GE Electric Oven Not Heating? Common Causes & Fixes

When your GE electric range oven stops heating, it can throw off your entire meal plan. The good news is that many common causes of this issue are easy to diagnose and fix on your own. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can often get your oven working again without calling in a repair service.

Common Causes of a Non-Heating GE Electric Oven

Several issues can stop your oven from heating properly. Identifying the root cause helps you address the problem quickly.

• Faulty Heating Element: The bake or broil element may be burned out, cracked, or damaged, preventing the oven from reaching the desired temperature.
• Blown Thermal Fuse: If the thermal fuse has tripped, the oven will not heat as a safety measure.
• Defective Temperature Sensor: A malfunctioning temperature sensor may cause the oven to heat improperly or not at all.
• Broken Infinite Switch: For ovens with coil burners, a broken switch can stop power from reaching the heating element.
• Failed Control Board: If the electronic control board malfunctions, it may not send power to the heating components.
• Burnt or Loose Wiring: Worn-out wires can cause intermittent heating issues or complete failure.
• Tripped Circuit Breaker: A partially tripped breaker can stop the oven from heating even if the display works.

Tools You’ll Need

• Multimeter
• 1/4-inch nut driver

Safety First

Before starting any troubleshooting or repairs, follow these essential safety precautions:

• Unplug the appliance or switch off the circuit breaker to prevent electric shock.
• Let the oven cool completely if it has been recently used.
• Work carefully to avoid injuries—rushing can lead to mistakes.
• Use good lighting to see and access parts easily.
• Keep the area clear of clutter, children, and pets.
• Work with dry hands when handling components—moisture increases the risk of shock.
• Check the user manual for any specific safety instructions.
• Handle parts gently to prevent damage or injury.
• Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. Use a non-conductive tool if necessary.
• Take photos or notes before disconnecting the wiring to make reassembly easier.
• Do not test live voltage unless you’re experienced with multimeter safety to prevent short circuits.

How to Troubleshoot a GE Range Oven That Won’t Heat

Follow these steps to identify and fix the issue preventing your oven from heating properly.

Step 1: Inspect the Wiring

1. Unplug the range from the power outlet or turn off the circuit breaker.
2. Remove the 1/4-inch screws securing the terminal block cover on the back of the appliance and set the cover aside.
3. Visually inspect the wiring at the terminal block, power cord, and bake element for any signs of damage or burning.
4. If any wiring appears damaged, replace it before proceeding.
5. If the wiring is in good condition, move to the next step.

Step 2: Test Voltage at the Bake Element

Warning: This step involves working with live electricity. If uncomfortable using a multimeter, do not proceed. Electric shock can cause serious injury.

6. Plug the range back in or turn on the circuit breaker.
7. Set a multimeter to the AC voltage (V~) setting.
8. Locate the bake element terminals and keep the wires attached.
9. Start a bake cycle in the oven.
10. Use the multimeter probes to test across the two bake element terminals.
11. Check the multimeter reading. It should display approximately 240 VAC.
12. If the expected voltage is present but the bake element does not heat, replace the bake element.
13. If the voltage reading is low or zero, move to the next step.

Step 3: Test the Terminal Block

Warning: This step involves working with live electricity. If uncomfortable using a multimeter, do not proceed. Electric shock can cause serious injury.

14. Inspect the terminal block and power cord wiring for any signs of damage or burning.
15. If the wiring appears undamaged, proceed to test the terminal block voltages.
16. Keep the range plugged in or powered on.
17. Set the multimeter to the AC voltage (V~) setting.
18. Test for 120 VAC between the black wire and the white wire at the terminal block.
19. Test for 120 VAC between the red wire and the white wire at the terminal block.
20. Test for 240 VAC between the red wire and the black wire at the terminal block.
21. If any of these readings are incorrect, contact an electrician to inspect the home wiring.
22. If all readings are correct, proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Test the Bake Element Without Voltage

23. Unplug the range or turn off the circuit breaker.
24. Remove one wire from the bake element.
25. Set the multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
26. Place one multimeter probe on each bake element terminal.
27. Check the resistance reading. It should be between 20-25 ohms.
28. If the reading is outside this range, replace the bake element.
29. If the resistance is correct, move to the next step.

Step 5: Determine Next Steps

30. If the bake element is defective, replace it.
31. If the terminal block has bad wiring, repair or replace the damaged components.
32. If the voltage readings are incorrect, contact an electrician to inspect the home wiring.
33. If all checks pass but the oven still does not heat, further diagnosis of the control board, thermostat, or sensor may be required.

When to Call a Professional

While many oven issues can be fixed at home, some problems require expert assistance. Contact a professional if you experience:

• Repeated circuit breaker trips, indicating electrical issues that may need rewiring.
• Unusual burning smells coming from the oven, which may suggest a short circuit or internal damage.
• The oven not turning on at all, even after checking the power supply and fuses.
• Visible sparks or smoke, which could indicate a serious wiring problem.
• Control panel failures, such as unresponsive buttons or error codes that won’t reset.
• Heating issues persisting after replacing components, suggesting a deeper electrical or sensor failure.

If you’re unsure about diagnosing or replacing electrical components, it’s always safer to get professional help.

The Bottom Line

If your GE electric oven won’t heat, chances are it’s due to a common issue like a broken heating element, a tripped thermal fuse, or faulty wiring. When your oven stays cold instead of warming up, figuring out the cause can save you time and money.

The good news? Many of these problems are easy to check and fix with a few basic tools. A multimeter, a screwdriver, and some patience can go a long way. But if you’ve gone through all the troubleshooting steps and your oven still refuses to heat, don’t keep swapping out parts at random. The issue might be deeper, like a faulty control board or an electrical problem.

If dealing with live voltage or electrical repairs makes you uncomfortable, it’s best to call a professional before the problem gets worse. Fixing your oven can be straightforward, but safety should always come first. Once it’s up and running again, you can get back to cooking instead of relying on takeout.