RapidRepair

Electric oven light on but no heat? Look at the bake element

In an electric oven, the bake element is the lower heating element, the one on the floor of the oven. When it is damaged, the light and display can still work while the oven stays cold. Whirlpool lists a broken heating element as a possible reason an electric oven won't heat.

A look at the element takes a few minutes. This page is for electric ovens.

Before you start

  • Turn the oven off and let it cool all the way.
  • Before you inspect the element, unplug the range, or switch off the breaker that powers the range or wall oven.
  • Have a flashlight ready.
  • If you have a gas oven and smell gas, leave first and call from outside.

Steps

  1. Start with the oven cool. Set it to Bake at a normal baking temperature and watch the lower element through the window. GE says the bake element should glow red. If it stays dark after several minutes, turn the oven off.
  2. Let the oven cool completely.
  3. Unplug the range, or switch off the breaker that powers the range or wall oven.
  4. Take out the racks if they are in the way.
  5. Use the flashlight and look over the whole bake element. Look for cracks or breaks.
  6. Look at the oven door gasket too. GE says a torn gasket can let heat escape.
  7. Don't bend, pull or poke at the element.
  8. If the element is cracked or broken, it needs replacing. GE sells the part for its ovens. Look up your model number first, because elements differ from model to model, and follow your manual for the swap.

When to stop

Stop and call a repair service if any of these happen.

  • You smell gas. Leave first and call from outside.
  • You see sparks, smoke or scorch marks, or you smell burning.
  • You see damaged or melted wiring, or the element is loose at the back wall.
  • You can't switch off the power to the oven, or you aren't comfortable working near the wiring.
  • The element looks fine and the oven still doesn't heat. Other parts can stop the heat, so stop and call a repair service.
  • The door gasket is torn. GE says that gasket is a job for a service visit.

Sources

Steps based on manufacturer support pages; your model's manual comes first.