Ge Oven: not holding temperature

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your GE oven not holding temperature? If you notice that your oven fails to maintain the set temperature during cooking, resulting in unevenly cooked food, you're not alone. This common issue can arise from faulty heating elements, inaccurate thermostat readings, or poor door seals. Understanding the root cause can help you restore your oven's performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Ge Models

  • GE ovens may automatically adjust set temperatures in convection mode which can be mistaken for hold issues.
  • Some GE models allow thermostat calibration via control panel which can improve accuracy without part replacement.

Possible Causes

Faulty or degraded bake (heating) element

How to Identify: Element should glow evenly during heating; visible cracks, blisters or lack of full glow indicate failure.

Part: Bake element (electric) or equivalent heating component

Incorrect thermostat calibration or inaccurate internal sensor reading

How to Identify: Internal temperature deviates >15–30°F from setpoint using independent oven thermometer; calibration adjustment changes behavior.

Part: Temperature sensor / thermostat control

Oven door seal (gasket) heat loss

How to Identify: Visible wear or gaps in gasket; heat felt escaping around door edges; temperature not stabilizing in mid-cycle.

Part: Door gasket / seal

Convection mode automatic temperature adjustment

How to Identify: Oven set in convection mode shows ~25°F lower internal temperature than set due to automatic conversion mentioned in manual.

Part: Control settings / convection conversion logic

Control board or wiring issues affecting cycling

How to Identify: Oven shows error codes, inconsistent cycling, or failure across multiple components; diagnostic tools needed.

Part: Main control board / wiring harness

DIY Solutions

Check and Replace Faulty Bake Element

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: oven thermometer, screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Unplug oven or turn off breaker to remove power.
  2. Preheat oven and use oven thermometer to confirm temperature deviation.
  3. Visually inspect bake element for damage; test continuity with multimeter.
  4. If faulty, remove screws and wiring, then install new bake element.
  5. Restore power and test temperature retention again.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before accessing internal components.

Calibrate the Oven Thermostat/Sensor

Moderate 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: oven thermometer, user manual for calibration steps
  1. Place oven thermometer inside and preheat to set temperature.
  2. Compare internal reading to setpoint; note deviation.
  3. Follow GE manual instructions to adjust calibration via control panel or calibration dial.
  4. Re-test with oven thermometer until within acceptable range.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure oven is off/power safe when adjusting calibration if manual requires panel access.

Inspect and Reseat Door Gasket

Easy 10–15 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Visually examine gasket for tears or gaps.
  2. Clean gasket area and press gasket securely into track to ensure good seal.
  3. Replace gasket if visibly damaged (part purchase required).
⚠️ Safety First: Avoid sharp tools that could damage gasket.

Professional Repairs

Replace Temperature Sensor or Thermostat Assembly

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Control Board and Wiring Repair/Replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500

Door Gasket Replacement

Estimated Cost: $30 - $80

When to Call a Professional

Oven shows error codes or control panel malfunctions
Internal components like thermostat sensor or control board are suspected faulty
Gas oven igniter issues (gas models) or complex electrical faults are present

Preventive Maintenance

  • Use an oven thermometer periodically: Detecting calibration drift early
    Frequency: monthly
  • Clean oven interior and gasket: Heat loss and sensor interference
    Frequency: every 3–6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GE Oven not holding temperature?
Common causes include a faulty bake element, incorrect thermostat calibration, and door gasket issues.
How do I fix GE Oven not holding temperature myself?
You can check and replace the bake element, calibrate the thermostat, or inspect the door gasket for damage.
How much does it cost to fix not holding temperature?
Professional repair costs can range from $30 for a door gasket replacement to $500 for control board repairs.
When should I call a technician for not holding temperature?
Call a technician if DIY fixes are unsuccessful or if the issue involves complex repairs like control board replacements.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty bake element (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace faulty bake element

    Success rate: 50.0%
Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. GE Double Oven - Won't Hold Temp
  2. GE monogram wall ovens will preheat but not hold temperature

Community Discussions

bottom oven hasn't been holding temp

The issue is likely due to a faulty bake element that needs to be replaced.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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