How to Test an Oven Element: A Step-by-Step Guide

Nothing derails a baking session faster than an oven that won’t heat up. If your cakes are coming out soggy or your roast isn’t browning, the bake or broil element might be the culprit. Testing an oven element is a straightforward process that can save you time and money before calling a technician or ordering a replacement part. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to test your oven’s heating elements using a multimeter, explain what to look for, and share some tips to troubleshoot like a pro.

Why Test Your Oven Element?

Oven elements are those coiled metal pieces at the top (broil) or bottom (bake) of your oven are the workhorses of electric ovens. Over time, they can burn out, crack, or fail to heat properly. Testing them confirms whether they’re functioning or if they need replacing. Plus, it’s a satisfying DIY fix that doesn’t require advanced skills, just a little knowledge and the right tools.

Tools You’ll Need

• A multimeter (set to ohms for resistance testing)
• Screwdriver (to access the element)
• Safety gloves (optional but recommended for sharp edges)

Step-by-Step Guide to Testing an Oven Element

1. Safety First: Power Down the Oven
Before you start, unplug the oven from the wall or turn off the circuit breaker. Electricity and appliance repair don’t mix well unless you’re careful. Double-check that the power is off to avoid any shocks.

2. Locate and Access the Element

Use a screwdriver to remove the mounting screws securing the element. Gently pull the element forward to expose the wiring. If there’s enough slack in the wires, you can work from the front. However, on some ranges or ovens, the wiring may be too tight to pull out fully. In these cases, you’ll need to access the rear of the appliance to disconnect the wires safely. For ranges, this often means pulling the range out from the wall and removing the back cover panel(s) to reach the connections. Get help if it’s heavy. For wall ovens, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for safely removing the appliance from its housing, and enlist assistance if needed, as wall ovens can be cumbersome and tricky to maneuver.

• Bake Element: Located at the bottom of the oven. Start by removing any racks, then find the screws or clips securing it to the back wall.
• Broil Element: Positioned at the top. Start by removing any racks. Then remove the mounting screws and any mounting brackets.

3. Inspect Visually
Before testing, give the element a quick look. Blisters, cracks, or burn marks are dead giveaways of a failed element. If it looks damaged, you might not even need to test it, just replace it. But if it looks fine, proceed to the next step.

4. Set Up Your Multimeter
Turn your multimeter to the ohms (Ω) setting. If you have a manual ranging multimeter, set the meter to the lowest ohm setting, usually the 200 ohms setting. This measures resistance, which tells you if the element can conduct electricity properly. If you’re new to Ohm’s Law, check out our handy Ohm’s Law Calculator: A Crucial Tool for Appliance Repair to understand how resistance, voltage, and wattage tie together.

5. Test the Element

• Disconnect the wires from the element’s terminals (take a photo, or note their positions for reassembly).
• Touch one multimeter probe to each terminal of the element.
• Check the reading:
  • 19-29 ohms: Typical for a working bake element (often 2000-3000W elements at 240V).
  • 16-23 ohms: Common for broil elements (often 2500-3500W at 240V).
  • 0 ohms or infinite (OL): Indicates a short or open circuit—the element is dead.

6. Interpret the Results

• Good Reading: A resistance in the expected range means the element is likely fine. The problem might be elsewhere (failed control board, thermal fuse, thermostat, wiring, etc.).
• Bad Reading: Zero or infinite resistance confirms the element needs replacing. Order a new one from Parts Dr., matching your oven’s model number to locate the correct part.

7. Reassemble and Test
If the element checks out, reconnect the wires, secure it back in place, and restore power. Run a quick preheat test. If it fails and the element is good, you might need to dig deeper into other components.

Watch It in Action

Need a visual? Check out this step-by-step demonstration:

Pro Tips

• Know Your Specs: Resistance varies by wattage and oven size. A 2500W bake element at 240V should read about 23 ohms, while a 2000W one might be closer to 29 ohms. Use our Ohm’s Law Calculator to double-check.
• Continuity Test: If your multimeter has a continuity mode (beep setting), use it for a quick pass/fail check.
• Double-Check Connections: Loose wires can mimic a bad element, so ensure everything’s snug before testing.

When to Replace the Element

If your multimeter shows zero or infinite resistance, or if the element’s visibly damaged, it’s time for a new one. At Parts Dr., we carry a wide range of OEM bake and broil elements for brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, and more. Just enter your model number to find the perfect fit on our site.

Final Thoughts

Testing an oven element is a simple fix that can get your oven back to baking perfection. With a multimeter and a few minutes, you’ll know whether it’s the element or something else causing the issue. Have questions or need parts? Drop us a comment below or browse our catalog at Parts Dr. Happy repairing!