My Maytag Dryer Won't Heat

The heating element is responsible for heating the clothes in the dryer's drum.

Maytag is a brand with a long history. If your Maytag dryer no longer heats, you can bet that the heating element has gone bad. Heating elements are a system of coils inside the dryer that provide the heat to dry the clothing inside the dryer’s drum. When the heating element goes bad, you will need to replace it in order get your dryer back up and running smoothly. You can do this with tools found around your house.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• New heating element

Instructions

1. Remove the power cable from the wall outlet in your laundry room. Pull the dryer out from the wall so you have access to the exhaust hose connected to the back of the dryer. Unhook the clamp on the exhaust hose and remove the exhaust hose from the exhaust vent on the back of the dryer.

2. Pull the dryer away from the wall so you have room to work on the back panel. Use a screwdriver to remove all of the screws holding the back panel onto the dryer’s casing. There will be screws on the top right, left and center of the back panel.

3. The heating element cabinet will be on the right-hand side of your Maytag dryer. This will be a tube-like metal object. Go to the bottom of the heating element cabinet and locate a small screw. Remove this screw and pull the heating element out of the heating element cabinet.

4. Disconnect the two wires connected to the heating element on the bottom left side. They should just slide off the contacts. Connect the wires to the new heating element and slide the heating element back into place inside the heating element cabinet. Replace the heating element screw so the heating element is securely in place.

5. Replace the back panel of your Maytag dryer and replace the screws that hold the back panel onto the casing. Replace the exhaust hose to the exhaust vent on the back of the dryer, holding it in place with the exhaust hose clamp. Plug your dryer into the electrical outlet and test it out.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not work on your dryer while it is plugged into the power outlet.

References

• Part Select: How to Replace a Heating Element