What you need to know before you start

A heating element is a metal coil or rod that gets hot when electricity runs through it. Your oven has at least one—usually at the bottom, sometimes one at the top too. When an element stops working, your oven won't heat evenly or at all. The good news: replacing one is a straightforward job you can do yourself in 15 to 30 minutes, and the part costs between $40 and $150 depending on your oven model.

Before you begin, turn off the power to your oven at the circuit breaker. This is not optional. Even though the element itself is not live when the oven is off, you are working inside an appliance with electrical connections, and the breaker switch is your safety step. Wait at least five minutes after cutting power, then test that the oven truly is off by trying the controls.

You will need to know your oven's exact model number to order the correct replacement element. Find it on a sticker inside the oven door frame, on the back of the unit, or in your owner's manual. Write it down before you start—you will need it to order the part.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off power at the circuit breaker and wait five minutes before touching anything inside the oven.
  • Find your oven's model number on a sticker inside the door frame or on the back, and use it to order the exact replacement element.
  • Most elements slide out of a slot at the back of the oven cavity and connect with a straightforward push-on terminal that you can disconnect by hand.
  • The entire job takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires no special tools beyond a screwdriver if your model uses mounting bolts.
  • If the element is fused to the oven wall or if you cannot access the terminal, call a technician rather than force it.

Locate the heating element and remove the racks

Open the oven door and look at the bottom of the cavity. You will see a metal coil or rod running across the floor. That is the element you need to replace. If it is visibly broken—cracked, blistered, or with a hole in it—you have found the problem. If it looks intact, the failure is internal and you still need to replace it.

Remove the oven racks and set them aside. This gives you clear access to the element and room to work. On most ovens, the racks slide out on either side; pull them straight toward you until they clear the guides.

Look at the back wall of the oven cavity where the element enters. You will see either a slot (the element slides through it) or mounting bolts holding the element in place. This tells you which removal method applies to your oven.

Disconnect the element from its terminal

At the back of the oven, behind the cavity wall, the element connects to a terminal block—a small plastic or ceramic piece with two prongs or a slot. This is where the electrical connection happens. You need to disconnect it before you can remove the old element.

Reach behind the oven cavity and locate the terminal. On most models, the element's wire straightforward pushes onto two metal prongs. Grip the wire connector (not the wire itself) and pull it straight off. It should come free with gentle, steady pressure. Do not twist or yank—if it does not move, stop and check that you have the right connector.

Some older ovens use a screw-on terminal. If you see a small wire nut or screw connection, use a screwdriver to loosen it, then unwind the wire by hand. Take a photo of how it is wound before you remove it, so you can replicate the connection on the new element.

Remove the old element

If your element slides through a slot: gently pull the element toward you. It will slide out of the back wall. The front end may be held by a clip or straightforward rest in a groove—either way, it will come free once the back end clears the wall. Pull slowly and do not force it.

If your element is bolted in place: use a screwdriver or wrench to remove the bolts holding it to the oven floor or wall. Usually there are two bolts, one on each end. Keep them in a safe place—you will use them again. Once the bolts are out, lift the element straight up and out.

Set the old element aside. Do not touch it with bare hands if it is still warm, even though the power is off. Let it cool for a few minutes if needed.

Install the new element

Unpack the new element and compare it to the old one. They should be identical in shape and size. If they are not, you have ordered the wrong part—stop and reorder the correct one using your model number.

If your oven uses a sliding element: position the new element so the back end aligns with the slot in the back wall. Slide it in slowly, pushing the back end through the wall first. The front end will settle into its groove or clip. Push until the element sits flush and level.

If your oven uses bolts: position the new element in the same location as the old one. Align the bolt holes and insert the bolts. Tighten them firmly but do not over-tighten—you want them snug, not stripped. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn is usually right.

Reconnect the terminal and test

Reach behind the oven cavity and locate the terminal block again. If the old element used a push-on connector, the new element's wire will have a matching connector on the end. Push it firmly onto the two prongs until you hear or feel a click. It should not slide off if you tug gently on the wire.

If the old element was screw-connected, wind the new element's wire around the terminal in the same pattern you photographed earlier. Tighten the wire nut or screw by hand, then give it a final quarter-turn with a screwdriver. Do not over-tighten—the goal is a find connection, not a crushed terminal.

Replace the oven racks in their original positions. Close the oven door. Go to the circuit breaker and turn the power back on. Set the oven to 350 degrees and let it run for 10 minutes. You should hear it click on and feel heat building inside. If the element glows red-orange and the oven reaches temperature, the replacement is complete.

When to call a technician instead

If the element is fused or welded to the oven wall and will not slide or lift free, do not force it. Forcing can crack the oven cavity or damage the terminal block. Call a technician—this usually means the element failed catastrophically and may have damaged the oven itself.

If you cannot locate the terminal block, if it is sealed behind a panel you cannot safely remove, or if the connector does not match the new element's wire, stop and call a technician. Some oven models have terminals in locations that require partial disassembly of the oven frame.

If the oven still does not heat after you have installed the new element and turned the power back on, the problem is not the element. Turn the power off again and call a technician. The issue may be a faulty thermostat, a broken wire, or a failed control board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the heating element is actually broken?

If the oven does not heat at all, or heats only partway, the element is likely the cause. Look inside with the door open and power on—a working element glows red-orange when the oven is heating. If it does not glow, or if you see a visible crack or hole in the coil, the element has failed. If the element looks fine but the oven still does not heat, the problem is elsewhere and you should call a technician.

Can I replace the element while the oven is still plugged in?

No. Always turn off the power at the circuit breaker and wait five minutes before touching anything inside the oven. Even though the element itself is not live when the oven is off, the terminal block and wiring are still connected to the circuit. Cutting power at the breaker is the only safe way to work.

What if I order the wrong element?

Most suppliers allow returns within 30 days if the part is unused. Before you install anything, compare the new element to the old one side by side. If they are different in shape, size, or connector type, do not install it. Contact the supplier and order the correct part using your oven's model number. Installing the wrong element can damage the oven or create a fire hazard.

Do I need any special tools?

No. A screwdriver is helpful if your element is bolted in place, and a wrench may be needed if the bolts are large. Most elements slide in and out by hand, and the terminal connector pulls off by hand. If you do not have a screwdriver, the job is not worth buying one—call a technician instead.

How long does a new heating element last?

A properly installed element usually lasts 5 to 10 years, depending on how often you use the oven and how well you maintain it. Avoid leaving spills or food debris on the element, as this can cause it to fail prematurely. If you replace the element and it fails again within a year, the problem may be a faulty thermostat or a power surge—call a technician to investigate.