It often takes 2-3 full cycles till my clothes are

If the heating element were broken you would get no heat at all. Make sure the exhaust tube is clear ,take them apart and vacuum them out, also that the lint trap is not plugged up, also rinse the lint trap with hot water, softener will clog it up and not allow proper air flow through it, the water will bead up on the screen if this is true. Let me know if this solves it