Electric space heaters are a great way to keep your home warm and cozy. But what do you do if yours stops working? Is it making a weird noise, or is the fan just spinning and not heating up? What if it doesn’t power on at all?
In this article, I’ll go over the steps that you should follow to troubleshoot your electric space heater. I’ll also cover some helpful space heater maintenance tips so you can keep your heater running in top shape.
How to troubleshoot your electric space heater
If your space heater goes bad, there are a few steps that you can take to check its operation.
Many times there will be a power issue with the space heater. So it’s important to check the power source to the space heater—from the circuit breaker, to the outlet, to the power cable.
If the power to the space heater is good, then you’ll need to check a few things inside the space heater to see what’s wrong.
To troubleshoot your space heater, check the things below:
Check the circuit breaker
Check your breaker panel to see if the breaker for the outlet that your heater is plugged into is tripped.
If the circuit breaker is tripped, flip it back off, and then back on and see if your space heater kicks on.
If the circuit breaker trips when your space heater turns on, then you need to check if there are any other large electrical loads on the same circuit. For example, if you have a refrigerator on the same circuit as your space heater that could cause the circuit breaker to trip.
If there are no other loads on the same circuit and the circuit breaker is still tripping, then there’s another issue. Read further to keep troubleshooting.
Check the power outlet
If your electric space heater is plugged in and the breaker is not tripped, then it’s possible that there is a problem with the power outlet that the heater is plugged into.
Try plugging in a lamp or other appliance to check if there is power to the outlet.
It’s also worth noting that older homes might not be able to supply enough amperage coming out of an electrical socket to fully power an electric space heater. Your best bet would be to plug your space heater into an outlet that’s connected to another circuit breaker.
Check the power cord
Take a look at the power cord on the space heater. Does it look damaged?
If so, that could be the reason that your space heater is tripping the circuit breaker in your home. If the space heater is turned off when you plug it in and the circuit breaker trips, then there’s a good chance that a damaged power cord is to blame.
When a space heater’s power cord is damaged or frayed, there is an increased risk of electrical fires occurring in your home when using the space heater. So it’s actually a good thing that the circuit breaker is tripping—it’s keeping you safe.
If you’re using an extension cord with your space heater, be sure it’s the correct gauge. Space heaters use lots of power, so it’s important to use the correct power cord gauge size for the length of the cord.
Extension Cord Wire Gauge Requirements for a Typical 120V, 1500W Space Heater | |
Extension Cord Length: | Minimum Extension Cord Wire Gauge Size: |
25' | 16 AWG |
50' | 14 AWG |
100' | 12 AWG |
150' | 10 AWG |
Check the tip-over switch
If you find your space heater is plugged in but still not working, make sure the tip-over switch on it has not been activated.
The tip-over switch is an important safety feature of the unit that will automatically shut off power to the space heater if it’s accidentally knocked over.
This will help prevent electrical fires by cutting off power to the unit right away when tipped over.
You should be able to hear the tip-over switch click around as you move the space heater sideways. That’s an indication that it’s working.
Check the high limit safety switch
If your space heater stops working, there is a possibility that the high limit safety switch has been activated. The high limit safety switch is a safety device on many space heaters that automatically shuts off power to the heater when it overheats.
Why would a space heater overheat? One example is if the heater catches on fire—the high limit safety switch would trip and shut off power to the heater. Another example is if the heater’s fan stops working—the heater would overheat and the high limit switch would trip.
Some space heaters have a high limit safety switch that is resettable. Look for a button on the back of the heater and press it to reset the switch and see if that fixes it.
Check the thermostat for proper operation
If your space heater has a thermostat, check that it is set to the right temperature setting for the heater to turn on. If you want the heater to turn on, then you should turn the thermostat all the way up to the highest temperature.
If the thermostat is a mechanical thermostat (usually a knob or dial), then you should be able to hear the thermostat click whenever you turn it past a certain temperature. That is a good indication that the thermostat is working properly.
Check the thermal fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety device that will shut off power to the space heater if it overheats. Its purpose is similar to the high limit safety switch.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to open up your space heater to find the thermal fuse. And the thermal fuse is usually tough to find—it can be hidden behind insulation or another component inside the heater.
To test the thermal fuse, you’ll need a multimeter. Check for continuity across the leads on the thermal fuse. If you read an open line (OL), then the thermal fuse has blown, and it needs to be replaced before the space heater will work again.
