Self-cleaning GE ovens have a locking oven door as a safety feature. A self-cleaning cycle drastically increases the temperature inside the oven to burn off baked-on foods. The lock keeps the door securely closed while the oven is still at unsafe temperatures so you don't accidentally get burned. The door will not open before the oven has cooled to a safe temperature. If the oven door seems stuck in locked mode, troubleshoot to determine the problem and unlock the door.
Step 1
Allow the oven to cool down if there is food inside the oven, and unlock the door once the oven has reached room temperature.
Step 2
Depress and hold the latch release button while sliding the latch to the left on ovens with a mechanical latch. Turn the "Set" or "Temperature" knob to the "Clean" position and slide the lock to the left if the oven has knobs.
Step 3
Switch the circuit breaker in your home's breaker box to the "Off" position to turn off the power to the oven. Leave it off for several minutes. Turn the circuit breaker on and unlock the door.
Step 4
Turn off the oven by pressing the "Clear/Off" key if the oven locks while baking. Wait for the oven to cool down and unlock the door.
Step 5
Press the "Self Clean" key on the oven, and use the number pad to set the oven to complete a one-hour self-clean cycle. Press the "Start" key to start the cycle. Wait 60 seconds and press the "Clear/Off" key. Unlock the door.
Step 6
Set the oven to complete a one-hour self-clean cycle and allow it to complete the cycle. Wait for the oven to cool to room temperature. Unlock the door.