Heated wing mirror not working: what to check
Safety first: wear gloves and eye protection around cracked glass, and check your vehicle handbook before taking anything apart. If your car has airbags, sensors or cameras near the door and you are not confident, use a qualified fitter.
A heated mirror clears frost and mist in minutes. If one is not warming, the cause is often simple.
How the heating works
Heated mirrors contain a thin element behind the glass. On most cars it switches on with the rear screen heater button or a dedicated mirror heat button, and it often turns off after a few minutes.
Test it
- Switch on the rear screen heater.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Feel the glass of each mirror. It should become slightly warm to the touch.
If both mirrors stay cold, check the fuse and the heater switch. If only one mirror stays cold, the element or its connector is likely at fault.
Common causes
- Failed heating element: a break in the thin element means no heat.
- Loose heater connectors: the small plugs on the back of the glass can work loose, especially after glass replacement.
- Blown fuse: your handbook shows which one.
- Wiring damage in the door rubber boot.
Fixing it
A failed element is usually fixed by replacing the mirror glass, as long as the glass type matches yours. When ordering, make sure you choose heated glass for the correct side. If the wiring is damaged or the fault is in the mirror's electrics, a full unit may be needed.
See replacing a wing mirror for steps, including reconnecting the heater wires.
Frequently asked questions
Does my wing mirror have a heated element?
If the back of the glass has two small connection tabs with wires, it is heated. Many cars also show a heating symbol on the rear screen heater button.
Can I fit unheated glass to a heated mirror?
It will fit in some cases, but you will lose the heating function. It is best to replace like for like.
Need help finding the right mirror?
Send us your registration number, which side (driver or passenger) and a photo of the back of the mirror, and we will point you to the correct part.