Electrolux Dryer Error E64 – Heater Circuit Fault – Dryer Not Heating
The Electrolux dryer's control sees no proper current through the heating circuit. Usually an open element.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
Safety first · Consult a professional
The heater circuit runs on 240 V – switch off the breaker or unplug before opening the dryer, and let the heater housing cool. Replacing an element without fixing a clogged vent often leads to the next failure and keeps lint in a very hot duct.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Hot surfaces and hot water can cause burns. Let the appliance cool down first.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Heater Circuit Fault – Dryer Not Heating
- System
- Electrolux · Dryer
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$600
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
On US Electrolux (and matching Frigidaire) electric dryers, E64 is a heating-circuit fault: the control switched the heater on but doesn't see the circuit behave as expected. Most technician references describe it as an open heating element circuit, while some service data describe a heater-to-ground fault – the definition varies by control generation, so treat the exact wording as model-dependent. In practice the result is the same: tumbling with no heat, and a burned-out element is the most common find. Elements usually fail after running hot for a long time behind a restricted vent, so the vent needs cleaning as part of the repair, not after it.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolux electric front-load dryers (US) | E64 | Heater circuit fault – element, safety devices, wiring or relay. |
| Frigidaire dryers on the same platform | E64 | Same code family; E63, E65 and E66 are neighboring heater-circuit codes. |
| European Electrolux/AEG dryers | E64 | Different control platform – the European E64 is not the same fault, so don't apply this page there. |
Symptoms
- E64 appears a few minutes into a heated cycle
- Drum turns and the blower runs, but the air stays cool
- Drying times grew longer before the code appeared
- Air-only or no-heat settings run normally
- A faint burnt smell was noticed on the last few loads
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Heating element coil burned open
- Thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat in the heater circuit opened after overheating
- Loose or burnt terminal at the element or its wiring
- Heater relay on the control board not switching
- One leg of the 240 V supply missing (half-tripped breaker)
- Element coil touching its housing (ground fault)
Fix it step by step
Reset the breaker fully
Switch the dryer's double-pole breaker firmly off, wait a minute, then back on. A half-tripped breaker leaves the motor running while the heater gets no power.
Tools: Flashlight
Power-cycle the control
Unplug the dryer for a few minutes and try a timed heated cycle. If E64 comes straight back, the heater circuit needs testing.
Clean the airflow path
Clean the lint screen and its housing, then brush out the duct and outside hood. A restricted vent is the usual reason elements and thermal fuses fail, so do this before fitting parts.
Tools: Soft brush, Gloves
Test the element (experienced DIY)
With power off, open the rear panel and disconnect the element terminals. A healthy element for these dryers typically reads roughly 8 to 12 ohms; an OL reading means the coil is broken. Also check there's no continuity from either terminal to the metal housing.
Tools: Multimeter, Screwdriver
Test the safety devices
Check the thermal fuse and high-limit thermostat on the heater housing for continuity. An open device should be replaced, and it confirms the dryer overheated – recheck airflow.
Tools: Multimeter
Inspect terminals and wiring
Look for discolored, loose or melted terminals at the element and thermostats. A burnt terminal must be replaced along with the connector, not just pushed back on.
Tools: Flashlight, Pliers
How to reset E64
- Switch off the breaker or unplug the dryer for a few minutes.
- Restore power and start a timed heated cycle.
- If E64 returns within minutes, stop resetting and test the heater circuit.
Where the parts are
- 1Lint filter
- 2Exhaust vent
- 3Heating element
- 4Condenser
- 5Motor
- 6Temperature sensor
- 7Door switch
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Breaker reset and vent cleaning | Yes | $0–$45 |
| Thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat (DIY part) | Yes | $15–$45 |
| Heating element (DIY part) | Yes | $45–$110 |
| Heating element replaced by a technician | No | $200–$380 |
| Control board (heater relay) replacement | No | $300–$600 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Book Electrolux service or an appliance technician if you're not comfortable working on a 240-volt appliance, if the element and safety devices test good, or if E64 appears on a gas model. Gas-side components are technician work only.
Frequently asked questions
Does E64 always mean a bad heating element?
It's the most common cause, but not the only one. A blown thermal fuse, a loose terminal or a heater relay on the board can produce the same code, so test before buying parts.
Why did my element burn out in the first place?
Most often a restricted vent made the element run hotter and cycle more than it should. Clean the whole vent run when you replace it, or the new element may fail the same way.
Is E64 on my Electrolux dryer the same as the European code?
No. European Electrolux and AEG dryers use a different control platform where E64 has another meaning. This page applies to North American Electrolux and Frigidaire dryers.
Sources
- Official Electrolux user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy