If your GE oven will not turn on, it can be difficult to diagnose what the issue is. So in this article, we will show you why your GE oven will not turn on and the steps you need to follow to fix this issue.
Why Won’t My GE Oven Turn On?
There are many possible reasons you GE oven will not turn on. They are a faulty heating element, igniter, broil element, thermal fuse, control board, thermostat or safety valve. Below, we will show you how to test and replace each one.
GE Oven Will Not Turn On — How To Fix
If your GE oven will not turn on, keep reading to learn the possible causes and what to do about them.
1. The Heating Element
The element is the main heating component in an electric oven. When the bake feature is selected, the control board sends voltage to the element. Once the element receives the voltage it turns on. If the heating element fails, your GE oven will not turn on. Read this article: GE Oven Shuts Off By Itself [Reasons & Easy Fix] to know how to replace a GE oven heating element. If your GE oven will not turn on still after replacing the heating element, keep reading.
2. The Igniter
An igniter is the main heating component in a gas oven. So, if your GE oven will not turn on and it uses gas, you should test and maybe replace it. In this article: GE Oven Igniter [How To, Problems & Proven Solutions] we walk you through how to replace a GE oven igniter.
3. The Safety Valve
To replace the safety valve in a GE oven, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the oven. This is to prevent the risk of electrocution.
Step 2: Open the oven door and remove the racks.
Step 3: Take out the two screws at the back of the oven’s bottom panel. You will see one screw on each side.
Step 4: Slide the oven’s bottom panel backward then lift it out.
Step 5: Pull out the oven’s bottom drawer.
Step 6: Take out the screw which holds the safety valve plate in place.
Step 7: Remove the safety valve cover.
Step 8: Take out the screws which secure the burner tube.
Step 9: Lift the burner tube off the safety valve.
Step 10: Disconnect the wires connected to the safety valve. Make sure to note where each one goes.
Step 11: Use a wrench to detach the tube from the valve.
Step 12: Take out the screw which secures the safety valve.
Step 13: Remove the safety valve. Test it using a multimeter. Replace the valve if there is no continuity. Click here to learn how to test an oven safety valve.
Step 14: Position the new safety valve and hold it in place with the screw.
Step 15: Reattach the tube to the valve and tighten the bolt.
Step 16: Connect the wires to the safety valve.
Step 17: Place the burner tube back on the safety valve and return the screws which secure it.
Step 18: Reposition the safety valve cover.
Step 19: Hold the safety valve cover in place using the screw.
Step 20: Slide the oven’s bottom panel back and push it down.
Step 21: Secure the bottom panel on each side with one screw.
Step 22: Slide the oven racks back in.
Step 23: Close the door of the oven.
Step 24: Push the bottom drawer back in.
Step 25: Since the repair is completed, you can plug the oven back in.
The video below will give you a visual of how to replace the safety valve in a GE oven.
4. The Broil Element
To replace the broil element in a GE oven, follow the steps listed below…
Step 1: As always, unplug the oven.
Step 2: Open the oven door and take out the racks in the oven.
Step 3: Take out the screw on the upper back wall of the oven which holds the temperature sensor rod in place.
Step 4: Move the sensor out of the way.
Step 5: Take out the two screws which hold the broil element in place.
Step 6: Take out the screws at the top of the oven interior which hold the broil element’s support bracket in place.
Step 7: Carefully lower the broil element down.
Step 8: Disconnect the two wires connected to the broil element. If you can’t access the element’s wires, you will have to take out the screws which secure the exterior back panel of the oven.
Step 9: Closely inspect the broil element for damage. If the element is burnt or cracked in any way, get a new one.
Step 10: Connect the wires to the new broil element.
Step 11: Reposition the new element and secure it to the top of the oven with the screws.
Step 12: Return the two screws on the upper back panel of the oven.
Step 13: Realign the oven temperature sensor rod and hold it in place with the screw.
Step 14: Slide the oven racks back in.
Step 15: Close the oven door.
Step 16: Plug the oven back in.
Keep reading if your GE oven will not turn on still.
The video below will walk you through the process of replacing the broil element in a GE oven.
5. The Thermal Fuse
If your GE oven will not turn on, you should test the thermal fuse next. When the thermal fuse blows, the oven won’t turn on and the display will be blank. Follow the steps listed below to replace the thermal fuse in your GE oven.
Step 1: Turn off the circuit breaker for your oven.
Step 2: Turn the oven around and take out all the screws which hold the back panel in place.
Step 3: Remove the back panel.
Step 4: Disconnect the two wires connected to the thermal fuse. Make sure to note where each one goes.
Step 5: Take out the screw that secures the thermal fuse to the oven.
Step 6: Test the thermal fuse using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, get a new thermal fuse. Click here if you would like to know how to test an oven thermal fuse.
Step 7: Screw the new thermal fuse to the oven.
Step 8: Connect the wires to the thermal fuse.
Step 9: Realign the back panel and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 10: Turn the oven around and switch the circuit breaker back on.
If your GE oven will not turn on still, keep reading.
Even though the video below shows how to replace the thermal fuse in a Whirlpool oven, the process is very similar to that of a GE oven.
Check out these articles…
GE Oven Error Codes [How To Fix]
GE Oven Shuts Off By Itself [Reasons & Easy Fix]
GE Oven Igniter [How To, Problems & Proven Solutions]
GE Oven Control Panel [Problems & Proven Solutions]
6. The Thermostat
This another possible reason why your GE oven will not turn on. The thermostat monitors the temperature in an oven. When the oven reaches the set temperature, it tells the control board to stop sending voltage. If the thermostat malfunctions, it will think that the oven has reached the set temperature even when it has not. This will prevent the oven from turning on. Click here to know how to replace the thermostat in a GE oven. Note that not all ovens use thermostats.
7. The Control Board
This is the last reason why your GE oven will not turn on. The control board sends voltage to the oven’s components. When the components receive this voltage, they turn on and start functioning. If the control board fails, your GE oven will not turn on. To learn how to replace this component in a GE oven, read this article
