How to replace the inlet thermostat on a GE electric dryer

Is your GE electric dryer leaving your clothes damp and frustratingly unwearable? A faulty inlet thermostat could be ruining your laundry routine, but don’t worry—we’ve got the solution right here. Dive into our easy-to-follow guide that includes a step-by-step how-to video, and get your dryer back to optimal performance in no time!

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

On a GE electric dryer, the inlet thermostat is responsible for monitoring and regulating the temperature inside the dryer, allowing your GE electric dryer to properly dry your clothes. Over time, use and wear can cause the inlet thermostat to become damaged. 

Fortunately, with a few basic tools and some patience, you can tackle this repair yourself and get your GE electric dryer back in working order. So, let’s get started!

Watch here: How To Replace A GE Electric Dryer Inlet Thermostat WE4M181

If you need any replacement parts for your appliance, 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.

What the part does

The inlet thermostat is responsible for monitoring the air temperature inside the dryer drum to prevent overheating. It does this by continuously measuring the temperature of the incoming air as it enters the drum. If the temperature gets too high, the inlet thermostat will automatically shut off power to the heating element to prevent damage to the dryer or potential fire hazards. 

Symptoms of a bad inlet thermostat

If the inlet thermostat is malfunctioning or has gone bad, you may experience one or more of the following issues:

• Dryer not heating up at all: the heating element will not turn on if the inlet thermostat is not registering the proper temperature range.
• Dryer cycling on and off repeatedly: a faulty thermostat may cause the heating to turn on and off erratically.
• Dryer overheating: if the thermostat fails to shut off the heating element at the proper temperature, the dryer can overheat.
• Clothes taking too long to dry: improper temperature regulation will impact the drying time and efficiency.

Possible causes of failure

There are a few common reasons why an inlet thermostat may go bad:

• Normal wear and tear over time: the thermostat components can degrade with extended use and age.
• Excessive lint buildup: lint accumulation around the thermostat can cause it to malfunction.
• Electrical issues: power surges or other electrical problems can damage the thermostat.

Replacing a faulty inlet thermostat is generally a straightforward repair that you can tackle yourself with the right replacement part and basic tools.

Learn how to tell if yours is bad here: How To Test A GE Electric Dryer Inlet Thermostat WE4M181

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 attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• 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.

Read more: Electric GE dryer won’t start: A troubleshooting guide

Tools and materials needed

• Replacement part (make sure it’s compatible with your model before installing)
• Phillips screwdriver

Read more:  How to Clean a Dryer Vent

Replacement steps

Step 1: Disassembly and removal

1. Unplug the dryer from the electrical outlet or turn off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the two screws at the top of the front panel, just behind the door.
3. Lift the top panel up slightly to clear the console legs, then pull the panel forward to remove it.
4. Remove the Philips screws found at each back corner of the front panel.
5. Lift the front panel up, rotate it to the side, and disconnect the door switch wires. Set the front panel aside.
6. Reach under the drum and disconnect the belt from the belt pulley.
7. Lift up on the belt and use it to help pull the drum forward and out. Set the drum aside.
8. Remove the four Philips screws securing the heating element outer mounting. This will allow you to move the element out of the way.
9. Locate the inlet thermostat, which is the second one from the left, next to the safety thermostat.
10. Remove the Philips mounting screw to unmount the old inlet thermostat.

Step 2: Installation and reassembly

1. Place the new inlet thermostat in the same location and secure it with the Philips mounting screw.
2. Transfer each wire from the old thermostat to the new one, one at a time.
3. Remount the heating element and secure it with the four Philips screws.
4. Reinstall the drum and reconnect the belt to the belt pulley.
5. Reconnect the door switch wires and place the front panel back onto the dryer.
6. Secure the front panel with the Philips screws you removed earlier.
7. Slide the top panel back onto the console legs, rotate it down, and secure it with the Philips screws.
8. Plug the dryer back in or turn the circuit breaker back on.

Read more: How To Disassemble A Dryer

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the inlet thermostat on your GE electric dryer. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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