The last thing you want from your Maytag Bravos dryer is the appliance failing to get hot and dry the clothes. That often happens due to a defective heating element, necessitating a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element replacement.
Generally, you can replace a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element by removing the back panel to expose and remove the Hi-Li thermostat and old heating element. Then swap the thermostat and install the replacement heating element before reinstalling the rear panel.
Once you are through these steps, your Maytag Bravos dryer should heat up and dry the clothes like a brand-new dryer. You, however, have to do the replacement correctly and ensure you fit in the correct heating element.
But more importantly, you shouldn’t be too hasty to replace the heating element unless you are sure that it’s really faulty.
To help you, I’ll explain the signs of a defective dryer heating element and how to confirm that it’s really faulty. But first, let’s be on the same page by explaining what a heating element is and what it does.
What’s A Heating Element and What Exactly Does It Do in a Maytag Bravos Dryer?
The heating element is a heating component inside the dryer just beneath the back panel that looks like a coiled wire whose job is to heat the dryer. It does so by heating the arriving cold air, which blows over it.
The heating element depends on the electric power supply to heat up. So, the heating won’t heat the dryer if there’s no electricity.
But sometimes the heating element may fail for the reasons I’ll explain next, and when it does, your Maytag Bravos dryer will fail in its utmost job – drying the clothes.
Let’s talk about that more.
What Are the Signs of a Bad Dryer Heating Element?
As mentioned above, the heating element can fail, and when it does, your Maytag Bravos dryer may suffer these issues, which calls for a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element replacement:
1. Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Heating
Your Maytag Bravos won’t heat up if the heating element fails. In that case, the cold incoming air will go through the heating element unchanged, and the clothes will come out wet.
However, a faulty heating element is not the only thing that could stop your dryer from getting hot. It could be a different thing, such as any of these:
- The dryer lacks power
- Loading clothes that are too wet
- Overloading the dryer or putting oversized/bulky options
- Choosing the wrong setting, such as control lock or auto dry
- A clogged dryer vent or lint screen
- A blown-up thermal fuse
So, while a defective heating element should be on your cards when troubleshooting a non-heating dryer, you may need to check the above issues first.
2. Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Drying
Ordinarily, you expect a Maytag Bravos dryer that won’t get hot enough not to dry the clothes. So, you can’t rule out a defective heating element if your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t dry clothes.
But like in the first case, a failed heating element shouldn’t be the only consideration. There could be another thing stopping your dryer from drying the clothes, and it could be any of these:
- Vent blockages – either lint clogging/kinking/twisting/collapsing or wrong placement
- Lint screen clogging
- Overly large, excessive, or soaking-wet laundry
- Wrong dryer setting such as Auto Dry or Time Dry
- Failed gas supply in the case of a gas Maytag Bravos dryer
So, again go through the above checks when your dryer doesn’t dry before dismantling the dryer to check out the heating element.
3. Prolonged Drying Time
Sometimes a failing heating element may not stop the dryer from heating up thoroughly but may extend the time for too long. In that case, you may have to wait forever for your dryer to get hot, which means more power consumption, which is not cost-effective.
But like the other two issues, an extended drying time may be due to other problems, not just a defective heating element. That includes the following:
- A partially clogged lint screen
- A partially blocked dryer vent
- Wrongly positioned dryer vent
- Wrong dryer setting, such as Timed Dry
- Extra-large wet loads
How Does the Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Fail?
Generally, the heating element of your Maytag dryer may fail due to any of these three reasons:
a) Burning
Your dryer’s heating element fails when it burns. That’s likely to happen when the dryer overheats. The dryer, however, does not overheat easily, something must trigger it, and it could be any of these:
- Poor airflow – You should avoid vent blockages to facilitate proper airflow. If the dryer vent is clogged or kinked, hot air will get trapped within and may eventually lead to the overheating of the heating element and other internal dryer components. Once the heating element overheats, the chances of burning are much higher.
- Power surge – Restricted airflow is not the only thing that could cause the Bravos dryer to overheat and burn the heating element. Sometimes it happens due to a power surge. Ideally, the dryer is protected from a power surge by the thermal fuse (which blows up) and the circuit breaker (which trips up). But even so, the two may fail, and when they do, and there happens to be a power surge, the heating element may overheat and burn out.
