How to test & replace a bake element in an electric Samsung range
Steven E / Wednesday November 6, 2024
If your Samsung electric range isn’t heating properly, the bake element could be the issue. The bake element is responsible for generating the heat needed for baking, and when it fails, your oven won’t reach the desired temperatures. We’ll walk you through the process of testing the bake element to see if it’s faulty and, if necessary, how to replace it, so your oven can get back to working as it should.
If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your appliance 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 error code information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. The disassembly information is based on models starting with FTQ387LWGX. 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.
Safety precautions
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 attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
- Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
- Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
- Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
- Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
- Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance.
- Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
- Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury.
- If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it.
- Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
- 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.
Read more: How to Replace an Oven Bake Element
Tools and materials needed
- Phillips head screwdriver
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: A complete guide to oven rack placement for every type of baked good
Troubleshooting steps
Step 1: Access the bake element
- Unplug the range or turn off the breaker to disconnect it from the power supply.
- Slide the range away from the wall to access the back of the unit.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the rear lower cover on the back of the range, exposing the bake element and its connections.
Step 2: Test the bake element
LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the appliance 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.
- Plug the range back in and set it to bake mode.
- Set your multimeter to VAC (volts AC).
- Place the multimeter probes on each terminal of the bake element.
- Expected Reading: You should see 240 VAC on the multimeter.
- If you get 240 VAC but the bake element doesn’t heat up, the element is faulty and needs replacement.
If you don’t get 240 VAC, the issue may be with another component, such as the control board.
How to replace the bake element (if needed)
- Unplug the range again or turn off the breaker before starting the removal process.
- Disconnect the wires from the bake element.
- Remove the thin cover over the area where the bake element enters the oven cavity.
- Once the cover is off, carefully slide the bake element out from the oven cavity.
- Slide the new bake element into the slot where the old element was positioned.
- Reconnect the wires to the new bake element.
- Reinstall the thin cover you removed earlier.
- Reattach the rear lower panel to the back of the range.
- Plug the range back in or turn the breaker back on.
Read more: The Pros And Cons Of Self Cleaning Ovens
Additional information
Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your range working again.
If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.
If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.
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With nearly a decade of experience in providing top-notch customer service regarding appliance parts and repair, Steven enjoys sharing practical advice, troubleshooting tips, and interesting information to help readers stay informed.