

    • Locate the red button on the thermal cutoff above the heater.

    • If the button is protruding, press it back in to reset the cutoff.

    • Investigate over-loading, poor airflow, or a weak motor capacitor if the cutoff was tripped.

  3. Edit

    • Remove the dryer panels shown in the previous felt-replacement video to reveal the heater above the blower fan.

    • Identify the four mounting screws and the two thick supply wires on the heater frame.

  4. Edit

    • Pull both thick supply wires straight off the heater terminals.

  5. Edit

    • Undo the four cross-head screws securing the heater to the cabinet.

    • Retrieve dropped screws with a magnet to avoid searching inside the dryer.

  6. Edit

    • Tilt the heater slightly and slide it out of the blower housing.

    • Wiggle the frame gently if it binds in the tight opening.

  7. Edit

    • Vacuum loose lint and dust from the heater frame and surrounding area.

    • Brush away stubborn debris and use a toothpick or cotton swab to clear buildup between coils.

    • Handle the heating coils carefully to avoid bending or breaking them.

  8. Edit

    • Confirm the heater is clean and free of any remaining debris.

    • If the old element is faulty, install the new element in the same orientation.

  9. Edit

    • Hook the heater’s lower edge into the ears on the blower housing and slide it fully into place.

    • Tighten the four mounting screws to secure the frame.

  10. Edit

    • Push both supply wires onto their original heater terminals.

    • Some newer models require routing the cable through the side panel before connection.

  11. Edit

    • Refit all removed panels and confirm the blower fan rotates freely.

    • Tighten every screw and ensure the cabinet is fully closed.

  12. Edit

    • Plug the dryer back in and run a short cycle to verify that it heats and operates normally.

    • A clean, functioning heater should give you many more years of reliable drying.

Conclusion

Your dryer’s heater element is now clean, secure, and ready for duty. Keeping this area free of lint not only improves efficiency but also reduces the risk of overheating and fire. Repeat this maintenance whenever you notice reduced drying performance or odours.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Ula Gantar

Member since: 01/08/25

16,609 Reputation

81 Guides authored

Badges: 8

+5 more badges

0 Guide Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 2

Past 7 Days: 15

Past 30 Days: 43

All Time: 259