Home / Blog / How to test a dryer heating element
How to Test a Dryer Heating Element
An electric dryer that tumbles with no heat often has a burned-out element, but a blown fuse can look the same. Here is how to test it and what to check first.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
To test a dryer heating element, unplug the dryer, open the back panel, disconnect the element’s wires and check continuity across its two terminals with a multimeter. No continuity means it has burned out. Also check that neither terminal shows continuity to the metal housing. Test the thermal fuse first, because it fails more often.
Key takeaways
- Unplug the dryer first: it carries 240 volts even when it is off.
- Test the thermal fuse before the element, because a blown fuse looks the same.
- No continuity across the element means it has burned out.
- A reading to the metal housing means the element is shorted and must be replaced.
What the heating element does
The element is a coil of resistance wire in the heater housing. When the dryer calls for heat, 240 volts pass through it and it glows, heating the air that the blower draws through. It fails when the coil breaks or shorts to the housing. See the heating element guide for signs and costs.
What does a dryer heating element do?
It is a coil of resistance wire in the heater housing. When the dryer calls for heat, 240 volts pass through it and it glows, heating the air the blower pulls through the drum. When the coil breaks or touches the housing, the dryer still tumbles but produces no heat, and a shorted element can also trip the breaker.
Before you test the element
- Check both halves of the double breaker, switched fully off then on
- Test the thermal fuse, which is the most common cause: how to test a thermal fuse
- Clear the vent, because a blocked vent is why most elements and fuses fail
- Unplug the dryer, and wait for the heater housing to cool
Test it step by step
- Unplug the dryer. Do not rely on the controls being off.
- Open the back panel or the bottom, and find the heater housing, usually a metal box near the blower.
- Look at the coil. A visible break, a blister or a burned spot confirms a failed element.
- Photograph the wires, then pull them off the two element terminals.
- Set a multimeter to continuity or the lowest resistance range, and touch the probes to the two terminals. A good element shows continuity, with low resistance.
- Test for a short. Touch one probe to a terminal and the other to bare metal on the housing. There should be no continuity. A beep means the element is shorted.
How do I test a dryer heating element with a multimeter?
Unplug the dryer, open the back panel and disconnect the element’s wires. Set the meter to continuity or low resistance and touch the probes to the two terminals: a good element shows continuity, and a broken one shows none. Then touch one probe to a terminal and the other to the metal housing. Any continuity there means a short.
What the result means
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Continuity across the terminals, no short | The element is good | Test the thermal fuse, thermostats and wiring, and clear the vent |
| No continuity across the terminals | The element has burned out | Replace it, and clear the vent |
| Continuity to the housing | The element is shorted | Replace it, and check the wiring for damage |
| A visibly broken coil | Confirmed failure | Replace it |
What resistance should a dryer heating element show?
It varies by model, so check the manual or the part’s rating. A good element shows a low, steady resistance, often in the range of roughly 8 to 50 ohms, while a broken one reads open or infinite. Test with the dryer unplugged and the element’s wires disconnected, because connected wires give a false reading.
Why does my dryer heating element keep burning out?
Almost always because of restricted airflow: a blocked vent makes the element run hotter and fail early. A failing thermostat that lets the heat run too high can do the same. Replacing the element without clearing the vent often means another failure within months, so clear the whole run too.
Replace it, or call a pro
The element is a common repair, typically about $200 to $350 in Plano, parts and labor. Many people replace it themselves when the dryer is unplugged and they are comfortable. Call a technician if the breaker trips, the wiring is burned, or you are unsure which part failed. See the cost guide.
How much does it cost to replace a dryer heating element?
A heating element is typically about $200 to $350 in the Plano area, parts and labor included, and the price depends on the model. A thermal fuse or thermostat is about $150 to $275, and clearing the vent about $100 to $200. These are estimates, not a quote, and you get the exact price in writing first.
Sources
- Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
- Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a heating element look fine and still be bad?
Yes. A hairline break can be hard to see, and the element can also be shorted to the housing without any visible sign. A continuity test, and a short test to the housing, settle it.
Should I replace the thermal fuse with the element?
If the dryer overheated enough to damage the element, the fuse is worth testing, and many people replace it at the same time because it is inexpensive. Always clear the vent.
Is it safe to test the element myself?
It can be, with the dryer unplugged and a meter used correctly. The dryer carries 240 volts, so if you are not comfortable, have a technician do the test.
Why does my dryer run but not heat?
The usual causes are a half-tripped breaker, a blown thermal fuse, a failed thermostat and a burned-out element. See the not-heating guide for the order to check them.
Does a gas dryer have a heating element?
No. A gas dryer uses a burner lit by an igniter. See the post on testing a gas dryer igniter.
Get your dryer working again
Call and a person will answer, or request a repair online. You get the full price in writing before any work starts.