Washing machine not heating water? How to check the heating element and rule out other causes
Cold laundry usually means a burnt-out heating element, often because of limescale. Before you call a repair shop, make sure it's not just the program setting.
- Most common cause
- burnt-out heating element (limescale), temperature sensor
- Time to check
- 10 minutes
- Heating element replacement at a repair shop
- 200–480 zł
You check the heating element by removing the back panel of the washing machine. If you have no experience with electrical work, don't do it yourself. Always unplug the washing machine before unscrewing the casing.
Step by step
Check the program
Quick, “Eco” and “cold” programs heat very little or not at all. As a test, run a cotton program at 60°C.
Touch the door glass after 20 minutes
On a 60°C program the glass should feel clearly warm. Cold glass means the water isn't being heated.
Write down the error code
Many washing machines show a heating error (for example a heating element or temperature sensor error). Look up its meaning in the manual. It makes the repair easier and faster.
Check the fuse
A burnt-out heating element often short-circuits and trips the fuse or the residual-current breaker the moment heating starts. This is a strong clue for the repair shop.
Descale the machine regularly
After the repair (and before it, if the element still works), run a 90°C program with descaler every 1–2 months. Limescale insulates the heating element and makes it burn out.
- The washing machine trips the fuse or residual-current breaker when heating.
- You smell burning.
- The heating element is fine, but the machine still doesn't heat. In that case the electronics may be at fault.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Heating element replacement | 200–480 zł |
| Temperature sensor replacement | 140–270 zł |
| Electronic module repair | 410–1000 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Replacing the heating element almost always pays off. It's one of the cheaper washing machine repairs. It's a different story if the electronics are at fault in an old machine. Then compare the cost with the machine's value.
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Can I wash in cold water until I fix the heating element?
Yes, but your laundry won't come out as clean. If the heating element trips the fuse, it's better not to use the machine until it's repaired.
Why did the heating element burn out?
Most often because of limescale, which builds up on it in hard water. Regular descaling and a filter on the water inlet help.
Can I replace the heating element myself?
If you have some experience, it's a simple job: remove the back panel, unscrew the nut, pull out the old element. It's important to get the right model and seal it carefully.