- Wiring fault – The third issue that could burn the heating element is a wiring fault. A wiring problem inside the dryer may burn something; the unfortunate component could be the heating element.
b) Physical Damage
Your dryer heating element could also fail from physical damage. Remember, this is a set of intertwined wires which could break if mishandled. So, you must be gentle when replacing it, lest you break something.
c) Wear
Your dryer heating element may wear down alongside other dryer components over time. When it does, it’s unable to heat the dryer properly.
How to Check a Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element?
Though we’ve mentioned the signs of a bad dryer heating element, such as a non-drying and non-heating dryer, they’re inconclusive. Here are, however, conclusive ways you can establish a defective heating element:
- Physical check – If the heating element shows signs of burning (from overheating), breakages, or wear, it is highly likely faulty. So, you’ll need to examine it closely physically.
- Continuity check – Using a multimeter, you can tell if the heating element is defective if it fails to show continuity. This method is more conclusive than the first one.
Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Replacement Discussed – Key Steps
Before we can look at how you can replace your dryer’s heating element, here are the things you’ll need:
- New heating element (ensure the replacement matches your Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Part Number). You can also get if from amazon
- Multimeter (for checking continuity)
- Philips screwdriver
- Wrench
Key Steps
For starters, turn off the dryer and pull it out of the power. Then move it away from the wall to create sufficient clearance. After that, here’s how to replace Maytag Bravos heating element:
Step 1: Remove The Back Panel
Unscrew the rear panel and put the crews in a small container. Then pull out the back panel and set it aside. That allows you access to the rear side of the dryer and the heating element.
Step 2: Remove the HI-Li Thermostat
The hi-limit thermostat is attached to the healing element, which you must take out before removing the heating element. You can use your dryer manual here to locate the hi-li thermostat.
Step 3: Take Out the Old Heating Element
Go ahead and loosen the old heating element and pull it out. Take the opportunity to inspect it for fault. You can use the multimeter, as explained earlier, to check if it has continuity.
If it has, return it, as that shows it’s okay. But if it doesn’t, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Swap the Thermostat
Take out the new heating element and attach the hi-limit thermostat to it—the two work as a pair.
Step 5: Install the Replacement Thermostat
Now install the replacement thermostat (together with the hi-li thermostat into position and screw it tight.
Step 6: Reinstall the Back Panel
Return the back panel and screw it tight. Then plug it back into the dryer and turn it on. It should be able to heat and dry the clothes after that.
People Also Ask
1. But Where Is the Heating Element On a Maytag Bravos Dryer?
You can find the heating element in a Maytag Bravos dryer interior in the rear panel just behind the drum. But just to be sure, check your dryer manual.
2. Why Won’t My Maytag Bravos Dryer Get Hot?
Your Maytag Bravos dryer doesn’t get hot because it lacks power, poor airflow (due to a blocked vent or lint screen), or a defective heating element. It could also be because the load is too large, excessively wet, or perhaps due to a wrong setting.
3. How Much Does a Heating Element Cost for A Dryer?
Depending on the model and manufacturer, a new dryer heating element costs about $30 – $100. If you hire a dryer technician, you’ll have to pay an extra $50 – $100 for the replacement.
4. Can You Replace a Heating Element in A Maytag Dryer?
Yes, you can replace a heating element in a Maytag Dryer. You’ll need to unplug the dryer and remove the rear panel and hi-limit thermostat before replacing the heating element.
5. How Do You Remove the Heating Element from A Maytag Bravos?
You must first remove the rear panel to remove the heating element from a Maytag Bravos. That requires you to unscrew it. You’ll then need to detach the hi-li thermostat and pull out the heating element.
6. How Should I Reset My Maytag Bravos Dryer?
You can reset a Maytag Bravos dryer by briefly cutting off its power supply. One way is to plug it out for 5 – 15 minutes (a hard reset). Alternatively, you can turn off its circuit breaker for the same duration.
Closing Thought
Above are the critical steps for a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element replacement. As shared, replacing the dryer component doesn’t take much, but you have to ensure it’s really faulty and don’t damage it during the replacement.
And since you’ll only need to buy a new heating element, you’ll save the money you would have otherwise spent on a dryer expert.