What Bad Line Means
Bad Line means power is applied to the range but not wired correctly. GE's own advice for this one is to contact an electrician rather than a service technician, because the fault is in the supply, not the appliance. Miswired 240 V supplies are a shock and fire concern, which is why this is worth acting on immediately.
Common Causes of Bad Line
- Line and neutral connections reversed at the terminal block
- Outlet wired incorrectly
- Wrong cord type for the outlet (3-wire versus 4-wire)
- Loose or broken neutral
- One leg of the 240 V supply missing
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Switch the range's breaker off and leave it off. Do not open the terminal block or rewire the cord yourself. If the range was recently installed, moved, or had a cord changed, that is when the error was almost certainly introduced - mention it. Call a qualified electrician to check the outlet, the cord and the terminal-block connections.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- A miswired 240 V supply can leave appliance metalwork live even when the range appears to work.
- Verifying supply polarity and integrity needs live testing at the outlet and terminal block - electrician work by definition.
- Damage caused during a repair attempt may not be covered - check your warranty terms first.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.