How to test the bake element on a GE Electric oven that won’t heat

Is your GE electric oven failing to heat up properly, leaving your dinner plans in disarray? The culprit might be a faulty bake element, but don’t rush to call a technician just yet! Our guide will walk you through testing your oven’s bake element with ease, and we’ve included a helpful how-to video right below to get you started on this DIY repair journey.

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If your GE electric oven isn’t heating up properly during the bake cycle, the problem may be with the bake element. The bake element is responsible for generating the heat needed to cook your food in the oven. Before you call for a repair technician, you can quickly test the bake element yourself to determine if it’s the source of the heating issue. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll have the knowledge to troubleshoot your oven’s heating problems and get it back up and running.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your appliance, 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.

The troubleshooting information provided in this article is based on model 911.9342191 and may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Watch here: How To Test A GE Electric Range Bake Element

Tools and materials

• Multimeter
• ¼-inch nut driver

The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it.  

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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.
• 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.

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Testing steps

Option 1: Testing with voltage

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the oven 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. Ensure the range is plugged in and powered on.
2. Set your multimeter to the AC voltage setting.
3. Locate the terminal block cover and remove the 1/4 inch screws to access the wiring.
4. Visually inspect the wiring at the terminal block, power cord, and bake element for any damage before testing.
5. Use the multimeter probes to test across the two terminals of the bake element.
6. You should see a reading of around 240 VAC on the multimeter display.
7. If you are getting the correct voltage but the element is not heating up, the bake element is defective and needs to be replaced.

Option 2: Testing without voltage

1. Ensure the range is unplugged from the power outlet.
2. Remove one of the wires connected to the bake element.
3. Set your multimeter to measure resistance in Ohms (Ω).
4. Use the multimeter probes to check the resistance between the two terminals of the bake element.
5. A good bake element should have a resistance reading of around 20-25 Ohms.
6. If the resistance reading is outside of this range, the bake element is defective and needs to be replaced.
7. Once testing is complete, reconnect the wire to the bake element and replace the terminal block cover.
8. Plug the range back in or turn the breaker back on.

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Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your GE Electric oven 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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