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Testing a heating element
| Note: | | Disconnect the power source to your dryer before you conduct this or any other test. Either unplug the unit from the wall outlet, remove the appropriate fuse from the fuse box, or flip the appropriate breaker in the circuit breaker panel. |
Dryer heating elements come in various shapes and sizes. They are all strung with a coiled wire made of a nickel and a chrome alloy. This wire receives, but resists, a controlled electric current and as a result, the wire heats up. The heat produced is used to heat and dry the clothes in your dryer.
Depending on your model, you may have to disassembly your dryer's cabinet in order to gain access to and test the heating element. If you have not yet disassembled your dryer to access your heating element, you can learn how to do so by referring to our How to open your dryer's cabinet section.
Once you have gained access to your dryer's heating element, set your multimeter to the R x 1 resistance scale. Touch each meter probe and to one end of the element. If you receive a reading of infinite resistance, then your heating element is no longer functioning properly and you will have to replace it.
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