My GE Deluxe 30-inch Oven Does Not Work But the Broiler Works

Broken Element

• The deluxe GE range has two electrical heating elements inside the oven. The top element is the broiler element; it turns on during both the baking and the broiler settings. The bottom element, however, will only turn on during the bake setting. If the broiler works but the oven bake setting doesn't work, it is likely that the bottom element is physically broken. If it is, you will see cracks, breaks or bubbling on its surface. Purchase a replacement directly from GE or a generic element from a hardware store.

Weak Elements

• All electric heating elements will wear out and eventually break. In some cases, the heating elements may not actually have cracks, nicks or visible breaks in them, but they will not be strong enough to heat the oven sufficiently. If this is the case, they will generally burn a dull orange or red, and an oven thermometer inside the oven will reveal that it hasn’t reached the proper temperature. Replace weak heating elements as soon as you notice that this is the problem.

Broken Ignitor

• The ignitor is a 2-inch device attached to each of the electric oven’s heating element. When the ignitor breaks, the heating element will not be able to turn on. If this is the case, the top heating-element will not turn on at all.

Control Panel and Wiring

• If your control panel has a short in it, or if the oven switches don’t work, the oven may be able to turn on the broiler but will be unable to turn on the other elements for a bake setting. You can undertake the repairs yourself if you have experience with electrical wiring. If not, contact a professional to repair the electrical connections within the oven.