How to Test a Thermal Cut Off for a Dryer

Disconnect the power cord of the dryer from the dryer wall outlet. Use a putty knife inserted between the bottom of the front panel and the top of the toe panel to disengage the spring retaining clips that secure the toe panel. Press in on the clips with the putty knife while pulling the toe panel away from the dryer.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the wires from the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is beside the thermostat on the back of the blower assembly. Some dryer models have the thermal fuse and thermostat on the side of the heating element can. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screw securing the thermal fuse to the blower housing. Remove the thermal screw from the dryer.

Set the volt-ohm meter to the RX1 setting to test for continuity. A thermal fuse at room temperature will produce a zero on the volt-ohm meter display. Touch one probe to one terminal and the other probe to the remaining terminal. Any other reading other than zero indicates a faulty thermal fuse.