Electrolux Dryer E64 Error: Heating Element Troubleshooting
Quick Answer
E64 signals a heater element malfunction where the coil is likely broken or shorted to the dryer chassis. You need to test the element for continuity and check the wiring harness for any signs of melting or loose connections.
If you ignore E64, you're not just dealing with wet laundry. A heating coil that's shorted to the chassis can stay energized even with the dryer 'off', and that's a real fire risk. When I pull the back panel on these calls, I'm usually finding a coil that's been slowly sagging for months before it finally touched the housing and killed the circuit. Don't sit on this one.
E64 on an Electrolux dryer is almost always a dead heating element, and honestly the repair's not that scary if you're comfortable with a multimeter. Parts run $80-150 and I've knocked this job out in under an hour plenty of times. Electrolux uses a stainless steel heater canister that gets brittle after years of heat cycling, so element failures are pretty common on these machines once they're past the 5-year mark.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Heating element failure75%
Wiring harness damage15%
Control board malfunction10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Clothes come out of a full cycle still cold and completely damp, like the dryer just tumbled them around with zero heat for 45 minutes.
The E64 code flashes up within the first two minutes of the cycle, sometimes before the drum even has a chance to get warm.
There's a faint burnt plastic smell coming from the back of the machine, especially right after you've been running a load.
The dryer stops dead mid-cycle and won't restart without you clearing the error code first.
You notice the exhaust vent is blowing room-temperature air instead of hot air during a cycle, which you can feel with your hand outside.
Can you reset a Electrolux dryer to clear the E64 code?
Unplug the dryer from the wall and wait at least 5 minutes. Then plug it back in, press and hold the Cancel button for 3 seconds, and watch the display. If it clears to the normal standby screen, run a short cycle on high heat. If E64 comes right back, there's a real hardware failure that no reset's going to fix. You need to replace the element.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriver5/16" nut driverDigital multimeter (set to ohms/continuity)Flathead screwdriver for releasing wire connectorsFlashlight or headlampWork glovesNeedle-nose pliers
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range12–18 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my Electrolux dryer to clear the E64 code?
You can try unplugging it for 5 minutes, but here's the thing about E64: it's almost always a physical part failure. If that heating element coil is snapped or grounded, the code's coming back the second you start a new cycle. I've had customers call me after spending 20 minutes trying different button combos trying to make it go away. The code's not the problem, the broken element is. Fix the part and the code clears itself.
Why did my heating element burn out so quickly?
Airflow, almost every time. If your dryer vent is even partially clogged with lint, the heater runs hotter than it's supposed to because there's not enough moving air to carry that heat away from the coils. The metal gets way too hot on every cycle, fatigues faster, and eventually just snaps. When was the last time you cleaned the duct all the way out to the exterior vent? Not just the trap inside the door, the whole duct. If you can't remember, that's probably your answer.
Is it safe to use the dryer if it still runs but shows E64?
No, and I'd really push back on running it at all. If the coil is shorted to the metal housing, that chassis can be carrying voltage even when the dryer appears to be off. That's a shock hazard and a fire risk in the same package. I've seen guys say 'well it still tumbles so I'll just use it cold' and honestly that's not a good idea either while a grounded fault is sitting in there. Just unplug it until it's fixed.
How much does it cost to fix an E64 error?
DIY route, a new Electrolux heating element assembly runs about $80 to $150 depending on your model. Part number 134792700 fits a lot of the common models. If you're hiring a tech, figure $250 to $400 all-in with labor. If someone quotes you over $400 for a straight element swap on one of these, that's on the high end. The job's maybe an hour of actual work once you've done it once.
Do I need to replace the whole heater assembly or just the coil?
On basically every modern Electrolux model, the coil is crimped into the housing as a single sealed unit. You can't buy just the coil wire by itself. I always replace the whole assembly anyway, because the ceramic insulators inside get brittle from heat over the years, and if you put a new coil in an old housing with cracked insulators, you're just going to be back here in a year doing it again. Buy the whole thing, do it once.
How do I know if it's the thermostat and not the element causing E64?
Good question and it trips people up sometimes. The high-limit thermostat sits right on top of the heater housing and it's about the size of a quarter. Set your multimeter to continuity mode and test across its two terminals. A good thermostat shows continuity at room temperature. If you get nothing, the thermostat's failed open and it's cutting the circuit before the board even sees the element. Test the thermostat first before you buy a whole element, because it's a $10 part and they fail more often than people realize.
Models Known to Experience E64 Errors
This repair applies to most Electrolux dryers with this error code. Common model numbers include: