Introduction
Use this guide to replace a failed bake element in a Frigidaire electric stove when the oven will not heat. The bake element, also called the lower heating element or oven heating element, sits beneath the oven floor and provides most of the heat for baking. This guide was written around a Frigidaire and Kenmore-style electric range, but rear access panels and fasteners may vary by model.
What you need
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Step 1 Disconnect power
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Move the stove only as much as needed to reach the rear wiring later in the repair.
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Step 2 Remove the oven door
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Open the oven door and find the locking tab on each hinge.
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Pull both hinge tabs down until they stop.
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Close the door slowly until it rests against the lowered hinge tabs.
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Set the door on a stable surface where it cannot fall.
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Step 3 Remove the oven racks
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Slide each oven rack toward you.
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Lift the front of the rack when it reaches the stop.
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Pull each rack out of the oven cavity.
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Set the racks aside.
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Step 4 Remove the bottom panel screws
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Locate the bottom panel that covers the bake element.
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Remove the two Phillips screws, one on each side of the panel.
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Step 5 Remove the bottom panel
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Insert a flathead screwdriver into one of the screw holes.
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Lift the back edge of the bottom panel with the screwdriver.
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Grab both sides of the panel and raise the rear edge.
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Pull the front edge out from under the front lip.
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Remove the bottom panel from the oven.
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Step 6 Remove the bake element screws
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Locate the four screws securing the bake element.
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Remove the two front screws with a 1/4 inch nut driver.
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Remove the two rear screws with a 1/4 inch nut driver.
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Step 7 Disconnect the element wires
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Move to the back of the stove where the bake-element terminals are accessible.
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Disconnect the orange wire from one bake-element terminal.
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Disconnect the yellow wire from the other terminal.
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Step 8 Remove the bake element
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Return to the oven cavity.
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Pull the bake element straight out of the oven.
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Remove the old bake element from the stove.
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Step 9 Install the replacement element
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Set the replacement bake element into the oven cavity.
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Guide the rear terminals through the holes at the back of the oven.
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Reconnect the yellow and orange wires to the bake-element terminals from the rear of the stove.
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Step 10 Secure the bake element
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Reinstall the four bake-element screws with a 1/4 inch nut driver.
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Install two screws at the front and two at the rear.
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Make sure the element sits flat in its original position under the oven floor.
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Step 11 Reinstall the bottom panel
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Slide the front edge of the bottom panel under the front lip of the oven.
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Lower the back edge into place.
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Install a washer and Phillips screw on each side of the bottom panel.
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Tighten the two panel screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
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Step 12 Reinstall the racks and door
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Slide the oven racks back onto their supports.
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Insert the door hinges into their slots.
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Open the door fully and push both hinge tabs back up.
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Close the door and confirm that it moves normally.
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Step 13 Test the repair
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Plug the stove back in.
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Set the oven to Bake and confirm that the lower element begins heating.
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Use the bake element troubleshooting resource if the oven still doesn't heat, or browse the Frigidaire and Kenmore stove repair playlist for related repairs. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.
