A method for detecting OAM includes: sending a detection maintenance entity OAM command to a network element equipment board after a user activating an established maintenance entity; receiving a reply message sent by the network element equipment board and acquiring replying board information and monitoring ID information matched with the maintenance entity; and starting a timer, and detecting whether preconfigured heartbeat detection time is reached, if not reached, detecting whether a OAM detection result which is reported by the network element equipment board and is matched with a monitoring ID is received, if received, transferring the OAM detection result to a network management interface to be displayed; and if reached, sending the heartbeat detection message, and detecting whether the OAM detection result which is reported by the network element equipment board and is matched with the monitoring ID is received after receiving a heartbeat reply message.