How to Fix the Heating Element on a Whirlpool Front-Load Washer

Wondering why your Whirlpool front-load washer isn’t heating properly? We’ll help you identify a faulty heating element, explain why it needs replacement, and guide you through a quick test and fix to get your appliance back in action.

If you need any replacement parts for your Whirlpool front load washer, 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.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Multimeter
• 1/4 inch nut driver
• T20 Torx driver
• 10mm socket

Safety tips

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.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

How to test and replace the heating element

Here are the steps to test the heating element on a Whirlpool front-load washer for faults and replace it if necessary:

Access the heating element

1. Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the two screws at the back of the washer’s top panel.
2. Slide the top panel backward, lift it up, and set it aside.
3. Locate the HE2 connector with double pink wires and disconnect it to access the heating element.

Test the heating element

1. Set your multimeter to resistance mode, indicated by an upside-down horseshoe symbol.
2. Test the resistance between the two pink wires on the HE2 connector. The heating element should read between 10 and 20 Ohms. If it does not, the heating element is faulty and requires replacement.

NOTE: Generally, for every 1 degree in temperature difference, 2 Ohms could be added or subtracted. If the temperature in your home is cooler, resistance would be subtracted.

Remove the heating element

1. Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws securing the back access panel.
2. Disconnect the wires connected to the heating element.
3. Use a T20 Torx driver to remove the element cover.
4. Loosen the tension nut, secure the heating element with a 10mm socket, and carefully pull it out.

Install the new heating element

1. Insert the new heating element into the tub and tighten the 10mm tension nut.
2. Reconnect the wires to the new heating element.
3. Reinstall the element cover using the T20 Torx driver.

Reassemble the washer

1. Reattach the back access panel using the 1/4-inch nut driver.
2. Reconnect the HE2 wire terminal.
3. Slide the top panel back into place and secure it with the screws you removed earlier using the 1/4-inch nut driver.
4. Restore power to the washer by plugging it back in or flipping the circuit breaker back on.

More DIY help at your fingertips

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and swap out the heating element in your Whirlpool front-load washer. If you still need a replacement part, just grab your model number and head to AppliancePartsPros.com, where we have over two million parts ready to ship. Most orders arrive in just two business days! For help tracking down the right part, give us a call at 1 (877) 477-7278. While you’re waiting, check out our DIY blog and explore our video tutorials on YouTube. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for all the latest tips and repair guides!