4 reasons your electric GE dryer only produces low heat

A dryer that won’t heat enough is a frustrating issue, but you don’t have to let it disrupt your laundry routine. The good news is that you can do some DIY troubleshooting to diagnose and fix the problem — all without the need for an expensive service call.

Let’s dive in and get your electric GE dryer heating up again.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your GE dryer while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The part replacement information provided in this article is based on model DBSR453EB3WW and may not apply to your specific dryer model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• Torx 20 driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Hair dryer
• Multimeter

Important: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Read more: How To Replace A Thermal Fuse In A Dryer  

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

Read more: How to Clean a Dryer Vent

Why your electric GE dryer only produces low heat

Check out these reasons why your electric GE dryer isn’t heating and how you can test each part yourself.

Reason #1: Bad temperature selector switch

Test the temperature selector switch to see if it’s failed:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the console panel by using a Torx 20 driver to remove the mounting screws along the top of the console. Then rotate the console forward.
3. Set the temperature selector to cotton or high heat.
4. Remove the orange wire from terminal 16 and the blue wire from terminal 8.
5. Set the multimeter to continuity mode.
6. Use the multimeter probes to test for continuity from the orange wire at terminal 15 to the empty terminal 16. There should be continuity and the meter should make a beeping sound.

If there’s continuity from 15 to 16 but not to other terminals, then the selector switch is good and you’ll need to keep troubleshooting.

If there’s continuity to other terminals, then the temperature selector switch is bad and needs to be replaced.

Reason #2: Faulty outlet thermostat

Test the outlet thermostat to see if it’s bad:

1. Secure the console back in place with the Torx 20 screws.
2. Remove the two Phillips screws at the top of the front panel, behind the door.
3. Lift the top panel up at the front to clear the console legs and pull the top panel forward.
4. Remove the Phillips screws at each back corner of the front panel, then lift and rotate the front panel aside.
5. Disconnect the door switch wires.
6. Set the multimeter to continuity mode.
7. Use a hair dryer to heat the outlet thermostat on the blower housing. The thermostat should open (no continuity) after a few minutes of heating, around 135°F.

If the thermostat opens before reaching 135°F, then it’s failed and needs to be replaced.

If the thermostat opens correctly, then you’ll need to move on to the next step.

Reason #3: Defective inlet thermostat

Test the inlet thermostat to see if it’s faulty:

1. Remove the belt and drum to access the inlet thermostat on the top of the element housing.
2. Disconnect one wire from the inlet thermostat.
3. Set the multimeter to continuity mode.
4. Use the multimeter probes to test the thermostat for continuity while using a hair dryer to heat the thermostat.

If there’s no continuity after heating, the inlet thermostat has failed and needs to be replaced.

If you got continuity, then you’ll need to move on to the next step.

Reason #4: Malfunctioning heating element

Test the heating element to see if it’s stopped working:

1. Unplug the blue and purple wires from the heating element to isolate it.
2. Switch the multimeter to resistance mode (Ω).
3. Use the meter probes to test the resistance of each element winding, which should be 19.2 Ohms, +/- 1 Ohm. If the resistance is outside this range, then the heating element needs to be replaced.

Read more:  Tips for Caring for Your Dryer | Clothes Dryer Maintenance

Looking for more?

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your GE dryer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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