How to Fix a GE Oven That Isn’t Heating

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Paradise Appliance
May 4, 2022
Oven Repair

If your GE oven isn’t heating, this guide will help you find out why so you can fix it. Thankfully, most of the time it’s probably something simple causing the problem, which you’ll be able to repair quickly and without having to purchase expensive parts.

This guide covers the following GE oven models:

4132990

42069

4242590

4252990

4352590

ABS300J1WW

BP76GS1

CGS980SEM1SS

JB250DF1WW

JBP23DN1WW

JBP24BB4WH

JBP24WB4WW

JBP26GV3

JBP26WB4WW

JBP64BB4WH

JBS55DM2WW

JGBS66REK1SS

JGP329SET1SS

JGP336BEV2BB

JGP336WEV4WW

JGP633SET1SS

Start by testing the igniter

The best place to start is to check the igniter. Please note that if you have an electric GE oven, you can skip down to the power supply section in this guide. The purpose of the igniter is to light up the gas when you turn your GE oven on. If the igniter doesn’t work, the gas won’t ignite and your oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to test the igniter, and if faulty replace it: 

  1. Open the door to your GE oven and locate the igniter.
  2. Try to turn your oven on and at the same time look at the igniter.
  3. If the igniter doesn’t ignite the gas then it might be faulty so will need to be tested with a multimeter.
  4. To test the igniter, you first need to turn the power and gas off and then remove the igniter from your oven, and then use a multimeter to test it for continuity.
  5. If the igniter doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it is working correctly, reattach it back into the oven and proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  6. If you install a new igniter, check if your GE oven now works. If not, check the next component in this guide.

Test the broil spark electrode

The purpose of the spark electrode is to ignite the bake or broil so your oven can operate correctly. If it becomes defective, your GE oven might not heat.

Here’s how to test the broil spark electrode:

  1. Turn the power off to your oven.
  2. Turn the gas off to your oven.
  3. Locate the spark electrode (it can be found close to the burner).
  4. Thoroughly inspect the spark electrode for any signs of damage. If damaged, it should be replaced. If there is no obvious damage, remove the electrode from your oven so you can test it with a multimeter.
  5. If the electrode doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it is working correctly, reattach it back into the oven and proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  6. If you install a new electrode, check if your GE oven now works. If not, check the next component in this guide.

Test the safety valve

The safety valve opens to supply gas to your oven’s burner. When it stops working, your oven won’t ignite, and it won’t be able to heat up.

Here’s how to test the safety value:

  1. Make sure the power and gas are turned off to your oven.
  2. Locate the safety valve.
  3. Test the safety valve with a multimeter to ensure it is working correctly.
  4. If the safety valve doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it is working correctly, proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  5. If you install a new safety valve, check if your GE oven now works. If not, check the next component in this guide.

Test the power supply

If your GE oven is an electric model, it requires 240 volts of alternating current to be able to work, and if it’s a gas oven, it requires 120 volts. If the power supply becomes faulty, your oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to test the power supply:

  1. Unplug your oven if possible and plug it into a different power socket. If your oven works in a different power socket, the old socket will need to be repaired or replaced. 
  2. If your oven doesn’t work in a different socket, test the power socket/outlet with a multimeter.
  3. If the socket doesn’t have the correct voltage, it will need to be repaired or replaced. If the socket has the correct voltage, you can proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  4. If you do repair or replace the socket, test if your GE oven now works. If not, proceed to check the next component in this guide.

Test the bake element

If you have an electrical GE oven that won’t heat, the problem might be the heating element is faulty. If the element isn’t working, your oven won’t be able to heat to the correct temperature or not at all.

Here’s how to test the bake element:

  1. If the element in your oven has a cover over it, remove it.
  2. Make sure the power is switched on.
  3. Turn your oven onto bake at high heat.
  4. Open the oven door and check that the element is shining bright red. If the element isn’t red or hasn’t been turned on at all, it will need to be checked for damage and/or tested with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
  5. First, inspect the bale element to ensure it isn’t cracked or blistered. If damaged, it will need to be replaced. If there are no obvious signs of damage, test it with a multimeter.
  6. To test the element, start by making sure the power is turned off to your oven.
  7. Locate the bake element and test it with a multimeter.
  8. If the element doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it is working correctly, proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  9. If you install a new bake element, check if your GE oven now works. If not, check the next component in this guide.

Test the thermal fuse

The purpose of the thermal fuse is to stop your GE oven from staying on if it overheats. If the fuse blows or becomes defective, your oven might be prevented from turning on and heating up.

Here’s how to test the thermal fuse:

  1. Make sure the power and gas are turned off to your oven.
  2. Locate the thermal fuse and remove it from your GE oven.
  3. Test the thermal fuse with a multimeter to ensure it is working correctly.
  4. If the thermal fuse doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it is working correctly, proceed to check the next component in this guide.
  5. If you install a new thermal fuse, check if your GE oven now works. If not, check the next component in this guide.

Install a new control board

If you still haven’t found the cause of your GE oven not heating, the next step is to replace the control board in your oven. Testing the control board is difficult, so the best option is to replace it. Since replacing the control board can be expensive, have a qualified technician inspect your oven first or you might decide to purchase a new oven.

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