A dishwasher can be a great time-saving kitchen appliance, but when your dishwasher is not heating water properly and dishware is still wet after the wash and dry cycles have been completed, then the dishwasher is only doing half the job. If you’re troubleshooting the heating element of a dishwasher, this could potentially be a sign of a problem with the heating element or other dishwasher parts.
Understanding the Dishwasher Heating Element: Function & Resistance Range
The heating element in a dishwasher serves multiple critical functions. This component heats the water during wash and rinse cycles, helps sanitize your dishes, and assists with drying by warming the air inside the tub. When working properly, a dishwasher heating element typically displays an electrical resistance reading between 10 and 50 ohms. Understanding dishwasher heating element resistance and how the heating element dishwasher system works is essential when diagnosing problems.
The heating element for dishwasher models is usually located at the bottom of the tub and operates by converting electrical energy into heat. When electricity flows through the element, its internal resistance generates heat that transfers to the surrounding water and air. This is why dishwasher heating element ohms measurements are so important during testing—they tell you whether the electrical pathway is intact and functioning as designed.
Signs Your Dishwasher Heating Element Is Not Working
Heat and venting are the two things the dishwasher needs to efficiently dry the dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware. Some dishwasher models rely on the heat generated by a final rinse cycle to do the drying, while other models will use an electrically-powered heating element to heat the air inside the tub, to heat the water itself for washing and rinsing, or to sanitize the dishware. The hot, moist air will then exit through a permanent vent or through a vent in the dishwasher door controlled by a solenoid or wax motor.
When the heating element in dishwasher not working properly, you’ll notice several telltale signs. The most obvious indicator is that dishes remain wet at the end of the cycle. You might also notice that the dishwasher is not heating water to the proper temperature during the wash cycle, leaving dishes less clean than usual. A dishwasher heater not working can also prevent the sanitize cycle from reaching the required temperature.
Other symptoms of a broken heating element dishwasher include longer cycle times, a lack of steam when opening the door after a cycle, and visible damage to the element itself. If you spot corrosion, blistering, or cracks on the heating element, this is a strong indicator that you have a faulty heating element dishwasher situation. The heating element not working in dishwasher is one of the most common appliance repair issues, and fortunately, it’s one that many homeowners can diagnose and fix themselves.
In some cases, the dishwasher element not working may be accompanied by tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses, indicating an electrical short. If your dishwasher heating element broken, it’s important to address the issue promptly to restore full functionality to your appliance.
Troubleshooting a Dishwasher Heating Element: What to Check First
When you’re troubleshooting the heating element of a dishwasher, start with a visual inspection. Open the dishwasher door, remove the bottom rack, and carefully examine the heating element for any visible damage. Look for signs of corrosion, warping, blistering, or breaks in the element’s surface. These are clear indicators that the element has failed.
Before proceeding with electrical testing, ensure the power supply to the dishwasher is turned off at the circuit breaker. Safety should always be your first priority when troubleshooting heating element of dishwasher components. Check that the water supply is also functioning correctly, as some heating issues can stem from inadequate water flow rather than element failure.
Next, verify that the dishwasher’s control settings are correct. Some models have an “air dry” or “no heat dry” option that disables the heating element. Make sure you haven’t accidentally selected this setting. Also, check your home’s circuit breaker to confirm the dishwasher is receiving power. If troubleshooting the heating element of a dishwasher reveals no obvious issues, proceed to electrical testing with a multimeter.
How to Test a Dishwasher Heating Element (With or Without Removing It)
If your dishwasher uses a heating element and you’ve noticed the dishware is not drying properly, testing is the next step. Learning how to test dishwasher heating element components will help you determine whether replacement is necessary. You can test dishwasher heating element functionality using a multimeter, and in many cases, you can perform a dishwasher heating element test without fully removing the component.
