How to Replace a Dryer Thermal Fuse — Step-by-Step Instructions
Unplug the dryer. Never bypass a thermal fuse except momentarily for diagnosis — it is the component that prevents lint fires.
Tools
- Nut driver
- Multimeter
Parts
- Thermal fuse for your model (buy two — they’re cheap)
Step by step
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1 Find it
Open the lower front or rear panel; the fuse is a small white/silver oval with two wires, mounted on the blower housing or heater can depending on the model.
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2 Test it
Pull one wire and check continuity across the fuse: open = blown. (Room temperature, dryer unplugged.)
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3 Swap it
One screw, two spade terminals. The wires can go on either terminal on most fuses.
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4 Fix WHY it blew
A thermal fuse never blows for no reason. Vacuum the blower housing, check the blower wheel for lint packing, and clean the entire vent run to the outside — otherwise your new fuse is on a countdown.
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5 Test
Reassemble and run a full cycle, confirming strong airflow at the outside flap while it runs.
Second blown fuse in a year = your airflow problem is beyond a quick clean (crushed in-wall duct, roof vent, or a failing blower). A pro with a rotary rig sorts that faster than parts ever will. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a dryer repair pro near you →
Sources
Where the safety, regulatory and warranty claims on this page come from. Repair costs are our own figures based on Arizona market rates and OEM parts pricing.
- Home Fires Involving Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines National Fire Protection Association Dryer fire incidence, and failure to clean as the leading contributing factor.
Step-by-step instructions for your exact model
The same repair, tailored with your machine's error codes, known quirks, and typical costs.
What this repair costs professionally
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