The 7-Step DIY Guide To Replacing Your Oven Heating Coil In 20 Minutes (Save $300+)

Is your oven failing to heat up, or are your baked goods coming out unevenly cooked? As of December 2025, a faulty heating coil—often called the heating element—is one of the most common reasons an electric oven stops working correctly. The good news is that replacing the oven coil is a straightforward DIY repair that typically costs between $10 and $85 for the part and can be completed in under an hour, potentially saving you $150–$400 in professional labor fees. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from diagnosing the issue to installing the new element, ensuring your oven is back to perfect working order.

Before you begin any appliance repair, safety is paramount. You must disconnect all electrical power to the appliance to prevent serious injury. This involves either unplugging the oven completely or, for hardwired units like wall ovens, turning off the dedicated circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel. Always double-check the power status with a non-contact voltage tester before touching any wires or components.

The Essential Troubleshooting Checklist: Is It Really the Heating Coil?

Before ordering a replacement part, it is crucial to accurately diagnose the problem. While a failing heating element is the most likely culprit, especially in older ovens, other components like the thermostat or a control board can also cause heating issues. Here are the clear signs that your heating coil needs replacement:

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• No Heat or Uneven Cooking: This is the most obvious sign. If the oven takes too long to heat, or if the food on one side of the rack is burned while the other is raw, the element is likely failing to distribute heat evenly.
• Visible Damage: Inspect the element (the coil itself). Look for cracks, blisters, swelling, or a complete break in the metal. A visible burn-through spot or exposed wires confirms the element is compromised.
• Lack of Orange Glow: When the oven is set to heat, a healthy element should quickly turn a bright, cherry-red or orange color. A faulty element will remain dark, or only partially glow.
• Strange Odors or Sounds: A burning smell that isn't food-related, or a buzzing/popping noise during operation, can indicate an electrical fault or a short circuit within the coil.
• The Fan Works, But No Heat: In many fan-assisted electric ovens, the light and fan may still turn on, but the oven will not heat up, which is a classic symptom of a dead element.

Testing the Element Resistance with a Multimeter

For a definitive diagnosis, use a multimeter to check the element's electrical resistance, also known as continuity. This test confirms if the internal wire of the coil is broken.

1. Disconnect Power: Ensure the oven is unplugged or the circuit breaker is off.
2. Access the Element Terminals: Gently pull the element forward to expose the two terminal prongs at the back of the oven cavity.
3. Set the Multimeter: Set your multimeter to the lowest Ohms ($\Omega$) setting, usually 200 ohms.
4. Test: Touch one probe to each terminal of the element.

What the Readings Mean:

• A Reading Between 19 and 115 Ohms: The element has continuity and is likely working (though specific readings vary by manufacturer and wattage). For example, a 2500W element at 240V should read around 23 ohms.
• A Reading of 'OL' (Open Loop) or Infinity: This indicates a break in the circuit and confirms the element is faulty and needs replacing.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Replace the Heating Element Coil

The replacement process is similar for both the visible bake element (on the oven floor) and the broil element (on the oven ceiling). The key difference is how you access the wiring, especially for modern ovens with a hidden bake element.

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Required Tools and Supplies (The DIY Arsenal)

• New Replacement Heating Element (ensure it matches your oven's model number)
• Screwdriver (Phillips and/or flathead)
• Nut Driver (for terminal mounting screws)
• Needle-Nose Pliers
• Non-Contact Voltage Tester (Essential safety tool)
• Electrical or Masking Tape
• Work Gloves (Recommended)

The 7-Step Replacement Process

Step 1: Disconnect All Power (Critical Safety Step)

Unplug the oven from the wall socket. If it is a wall oven or hard-wired range, locate the dedicated circuit breaker and switch it to the "Off" position. Use your non-contact voltage tester to confirm no current is flowing to the element.

Step 2: Access the Element Mounting Plate

The element is typically held in place by two screws on a small mounting plate at the back of the oven cavity. Remove these screws using a screwdriver or nut driver.

Step 3: Carefully Pull the Old Element Out

Gently pull the old element forward. As you pull, the two terminal wires connected to the back will emerge. Do not let these wires slip back into the hole in the oven wall, as retrieving them can be difficult.

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Step 4: Disconnect and Secure the Wires

Use needle-nose pliers to carefully disconnect the wires from the terminals of the old element. Pro Tip: Use electrical or masking tape to secure the wires to the oven cavity wall, or clip them with the pliers, to ensure they do not accidentally fall back into the appliance's chassis.

Step 5: Install the New Heating Element

Connect the two wires to the terminals of the new replacement element. Ensure the connections are firm and secure. Carefully slide the new element back into the oven cavity, making sure the terminals and wires do not catch or crimp.

Step 6: Secure the Mounting Plate

Align the new element's mounting plate with the holes and reinsert the screws you removed in Step 2. Tighten them securely to hold the element firmly in place.

Step 7: Reconnect Power and Test

Plug the oven back in or flip the circuit breaker back on. Set the oven to a low temperature (e.g., 350°F) and monitor the new element. It should quickly begin to glow bright red/orange and heat evenly. Allow the oven to run for 10-15 minutes to ensure proper function before using it for cooking.

Advanced Topic: Replacing a Hidden Bake Element

Modern electric ranges and wall ovens (often models from brands like LG, Kenmore, Frigidaire, and GE Profile) feature a hidden bake element located beneath the floor of the oven cavity. This design makes cleaning easier but complicates the repair process. Instead of removing the element from the front, you must first remove the oven's bottom panel from *inside* the oven.

1. Remove the Bottom Panel: Look for the two screws that secure the oven's bottom floor panel, usually located in the rear corners. Remove these screws, then lift the panel up and slide it out toward you.
2. Access the Element: The hidden element will now be visible beneath the floor. It is typically held in place by a small retainer or bracket.
3. Follow Steps 3-7: From here, the process is similar: disconnect the wires, remove the old element, slide the new one into place, reconnect the wires, and re-secure the bottom panel.

If you encounter issues beyond the heating element—such as a failed control board, a broken temperature sensor, or a faulty gas igniter (if applicable)—it is often best to consult a certified appliance technician. While a DIY element replacement is simple, electrical component troubleshooting can be complex and potentially dangerous for the inexperienced.