Check the fan in the space heater
If your space heater has a fan, make sure the fan is working properly. The fan should be spinning without any audible noise. And if the fan is not spinning, then that’s probably why the space heater is not working.
The fan on a space heater is usually installed in such a way that it can’t be removed without disassembling the entire unit. So if you find your fan isn’t working, then there’s no easy fix for this problem—you’ll need to open up the space heater and see what’s wrong with the fan (or replace it).
Check the heating element
If your space heater is still not working, you should check the heating element for proper operation. The heating element is a part that converts electricity to heat. If the heating element isn’t working, then the space heater will not work properly.
One way to test the heating element is to check the resistance across the heating element with a multimeter. You should read somewhere around 10-100 ohms across the heating element.
If there is an open line (OL) across the leads on the heating element, then it needs to be replaced before your space heater will work again.
How to clean your electric space heater
If your space heater is dirty, then it will not only affect its performance—it’s also a safety hazard.
Dust buildup inside your space heater is dangerous because dust can catch on fire. So it’s important to remove excess dust from the inside of your space heater.
To clean your electric space heater, follow these steps:
- Turn off the heater and unplug it from the outlet. If the space heater was just running, give it some time to cool down completely.
- Clean excess dust from the outside of the heater. Use a cloth to wipe down the case of the heater.
- Take apart the space heater. On most space heaters, you just need to remove a few screws to take the heater apart.
- Clean the fan blades. Wipe down the fan blades with a cloth to remove any dust build-up.
- Clean the fan motor. Dust can get embedded inside the fan motor so it’s best to use a vacuum to suck the dust out.
- Clean the heating element. The heating element is somewhat delicate so you should use a vacuum to suck the dust out of the heating element. Alternatively, you can use a can of air duster to blow the dust out of the heating element.
- Clean the case. Use a vacuum hose with the brush attachment to clean the vents on the space heater’s case.
- Put the heater back together. After everything is cleaned and all dust removed, put the heater back together, plug it in, and turn it on. Enjoy your clean heater!
Are you following my space heater blog series?
I’ve written a few blogs answering questions that people have about space heaters. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Space Heater Placement Guide: Where Should You Put Your Space Heater?
- Electric Space Heater Not Working? Here’s What to Do
- Ceramic Versus Oil-Filled Space Heaters: What’s the Difference?
- 5 Different Types of Space Heaters: Which Should You Choose?
- Garage Heater Sizing Guide: What Size Garage Heater Do You Need?
Lots of space heaters have been thrown in the trash that only needed to be opened up and cleaned.
Save the environment and your money! Clean your heater! 🙂
Hi Peter,
That’s so true! Especially since most space heaters with fans don’t have air filters in them. They can pick up quite a bit of dust!
My electric fan heater is very old but was working until recently but the fan stopped working although the red light indicated it was receiving a current.
Looking at it for the first time since this spring I saw the filter was v dirty so I cleaned it, and used a vacuum with brush thru the grills. But it still doesn’t work. It doesn’t look easy to disassemble. It’s a Thermal 2003T, 1500W, 220-240V-50Hz. Any suggestions?
Hi Alex,
I’m not sure about that model. It sounds like its fan motor is burned out.
Unfortunately, a good cleaning is the extent of service that a user can perform on most electric space heaters. If you’ve cleaned out the dust from the heater and it’s still not working, it might be time to retire the heater and get a new one.
Best regards,
-Trey
My space heater only turns on if it[s plugged in. It’s either on full blast or not at all. It won’t modulate
Hi John,
Most electric space heaters don’t modulate. At the most, they might have 2 or 3 speeds. There are some electric space heater models out there that modulate—but they are expensive.
What model space heater do you have?
Thanks,
-Trey
my space heater just flashingAO5-I can set it to 72 but it returns to flashing- hope you can help an old 93 year old thanks
Can I hook direct power line to the heater without the fuse
I have an Amish space heater model Y10. It comes on then shuts itself off after about 10 minutes, I push the reset button, it comes back on then does the same thing, what could be causing this to keep occurring?
Trey you know your shit. All your knowledge is on point.
THANKS
Trey,
I have the PELONIS 1500W 3-SPEED ELECTRIC FANFORCED SPACE HEATER. It comes on for about 2 minutes and shuts off. I don’t see trouble shooting information to take it apart (I don’t see screws).
