Appliance 4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore
Dryer heating element and thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers with wires and mounting hardware.
Dryer heating element and thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers with heating efficiency graphic.
WP4391960 dryer heating element and 279816 thermal cut-off kit with dimensions for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.
WP4391960 dryer heating element with 240V, 5200W rating and 1/4 inch terminals for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.
WP4391960 dryer heating element with heavy-duty metal frame and high-content nickel-chromium heating coils.
WP4391960 dryer heating element and 279816 thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.
Dryer heating element and thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers with wires and mounting hardware.
Dryer heating element and thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers with heating efficiency graphic.
WP4391960 dryer heating element and 279816 thermal cut-off kit with dimensions for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.
WP4391960 dryer heating element with 240V, 5200W rating and 1/4 inch terminals for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.
WP4391960 dryer heating element with heavy-duty metal frame and high-content nickel-chromium heating coils.
WP4391960 dryer heating element and 279816 thermal cut-off kit for Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.

4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore

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4391960 / WP4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Dryer Thermal Cut-off Kit

Key Features

  • Complete kit includes one heating element and one thermal cut-off kit.
  • Heating Element (4391960): Rated at 5400 Watts, 240 Volts.
  • Thermal Cut-off Kit (279816): Includes one high-limit thermostat and one thermal fuse.
  • Constructed with high-quality materials for durability and reliable performance.

Replaces / Cross-Reference Part Numbers

  • Heating Element: 4391960, WP4391960, WP4391960VP, 3367, 4319487, 279698, AP6009347, PS11742505, DE698, ER4391960
  • Thermal Cut-off Kit: 279816, 279816VP, 2651, 3399848, 3977393, AP3094244, PS334299, AH334299, EA334299, ER279816

Compatibility & Fitment

  • Designed to fit specific models from major brands including Whirlpool, Kenmore, Roper, Estate, Inglis, KitchenAid, and Crosley.

When to Replace

  • Dryer produces no heat or insufficient heat.
  • Drying cycles take significantly longer than usual.
  • Dryer becomes excessively hot during operation.
  • Dryer fails to start.

Installation Tips

  • Disconnect the dryer from its power source before beginning any repairs.
  • Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct of any lint buildup to prevent overheating and component failure.
  • Verify component failure by testing the existing heating element and fuses for continuity with a multimeter.
4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 1
4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 2
  • 4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 1

    PERFECT FIT

    BlueStars 4391960 & 279816 Dryer Heating Element With Dryer Thermal Cut-Off Kit replaces part numbers: 279218, 660965;2651, 279816, 3977393, etc.
  • 4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 2

    PREMIUM QUALITY

    4391960 & 279816 Dryer Heating Element With Dryer Thermal Cut-Off Kit is made of strong & durable materials that prevent cracking.
  • 4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 3

    SAVING SOLUTION

    Enjoy the great feeling when your dryer is repaired and works properly like before - BlueStars brings DIY solutions to help you deal with any trouble.
  • 4391960 Dryer Heating Element & 279816 Thermal Cut-Off Kit for Whirlpool Kenmore 4

    SIMPLE INSTALLATION

    The 4391960 & 279816 Dryer Heating Element With Dryer Thermal Cut-Off Kit is straightforward to attach, load, and use. Anyone can install it.
WP4391960 HEATING ELEMENT

WP4391960 HEATING ELEMENT

The heating element chamber is made of high quality METAL and contains heating wire coils which have the Nickel-chromium content reaches 85% for generating heat effectively in electric dryer
WORK LIKE A CHARM

WORK LIKE A CHARM

Highly responsive to overheat, helps protect your dryer and promotes efficiency
ECONOMICAL DIY REPAIR

ECONOMICAL DIY REPAIR

Enjoy the comfort that our dryer heating element with dryer thermal cut-off kit brings into your dryer - BlueStars provides DIY solutions to help you deal with any troubles

Compatible Models

Locate the model number of your appliance or equipment on the manufacturer's label and use it to check compatibility before ordering

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Kit Contents
‎(1) 4391960 Dryer Heating Element + 279816 Thermal Cut-off Kit [includes: 3977393 Thermal Cut-off Fuse + 3390291 High-Limit Thermostat + (2) screws + jumper wire & terminals]
4391960 - Dryer Heating Element
‎240V | 5400W | 1/4" male spade terminals | Metal housing with nichrome (nickel-chrome) heating coil | Older-style element
3977393 - Thermal Cut-off Fuse
‎Rated 309°F | One-time (non-resettable) | Mounts on heater housing
3390291 - High-Limit Thermostat
‎L250-80F | Cut-out 250°F (122°C) | Cuts back in after cooling 80°F (≈170°F) | Auto-reset

FAQs

The most common signs are the dryer running but failing to produce heat, clothes taking significantly longer than usual to dry, or the dryer failing to shut off. If your dryer is overheating or the timer is not advancing, it is often a sign that the thermal cut-off has tripped or the heating element has burned out.
This kit is compatible with a wide range of dryers manufactured by Whirlpool, including Kenmore, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, and Roper models. Because these brands share many internal components, this kit serves as a direct replacement for numerous electric dryer configurations.
The heating element (WP4391960) replaces numerous part numbers, including 279598, 279698, 337378, 340468, 349543, 349546, 696579, and 786077. The thermal cut-off kit (279816) cross-references with 3399848, 3977393, APN279816, ER279816, and SET194.
This is a 240-volt, 5400-watt heating element designed with 1/4-inch male spade terminals. It measures approximately 17 inches in length, 5.6 inches in width, and 3.2 inches in height.
Installation is considered a medium-difficulty task that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. You will generally need a screwdriver (Phillips or flathead depending on your specific model) and a putty knife to release the cabinet clips. Always disconnect the power supply before beginning any work, and it is recommended to wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges inside the dryer cabinet.
When replacing the heating element, ensure the element is properly seated in the housing and that all wire connections are secure. It is also a good practice to clean out any lint buildup in the heating element housing and the exhaust vent while the dryer is disassembled, as restricted airflow is a primary cause of heating element failure and thermal fuse tripping.