How to Replace Heating Element in Dryer
Home appliances make our life easier and a clothes dryer is one such amazing appliance. It is one of the most used appliances in most homes. A branded dryer can last for several years but often it encounters issues that leave your clothes wet. A broken clothes dryer can be a nuisance and disturb your laundry routine.
So, when your dryer stops working or becomes inefficient, you need to quickly identify the issue to resolve the problem. If the problem is not fixed quickly, your dirty clothes could pile up and soon you won’t be left with clean clothes to wear. Ideally, the best, safest, and fastest way to fix a faulty dryer is by calling an appliance repair Mississauga.
However, some common dryer problems could be fixed on your own. But how can you identify a faulty or malfunctioning dryer?
Common Dryer Problems
Similar to any other appliance, the dryer also has several components that could go bad and the machine starts making trouble. For instance, you put clothes in the dryer and when you come back after the cycle finishes, the clothes feel warm but still wet. Sometimes, clothes aren’t fully dry because you overload the machine. But if this is not the issue, most probably the heating element is the culprit. A faulty heating element is responsible for leaving clothes wet. When the heating element wears out or gets damaged, the dryer will still spin and complete the cycle but you won’t get dry clothes. Other common dryer problems are clogged ducts, faulty blown thermal fuse, or defective thermostats.
So, if your dryer is not heating up, you need to first make sure that your appliance is getting power and proper voltage. Next, you need to check the heating element, thermal fuse, thermostat, timer motor, and other components. However, not all people are technically sound to check and repair all these dryer parts. Unless you have the technical know-how, make sure you find a licensed dryer repair technician to fix the problem.
How to Fix Heating Element of Dryer?
A faulty heating element is the most common issue because this component is responsible for generating heat in electric dryers. This part of the dryer comprises a coil made of heating wire which is enclosed in a metal chamber. Heat is produced when electric current flows through the coil. When this heating element gets damaged, the dryer fails to generate heat and dry clothes. Unlike other parts that can be repaired, the heating element can’t be repaired. When this part gets damaged or worn out, you will have to replace it.
As you know, different brands offer various models of dryers. These different models have heating elements in various shapes and sizes. All heating elements perform the same function but when it comes to replacement, you need to check your dryer’s model. Before you try to locate the heating element, make sure you disconnect the appliance from the power source. Once you unplug the unit, the next step is disassembling the dryer's cabinet to locate the heating element and test it.
Replacing Dryer Heating Element
If you don’t want to take any risk, it’s better to call a professional for replacing the heating element. DIY repair jobs have a risk of causing further damages that could result aggravate the issue. But if you’re confident in doing the job, you need to first open the dryer’s cabinet section. The location of the heating element depends on the model of the dryer. Most probably, you will find it either on the back panel of the dryer or inside the dryer cabinet behind the drum. The dryer that has a rear panel sticking out a few inches from the cabinet usually has the heating element at the back of the dryer.
The other models that have a flat rear panel usually have a heating element inside and you need to disassemble the drum to access the heating element. You can take the help of the user manual to find out instructions for opening your dryer’s cabinet.
Some models only need the wire coil replacement and there’s no need to replace the entire heater assembly. The canister with several wires holds the heating element. You need to take out sheet metal to get access to the heating element. Once you find the heating element, take a close look at the metal wire coil to identify damages. If the wire is broken or damaged, then replace the old heating element with a new one.