Oven Element Failure: Common Causes, Signs, and What to Do Next

When your oven element failure, the breakdown of the heating coil inside an electric oven that stops it from reaching or holding temperature. Also known as burned-out oven element, it’s one of the most frequent reasons your oven stops working—even if the light and controls still turn on. It’s not always a sign your whole oven is dead. Often, it’s just one part that’s worn out, and replacing it can bring your oven back to life for years.

Most electric oven heating element, the visible coil at the top or bottom of the oven cavity that glows red when heating lasts 5 to 10 years, but it can die sooner if you use the self-clean cycle too often, get food spills on it, or have power surges. You’ll know something’s wrong if your oven takes forever to heat up, cooks food unevenly, or doesn’t get hot at all—even though the fan runs and the display works. A quick visual check often reveals the culprit: a broken, sagging, or discolored element. Sometimes, you’ll even see a gap where the coil used to be connected.

Not all oven element replacement, the process of removing a faulty heating coil and installing a new one to restore oven function needs a pro. If you’re comfortable with basic tools and can turn off the power at the breaker, you can do it yourself. But if you’re unsure about wiring, or if your oven is gas-powered, don’t risk it. Gas ovens have different components, and a faulty element in those often points to a deeper issue like a bad igniter or gas valve. And if the element keeps failing after replacement, you might have a thermostat or control board problem.

What you’ll find below are real fixes people have used—from diagnosing a cracked element to avoiding the same mistake twice. Some posts show you how to test the element with a multimeter. Others explain why cheap replacements fail faster. You’ll also see what brands hold up longest, and why skipping a professional check can cost you more in the long run. No fluff. Just what works.