How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Electric Dryer That Won't Heat & Needs a New Element

Replacing the heating element in your Whirlpool dryer will give it back its heat.

A Whirlpool electric dryer that won't heat is utterly useless. The combination of heat and a spin cycle is what allows the moisture to evaporate off of the clothing in the dryer drum. When the heat isn't working, the clothing will simply spin around without getting dry. Replacing the heating element in your Whirlpool dryer is not a very hard task. You can do it easily with a trip to your local appliance store and a few tools that are probably already around your home.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• New heating element

Instructions

1. Disconnect the dryer's power cord from the power outlet in your house. Pull the Whirlpool dryer out from the wall so you have access to the back of the unit.

2. Use a pair of pliers to unclamp the small clamp around the Whirlpool dryer's vent hose. Pull the vent hose off of the dryer's vent. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the back panel onto the Whirlpool dryer. The amount of screws will vary depending on your dryer's model.

3. Look to the right side of the Whirlpool dryer's cabinet to find the heating element housing. The heating element housing will be a large metal cabinet with a small screw on the bottom and wires coming out of the bottom.

4. Remove the screw and pull the heating element out of the housing. Use your pair of pliers to remove the wire nuts from the heating element.

5. Take the heating element to your local appliance or hardware store and ask for assistance when buying a new heating element. Match the correct voltage with your new heating element.

6. Connect the wire nuts to the correct plugs on your new heating element. Reference the instruction manual on your new heating element to match the wires up properly.

7. Replace the back panel to the Whirlpool dryer and put the screws back in to secure it to the unit cabinet. Replace the exhaust hose to the exhaust vent. Plug your dryer back into the electrical outlet in your laundry room.

8. Turn the dryer on and wait a couple or seconds for it to heat up. Open the door to the dryer and make sure the drum is getting hot. Push the dryer back up against the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Unplug your dryer from the wall to avoid electrical shock.

• Always match up the voltage of your new heating element with your old heating element.

References

• Appliance Aid: Replacing A Heating Element