How to Replace the Dishwasher Heating Element

If you have determined that the heating element has gone bad in your dishwasher then you may be wondering if you can easily replace it. Actually for many dishwashers the replacement is not that hard. The most important part is that you turn off all power before attempting to do any work!

The heating element is located in the bottom of the dishwasher tub. It will be submersed in the water when the dishwasher is running. To find it, look for a thin circular tube in the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Some dishwasher will have a cover over it. To get to the heating element the racks will need to be removed from the dishwasher and the cover, if there is one will have to be removed.

To replace the element you will have to remove the front kick plate of the dishwasher. A few screws will hold it in place and they are easily removed. Once you are underneath the tub you can locate the terminal ends of the heating element. Make the wires do you know which one goes where to put them back properly. Then pull the wires from the ends of the heating element. Make sure that you are pulling on the terminal connector and not just the wire to remove them.

Once you have the wires removed from the ends of the element, then look for the lock nuts up against the bottom of the tub that holds the element in place.
With a small adjustable wrench or a pliers you can loosen the locknuts. When the nuts are off of the ends of the dishwasher heating element you can then reach into the tub of the dishwasher and gently work the element loose and pull it up and out.

Place the new element into the holes and then securely fasten the new heating element in place with the lock nuts. Use a wrench or pliers to snuggly tighten the nuts. Replace the wires and the kick plate. Replace the element cover if there is one, the racks, and you are ready to roll. Turn the power back on and try it out!