Here’s how to test heating element in dishwasher:
For testing dishwasher heating element without removing:
- Shut off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker
- Remove the lower access panel underneath the dishwasher
- Locate the heating element terminals (usually two wire connections)
- Disconnect the wires from the terminals
- Set your multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms)
- Touch the red multimeter lead to one heating element terminal and the black lead to the other terminal
- A proper reading should show between 10 and 50 Ohms of resistance
- If the meter shows infinite resistance (no change) or zero resistance, the element is defective
For how to check dishwasher heating element with removal:
- Follow the safety steps above to shut off power
- Remove the heating element from the base of the dishwasher tub (see detailed removal instructions below)
- Inspect for visible damage
- Use the multimeter test described above
- Additionally, test from each terminal to the metal housing—the meter should show infinite resistance (no continuity to ground)
When you test dishwasher heating element components and the meter displays a reading between 10 and 50 Ohms of resistance, the heating element has continuity and should be working properly. If the meter display does not change when the leads touch the terminals, or changes insignificantly, then the heating element has no continuity and can be considered defective and will need to be replaced.
Learning how to test a dishwasher heating element and how to check heating element in dishwasher systems is a valuable skill that can save you money on service calls. The test dishwasher heating element without removing method is particularly convenient for quick diagnostics.
How to Fix a Faulty Dishwasher Heating Element
Once you’ve confirmed the heating element is defective, the solution is straightforward: replacement. Unfortunately, heating elements cannot be repaired—when they fail, you need to install a new one. The good news is that learning how to fix heating element in dishwasher issues is a manageable DIY project for most homeowners.
To fix dishwasher heating element problems, you’ll need to purchase the correct replacement part for your specific dishwasher model. Before ordering, write down your dishwasher’s complete model number, which is typically found on a label inside the door or along the door frame.
When considering whether to fix heating element in dishwasher yourself or call a professional, consider these factors:
Is it worth replacing heating element in dishwasher?
- Replacement parts typically cost between $20-$100
- Professional installation can cost $150-$300
- Most dishwashers have a lifespan of 10-13 years
- If your dishwasher is relatively new (under 7 years old) and otherwise functioning well, replacement is usually worthwhile
- If the dishwasher is older and showing other problems, it might be time to consider a new appliance
The DIY approach to fix dishwasher heating element issues can save you significant money if you’re comfortable with basic appliance repair and have the necessary tools.
Uninstalling the Dishwasher If the Heating Element Is Not Working
In order to remove the heating element for testing or to replace a defective element with a new one, you will probably need to fully uninstall the dishwasher. While this process may vary depending on the model, you can use these steps as a general guide:
- Shut off the power supply to the dishwasher to prevent shock, as well as the water supply
- Remove the screws or fasteners to detach the dishwasher’s lower access panel or panels
- Use pliers to unthread the water supply line or elbow fitting from the water supply valve—be prepared for some water to spill out
- Remove the junction box cover and separate the power wires by untwisting the wire nuts. Release the grounding wire as well
- Unthread the dishwasher power cable strain relief nut so you can detach the cable from the junction box
- Detach the dishwasher drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposer
- Unthread the screws securing the dishwasher’s mounting brackets to the cabinet, countertop, or floor
- To move the dishwasher, you may need to adjust the legs to lower the appliance
- Gently pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet and countertop
- Place a weight on top of the dishwasher to help stabilize it
- Reach under the dishwasher to disconnect the heating element wires
- Unthread the nuts securing the heating element terminals to the base
- Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower dishrack
- You may need to remove the lower wash arm as well
- Pull the heating element terminals out of the base and detach the element from any retaining clips
- Install a new heating element, or replace the existing one, by securing it in the retaining clips as you insert the terminals through the holes in the base
- Reposition the wash arm, if necessary, and replace the lower dishrack
- Thread the nuts to secure the heating element terminals
- Connect the wires to the terminals
- Remove the weight and slide the dishwasher back into the cabinet
- Adjust the legs if necessary
- Rethread the screws to secure the mounting brackets to the cabinet, countertop, or floor
- Reattach the drain hose to the sink drain or garbage disposer making sure the hose is elevated above its connection point
- Reinsert the power cable strain relief in the junction box and secure with the nut
- Secure the grounding wire then join the black wires together and the white wires together using the wire nuts
- Replace the junction box cover
- Reattach the water supply line or fitting to the water inlet valve port
- Realign the lower access panel or panels, using the screws or fasteners to secure
- With the reinstallation complete, turn the water supply and power supply back on
Find the Right Dishwasher Heating Element with Repair Clinic
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With the right knowledge about how to tell if heating element is bad in dishwasher appliances and proper testing procedures, you can successfully diagnose and fix your dishwasher’s heating problems and get back to enjoying fully dried dishes after every wash cycle.