If you are feeling heat from the dryer, then the element is working. Does it take a couple cycles to dry clothes or what specifically do you mean by not drying clothes? Usually the problems associated with poor drying performance is due to poor airflow from the vent. This can be caused by a crushed vent behind the dryer or years of lint buildup in the vent tube. And sometimes it's the outside vent blocked and not allowing good airflow. Occasionally it will be the cycling thermostat causing the problem, but generally, if the unit is heating, then we must look for airflow issues preventing the warm air from drying the clothes.