Troubleshooting a Whirlpool Range Oven That’s Not Heating

Is your Whirlpool range oven not heating properly? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a simple guide to identify and replace the faulty part so you can skip the repair call and get back to cooking.

If you need any replacement parts for your Whirlpool range, 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 information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Multimeter
• 3/8-inch nut driver
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Cut-proof gloves

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or its parts. 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.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

How to troubleshoot a non-heating Whirlpool range oven

Here are the steps to troubleshoot and test the bake element in your Whirlpool oven to determine if it is functioning properly:

Step 1. Identify the bake element type

Determine if the oven has a hidden bake element located under the oven cavity floor or a visible bake element. The testing process is the same for both types.

Step 2. Access the bake element

1. Move to the back of the range.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the back covers in place.
3. Carefully remove the back covers to expose the internal components and locate the bake element wiring.

Step 3. Disconnect the bake element wire

1. Identify the wires connected to the bake element.
2. Disconnect one of the red wires going to the bake element; it doesn’t matter which one.
3. Insert the probe of the multimeter’s lead securely into the connector on the harness where the wire was disconnected.

Step 4. Prepare the multimeter

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the range 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. Set the multimeter to read AC voltage.
2. Unplug the range during this preparation step.

Step 5. Test live voltage

1. Plug the range back into the power outlet. Proceed carefully, as live voltage testing can pose a risk of electric shock.
2. Set the range to start a bake cycle.
3. Take the other lead of the multimeter and connect it to the terminal with the wire still attached to the bake element.

Step 6. Analyze the voltage reading

1. Check the multimeter reading for approximately 240 volts AC.
2. If there is no voltage reading, the main control board or the wiring harness to the bake element has failed and needs further inspection or replacement.

More DIY resources

Thanks for sticking with us! We hope this guide got your range oven back up and running. If you’ve got other appliance repairs on your list, take a look at our other guides and videos for some more help. When you’re ready to order new parts, just grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. You can chat with a pro, check out our DIY blog, view diagrams and more. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube and connect with us on Facebook, X and Instagram!