Oven Heating Element Issues – Simple Ways to Diagnose & Fix

If your oven heats up slowly, has hot spots, or won’t get hot at all, the heating element is probably the culprit. The good news? Most of the time you can check it yourself before you dial a repair service. Below we break down the signs, the quick test, and the basics of replacing the part.

Common Signs Your Element Is Going Bad

1. Uneven baking. If your cakes rise on one side and stay flat on the other, the element may be partially burned out.

2. Slow heat up. A fully functional element brings the oven to temperature in a few minutes. If it’s taking twice as long, something’s wrong.

3. No heat at all. You turn the dial, the oven lights up, but nothing gets hot. That’s a classic dead element.

4. Visible damage. Look inside the oven cavity. A broken, cracked or blackened coil is an obvious red flag.

These symptoms often overlap with other issues (like a faulty thermostat), but they give you a solid starting point for troubleshooting.

Step‑by‑Step Test & Replacement Guide

Safety first. Unplug the oven or shut off the circuit breaker. A live element can give you a nasty shock.

1. Locate the element. In most electric ovens it’s a metal coil at the bottom (bake element) or the top (broil element). It’s usually screwed into a metal frame.

2. Remove it. Unscrew the mounting brackets and gently pull the element out. You’ll see two wires attached with screw terminals.

3. Test with a multimeter. Set the meter to ohms (Ω). Touch each probe to the two terminals. A healthy element reads between 20‑40 Ω. If the meter shows “∞” or a very high resistance, the coil is broken.

4. Replace if needed. Buy a replacement that matches your oven’s make and model. Fit the new element, reconnect the wires, and secure the brackets.

5. Re‑power and test. Turn the oven back on, set it to a temperature, and watch for steady heat. If it works, you’ve saved the cost of a service call.

When you’re not comfortable handling electricity, it’s smart to call a professional. A qualified technician can also check related parts like the thermostat or control board, which sometimes cause the same symptoms.

Regular maintenance helps the element last longer. Keep the oven clean, avoid heavy pans that can scratch the coil, and wipe up spills quickly to prevent corrosion.

Bottom line: most oven heating element problems are easy to spot and cheap to fix. By running a quick visual check and a multimeter test, you can decide whether a DIY swap will do the trick or if it’s time to call Bridgewater Appliance Fixers for a fast, reliable repair.