Oven Heating Element: Signs It's Failing and What to Do Next
When your oven heating element, the metal coil inside your oven that generates heat during baking and broiling. Also known as bake element, it's one of the most common parts to wear out in electric ovens. stops working, your oven won’t get hot—even if the light comes on and the fan runs. This isn’t a mystery. It’s usually a simple part failure. Most people assume the whole oven is broken, but 70% of the time, it’s just the heating element that’s gone. And replacing it? Often cheaper than a new oven, and way faster than waiting for a service call.
What causes the oven heating element to die? Over time, the metal fatigues from constant heating and cooling. Grease splatters, moisture, and even cleaning chemicals can speed up corrosion. You’ll know it’s bad if the element doesn’t glow red when the oven is on, or if you see visible cracks, blistering, or burn marks. Sometimes it’ll trip the circuit breaker, or the oven will heat unevenly—half the food cooks, the other half stays cold. If you’ve ruled out the thermostat or control board (which we cover in other posts), the element is the next place to look. And yes, you can test it yourself with a multimeter. No electrician needed.
It’s not just about the element itself. The oven repair process often involves checking the wiring, terminals, and even the oven’s internal fuse. A loose connection can mimic a broken element. And if you’ve got an older oven, the whole system might be showing its age. That’s why we’ve collected real stories from people who’ve faced this exact problem—some fixed it for under $50, others realized it was time for a new oven. The key is knowing when to fix it and when to walk away.
Most of the posts here come from homeowners in Warwick and surrounding areas who’ve dealt with the same issue. You’ll find step-by-step guides on how to test the element, where to buy the right replacement part for your brand, and even how to swap it out without calling a technician. We’ve also got comparisons between brands, cost breakdowns, and warnings about the most common mistakes people make when DIYing oven repairs. If your oven’s been acting up, this isn’t just a list of articles—it’s a roadmap to getting your kitchen back in working order, fast.
Learn how to safely replace a broken oven heating element yourself in New Zealand. Save money, avoid costly repairs, and get your oven working again with this step-by-step guide.