Why is my GE electric range oven not heating? A complete troubleshooting guide

If your GE electric range oven isn’t heating up like it should, it can be a real pain, especially when you’re trying to cook a meal. There are a few common issues that can prevent an electric oven from heating, which makes this problem relatively simple to diagnose and fix yourself.

With the right tools and a little know-how, you should be able to get your oven back up and running without the need for a costly repair service. Let’s get started!

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your GE range while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The troubleshooting information in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• Multimeter
• 1/4-inch nut driver

Important: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Read more:  Electric Range Element Won’t Heat: Top 7 Reasons & Fixes

Safety tips

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

Read more:  Electric Range Little to No Heat When Baking: Top 5 Reasons and Fixes

How to troubleshoot a GE range oven that won’t heat

Follow these steps to get your oven in working order again.

Step 1: Inspect the wiring

1. Unplug the range from the power outlet.
2. Remove the 1/4-inch screws holding the terminal block cover on the back of the appliance and set the cover aside.
3. Visually inspect the wiring at the terminal block, the power cord, and the bake element for any signs of damage or burning. If you find any damage, replace the wiring. If the wiring appears to be in good condition, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Test voltage

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the range needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Plug the range in or turn the breaker on.
2. Set your multimeter to the AC voltage setting.
3. Find the bake element terminals and, using the multimeter probes, test across the two terminals with the wires still attached.
4. Check the multimeter reading. The multimeter should display approximately 240 VAC when a bake cycle is started.

If you get the expected voltage reading but the bake element doesn’t heat up, then the element is defective and needs to be replaced.

Step 3: Test the terminal block

If neither the oven section nor the surface elements are working, the issue may be with the terminal block or incorrect voltage supply.

1. Inspect the terminal block and power cord wiring for any signs of damage or burning.
2. If the wiring appears to be in good condition, you can proceed to test the voltages at the terminal block.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the range needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

3. Set your multimeter to the AC voltage setting.
4. Use the multimeter probes to check for the following voltages at the terminal block: Black wire to White wire: 120 VAC, Red wire to White wire: 120 VAC and Red wire to Black wire: 240 VAC.

If any of these readings are inconsistent, the issue is likely with the home wiring, and you should contact a licensed electrician to fix the issue.

How to test the bake element without voltage

If you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter to test live voltage, here’s an alternative way to test the bake element:

1. Unplug the range or turn off the circuit breaker to the range.
2. Remove one of the wires connected to the bake element.
3. Set your multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
4. Use the multimeter probes to check the resistance between the two bake element terminals.
5. Check the meter reading. You should see a resistance of around 20-25 Ohms. If the reading is outside of this range, the bake element is defective and needs to be replaced.

Read more:  6 safety tips for using an electric range

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your GE oven working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our thousands of free videos and troubleshooting guides available. If you need replacement parts or some extra help, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, order parts, read our DIY blog, and more.

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