Welcome to irv2.
Some electric elements you will find on the face of a heater but others you will have to find access to the back of your WH which could be on the bathroom cabinet or your kitchen cabinets.
You may not need a element but may have a poor electrical connection found in a electric box near back of heater or wires connected to element.
If you mistakenly put on electric heater without water in HW tank the element will burn out.
I would look to start for a wiring problem after making sure the circuit breaker is on in load center.
Here is some
Tech info that may help.