Dryer Failed Heating Element
Dryer tumbles normally but blows cold air on every cycle, even after the vent and lint trap are clean and the thermal fuse tests good
85% chance this is caused by:
Open circuit in the heating element coil — the nichrome wire has burned through or shorted to the housing
Dryer failed heating element is a medium-difficulty repair. The most likely cause is open circuit in the heating element coil — the nichrome wire has burned through or shorted to the housing, and replacing the failed part takes approximately 45-60 minutes. The part costs about $60 — compared to $500-1,100 for a full replacement.
Fix it this weekend. Most parts ship same-day online.
A service call costs $150-300. This repair takes about 45-60 minutes and the part runs $60. Order the part tonight, fix it Saturday morning.
✓ Good call investigating this. Most homeowners wait until the problem gets worse — which typically means a higher repair bill. This is a medium-rated repair — 65% of homeowners with basic tools complete it successfully. A $60 part saves you a $150–300 service call.
The exact part you need is listed below — order it now and fix it this weekend.
Safety Warning
Dryers operate on 240V. Always disconnect at the breaker, not just the plug. Lint is extremely flammable — clean the lint trap and vent before any internal repair. Never run the dryer with the cabinet open.
🔧 The Exact Part You Need
Total parts cost: $60. Same-day shipping available on most items.
What happens if you don't fix this
A $60 part now can prevent a much bigger problem later. Left unfixed, this issue can cascade into a $500-1,100 replacement — that's 8× the cost of the part. The repair gets more expensive the longer you wait.
Find the Right Part for Your Dryer
Parts vary by model. Search with your model number for the best match.
Tip: Add your model number (e.g. "GE GSS25GSH") for more precise results.
🔥 Parts for Dryers move fast online — especially common failure parts like these.
🔨 Tools You'll Need
Repair Summary
| Appliance | Dryer |
| Problem | Failed Heating Element |
| Diagnosis Confidence | 85% |
| Most Likely Cause | Open circuit in the heating element coil — the nichrome wire has burned through or shorted to the housing |
| Difficulty | medium |
| Estimated Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Parts Cost | $60 |
| Replacement Cost | $500-1,100 |
Rather hire it out? Know the fair price first.
A pro dryer repair adds a $100–200 service call on top of the part. See real what dryer repair costs — parts, labor, and contractor markup — before you call anyone.
📋 Step-by-Step Instructions
Unplug the dryer and shut off the breaker — the element runs on 240V and the cabinet contains unprotected terminals. Gas dryers: shut the gas valve as well.
Test before you buy: pull both wire leads off the element terminals (photograph the wiring first) and measure resistance across the terminals with a multimeter. A good element reads roughly 8-30 ohms; an open reading (OL/infinity) confirms a burned-out coil.
Also test the thermal fuse and cycling thermostat in the same circuit — they fail as often as the element and cost under $15. Any of the three reading open means replacement. If a fuse is blown, clean the vent before installing any new part: the fuse blew protecting you from the real fault.
Access the element: on most Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore dryers it sits in a housing at the rear or side of the cabinet behind a removable panel; on Samsung/LG models it is behind the rear drum area. Remove the rear or front access panel screws to expose it.
Release the housing screws and slide the element assembly out of its duct housing. Note the wire routing and the housing gasket orientation as you go — the new element must re-seat into the same duct opening or heat will leak into the cabinet.
Swap the element into its housing, transfer the thermostats to the new assembly if your kit requires it (many elements come as a bare coil — you move the high-limit and cycling thermostat screws-for-screw), and reconnect the leads firmly. Terminals must be tight; a loose spade connector arcs and dies early.
Reassemble the access panel, restore power, and run an empty cycle on high heat. Within 3-5 minutes the exhaust air at the outside vent hood should be clearly warm.
Confirm full performance with a medium wet load: one normal cycle should produce dry clothes and the dryer should shut off at the selected dryness level, not run cold.
If the new element dies again within weeks, stop replacing parts: a repeatedly shorted element points to a clogged vent (overheating), a stuck cycling thermostat (constant heat), or a faulty control board feeding voltage continuously. Fix the upstream cause, not the symptom.
Safety note: never run the dryer with the element housing open or bypassed, and never install a higher-wattage element than the model specifies — both are fire risks. Replace the housing gasket whenever it is torn.
Don't put this off.
A Dryer that's failing can cause water damage, electrical issues, or food spoilage — each costing 10x what the replacement part costs. The fix is straightforward. The part is cheap. The risk of waiting isn't.
🔍 Why This Happens
Root cause analysis for your dryer's failed heating element
The heating element (with mounting hardware) in your dryer degrades through repeated high-temperature cycles that stress the material. Each heating cycle causes thermal expansion and contraction — over time, the element fatigues and develops micro-fractures or the thermal safety device trips permanently. This is one of the most common failure modes for this appliance type, especially in units over 5 years old.
85%
Diagnostic match rate
Moderate
DIY success rate
45-60 minutes
Typical repair time
🛡️ Prevention Tips
How to prevent your dryer's failed heating element from happening again after this repair.
Clean the lint screen before every single load. A clogged lint screen reduces airflow, makes the dryer work harder, and is a fire hazard.
Have the dryer vent duct cleaned or inspected annually. Lint accumulates inside the duct over time, restricting airflow and overheating components.
Don't overload the dryer. Heavy loads strain the drive belt, drum rollers, and motor — leading to premature mechanical failure.
Avoid running the dryer on the hottest setting unless necessary. High heat accelerates thermal fuse degradation and stresses the heating element.
If you're replacing a thermal component, consider replacing related safety devices at the same time. The heating element (with mounting hardware) likely stressed surrounding parts.
Other Dryer Problems
Not Heating
professional-only · 20-30 minutes
Drum Not Turning
medium · 30-45 minutes
Taking Too Long to Dry
easy · 20-30 minutes
Squeaking or Squealing
medium · 45-60 minutes
Worn or Broken Drive Belt
medium · 45-60 minutes
Clogged Vent or Vent Hose
easy · 60-90 minutes
Faulty Door Latch or Switch
easy · 20-30 minutes
Common Questions About This Repair
How much does it cost to fix a dryer that's failed heating element?
How long does this dryer repair take?
What if this isn't the problem?
Should I just replace my dryer instead?
🔧 Repair Data Sources
Repair guides are compiled from:
- • Manufacturer service manuals and technical bulletins
- • Common failure pattern data from appliance repair technicians
- • OEM parts databases for exact replacement compatibility
Difficulty ratings are based on the average homeowner's skill level, not professional standards. Confidence percentages reflect the likelihood that the listed cause matches the observed symptom. Updated November 2026.
Disclaimer: This repair guide is for informational purposes only and is based on manufacturer service manuals and published repair data. TheFixGuide is not responsible for any damage, injury, or loss resulting from attempted repairs. If a repair involves gas, high voltage, stored energy (capacitors), or refrigerant, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed professional.
🔨 Need tools? Get parts online
Get Parts →Dex A. Varland
Master Appliance Technician · 15+ Years Experience
Dex A. Varland is a master appliance technician with 15+ years of hands-on experience across all major brands. He has diagnosed and repaired thousands of household appliances and contributes to TheFixGuide to help homeowners tackle repairs with confidence.
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