What You Need to Know Before Starting

An oven element is the coil or rod that heats up inside your oven. When it stops working, your oven won't reach temperature or heat unevenly. The good news: replacing one takes about 20 minutes and costs $30 to $150 for the part itself, depending on your oven model. You do not need a technician for this repair.

Before you begin, you need three things: the correct replacement element for your oven model, a screwdriver (usually Phillips head), and a way to identify which element is broken. Most ovens have either a bake element at the bottom or a broil element at the top—sometimes both. If your oven heats from the bottom but not the top, the broil element is bad. If it won't heat at all or heats only from the top, the bake element needs replacing.

The most important step happens first: turn off the power. Switch off the circuit breaker for your oven, or unplug it if it's a portable unit. Wait five minutes before touching anything inside. This prevents electrical shock.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off power at the circuit breaker and wait five minutes before touching any part of the oven.
  • Find your oven's model number on the nameplate inside the oven or on the back, then order the exact replacement element online or from an appliance parts store.
  • Remove the old element by unscrewing the two bolts holding it in place, then slide it out and disconnect the wire terminals.
  • Install the new element by reversing the steps: connect the terminals, slide it into the slots, and tighten the bolts firmly but not so hard you crack the ceramic.
  • Test the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes before cooking food to make sure the element heats evenly.

Finding Your Oven Model and Ordering the Right Part

Every oven has a nameplate with a model number. Open your oven door and look inside the frame—usually on the left or right wall. You'll see a sticker with numbers and letters. Write down the full model number. If you can't find it inside, check the back of the oven or the side of the cabinet.

Once you have the model number, search for "[your model number] replacement element" online. You can order from appliance parts websites, Amazon, or call a local appliance parts store with the number. Tell them whether you need the bake element (bottom) or broil element (top). The part usually arrives in two to five business days. Do not guess at the part number—ovens from different manufacturers use different elements, and even the same brand uses different parts for different models.

While you wait for the part, you can prepare your workspace. Clear the oven of racks and any loose items. Have your screwdriver and a small bowl ready to hold the bolts so you don't lose them.

Removing the Old Element

With the power off and the oven cool, open the oven door fully. Locate the element you're replacing. If it's the bake element, it's at the bottom. If it's the broil element, it's at the top. You'll see a metal coil or rod with two bolts holding it to the oven wall—one on each end.

Using your screwdriver, unscrew both bolts. Turn them counterclockwise until they come free. Place the bolts in your bowl. Now gently pull the element toward you. It will slide out of two slots in the oven wall. Do not force it—if it's stuck, check that both bolts are fully removed.

Once the element is out, you'll see two wire terminals on the back end. These are the connectors that carry electricity to the element. Gently pull the terminals straight out. They should come free with light pressure. If they're stuck, wiggle them side to side as you pull. Do not yank hard or you may damage the terminal block inside the oven.

Installing the New Element

Take your new element out of the box. Before you install it, check that the terminals match the ones you just removed—they should look identical. If they don't, you have the wrong part. Stop and contact the parts supplier.

Push the wire terminals onto the connector pins inside the oven. They should slide on smoothly and sit flush against the terminal block. You'll hear or feel a small click when they're seated correctly. If they're hard to push on, do not force them—remove them and check the alignment. The terminals have a specific orientation and will only fit one way.

Now slide the element into the two slots on the oven wall. Push it all the way in until the bolt holes line up with the holes in the wall. Insert both bolts and tighten them with your screwdriver. Turn clockwise until they're snug. This is important: tighten firmly enough that the element won't wiggle, but not so hard that you crack the ceramic insulator around the bolt holes. If you hear a cracking sound, stop when ready and loosen the bolt slightly.

Testing Your Work

Close the oven door. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. Set the oven to 350°F and let it run for 15 minutes without opening the door. After 15 minutes, carefully open the door and look at the element. It should glow red or orange. If it doesn't glow at all, turn off the power and check that the wire terminals are pushed on fully.

If the element glows but the oven doesn't reach 350°F after 20 minutes, the thermostat may be broken—that's a separate repair. But if the element glows and the oven heats normally, your replacement is complete. Let the oven cool, then run it at 350°F for another 15 minutes to make sure it holds temperature steadily.

Do not cook food in the oven until you've completed this test. A new element sometimes has a slight smell the first time it heats—this is normal and will fade after one or two uses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is installing the element backward. The wire terminals must face the back of the oven, toward the terminal block. If you push the element in with the terminals facing forward, they won't connect and the oven won't heat. Before you tighten the bolts, make sure the terminals are fully seated on the connector pins.

Another mistake is over-tightening the bolts. The element sits in a ceramic insulator, and ceramic cracks easily. Tighten until the element is stable, then stop. You should not need to use force. If a bolt is hard to turn, back it out and check that the element is aligned correctly in the slots.

Finally, do not skip the power-off step. Even though the element itself is not powered when the oven is off, the terminal block inside the oven is still live if the circuit breaker is on. Always switch off the breaker and wait five minutes before touching anything inside the oven.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If the new element doesn't glow when you turn on the oven, turn off the power when ready. The most likely cause is that the wire terminals aren't fully connected. Open the oven, pull the element out slightly, and check that both terminals are pushed all the way onto the connector pins. Push them on firmly and slide the element back in.

If the element glows but the oven still won't heat, the problem is not the element—it's the thermostat or a control board issue. This requires a technician. If the element cracks during installation, you'll need to order a replacement and start over. Cracks usually happen when you over-tighten the bolts or force the element into misaligned slots.

If you're unsure whether you have the right part, contact the parts supplier with your model number and a photo of the old element. They can confirm the match before you install it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn off the breaker if my oven is electric?

Yes. Even though the element itself is not powered when the oven is off, the terminal block inside the oven carries electricity whenever the breaker is on. Always switch off the breaker at the panel and wait five minutes before working inside the oven.

Can I replace just the coil part of the element?

No. The coil and the terminal block are one unit. You must replace the entire element. Trying to repair just the coil will not work and may create a fire hazard.

How long does a new element last?

Most oven elements last 5 to 15 years depending on how often you use the oven and how well you maintain it. Keeping the oven clean and avoiding spills on the element extends its life.

What if my oven has two elements and both are broken?

Replace them one at a time using the same steps. You can do both in one afternoon. Order both parts at once so you have them on hand.

Is it safe to use the oven right after I install the new element?

Test it first at 350°F for 15 minutes with nothing inside. New elements sometimes smell slightly when they heat for the first time—this is normal. After the test run, the oven is safe to use for cooking.