The screen is showing a red lock and I cannot set it for any temperature. Does not allow any seting
Why won’t the reset button on my space heater plug work
My electric heater only works on the low setting. If I turn it on the highest setting it works for about 30 seconds and then the heating element shuts off.
My space heater is digital. It was working fine, then I heard a click as if it had reached the room temp and shut itself off for a cycle. But it never came back on. Everything is lit up, I hear the thermostat clicking trying to turn it on, but the fan isn’t engaging and I don’t feel the element heating up. I took it apart and cleaned it last night. It was running the best it has ever run before, and then nothing. I don’t know what I can do but my kids are freezing. It’s 11 degrees. Any tips please !?!
I have a portable a/c, heater, fan, humidifier. When A/c is on it works great. When in heat mode heat comes on for a little time but then it shuts down and fan stops. Then a loud noise starts. I turn it off remotely then back on and the fan starts up then then heater. It goes in cycles like this.My brother is A/c tech but hasn’t a chance to look at it yet. He said at 1st it could be the gear thar changes it from cold to hot. He also said the noise could be the compressor. But I said it doesn’t do that when in A/c mode. Also I put the temp to 88 degrees Fahrenheit and it kicks off sometimes around 60 degrees as if it reach its temperature. I dont know if this portable unit has a contactor but the loud sound it makes sounds like a contactor when it makes a loud noise on an condesor.
I purchased a riomor electric space heater 2 days ago , it worked 2 hours and hasn’t since.any help?
Went to turn off the heater and received a static shock when I hit the power button. Now the heater will now come on.
*not come on
Hello. I have an Intertek dq1704. It wouldnt power on & I heard something banging around inside. I took it apart & found a metal barbell- style weight about 1.5 in long connected to some melted plastic. Im speculating that this is the no-tip safety or the high-limit safety that has DONE ITS JOB & melted the heck off! What I need to know is how to replace it & WHERE it goes because I looked around & didnt see any clues to its origin. Im female but have an entire shop of materials with which I could replace the weight’s plastic suspension once I know WHERE it belongs. And why it melted in first place. May not WANT to put it back. Lol ANY help is GROOVY!! Love to fix stuff!Muah!
A powerful appliance like a space heater uses a lot of electricity. You might only be able to utilise a heavy-duty extension cord with a space heater as a result. You can ensure the safety of the cord in this method.
Hi Trey,
My space heater fan works but not the heater element. Any suggestions?
Gretta
Hi Gretta,
The first thing that I would check is if your space heater has a high limit switch. Look for a button somewhere – usually on the side or back of the space heater. If you find the button, press it and then check if the heat works again.
Hope this helps,
-Trey
Hi, Trey, my space heater keeps rotating once it’s plugged in, even with the rotating option turned off and the heater isn’t even turned on yet. The heating works fine but i want the rotating to stop. Please advise what to do.
Hi, my protable ceramic space heater PE-HE015 is not working. If I press a few times the tip-over switch the fan starts to work but suddenly stop working. Any advice?
Hi John,
It sounds like the tip-over switch might be worn out.
I just bought the Mainstays 3D electric stove w/ infra quartz heater for Christmas. I was very satisfied. Then yesterday… it just quit no reason! I checked wires, dust buildup, just everything I could think of plus some of y’all’s suggestions. But it’s just… QUIT!!! I have only had this three months. Ive used it carefully. But I’m almost 60, disabled and FREEZING. Please be specific with me with what should I do
Cause I don’t have a receipt and I just know Walmart gonna give me heck. Please help if possible. Thank you so very VERY much. Mrs. Stacey Badger
Hey bud, I’ve got an all metal space heater, with a dial for temperature, and a dial for hi/lo/off. The fan turns, I dusted the whole thing, and the wires are all tight inside. It will click off after about 2 minutes, and won’t turn back on until it’s turned to ‘off’ for about 90 seconds. There is no circuitry or logic in there except some old fashioned pots, and the thermal switch.
Any help? BTW it’s a comfort zone CZ550 man. 2020. Thanks!!!
Hi Thomas, that sounds like the thermal switch is tripping. Does the fan blow as hard as it used to?
the fan is very old and fully metal, it’s clean and it turns without any major resistance, it could be running slow, the fan. I’m not sure. This is the backup as the other space heater won’t even give me an LED, so,