Ready to cook your next meal but your oven or cooktop won’t turn on? Or they are on but not heating up to the proper temperature? Below are some quick troubleshooting tips and the most common repairs to consider when your oven is not heating up. In the meantime, use your air fryer, toaster oven, microwave, or other small kitchen appliance.
How Do I Know If The Temperature Isn’t Working?
The most obvious sign is that the electric elements don’t heat up at all or the ignition won’t light. Sometimes, you can get heat, but your food isn’t cooking or baking in an even or timely manner.
If you have some heat, but don’t think it’s hot enough, place a heat-safe external thermometer in your oven to measure the temperature. Just make sure the thermometer is calibrated first.
#1 Check The Error Code
If you have a modern appliance, a display code will populate letting you know what isn’t working. Grab your owner’s manual and check the display code. If you can’t find your manual, perform an online search.
For a successful online search, you will at least need to know the brand name, and possibly your make and model. You may need to pull your unit out from the wall to find the make and model. This is one of the reasons it’s a good idea to use an app or create a spreadsheet with all your household appliance information. You could even create a digital folder containing all your owner’s manuals.
#2 Power Supply Issues
If no error code is showing, check the power supply. First, head to the circuit breaker to see if a fuse is blown or the breaker is tripped. Be mindful that an outage may affect other kitchen appliances. This is especially important if your fridge and oven are on the same circuit breaker.
If you have an electric range, slide it out to ensure it is plugged in all the way. Cooking utensils can fall behind and fully or partially disconnect the cord from the outlet. Disconnection is also common after sliding it out to clean behind.
#3 Knobs Need Repositioning
If your oven is not heating up it could be as simple as repositioning the knob. Repositioning the knobs is a fast and easy fix that you can do yourself. If a knob fell off and wasn’t properly positioned to “off”, your oven and burners won’t heat to the proper position when turned “on”. This is also common after taking the knobs off for cleaning.
So, switch your knob back to the “off” position, and check to see if the knob setting is in the correct place. If not, slide it off and reposition it. If the knob won’t stay on, you can order a replacement online or from a local technician or appliance store.
#4 It’s Time To Recalibrate
Although it may not have crossed your mind, ovens need to be recalibrated. It’s not uncommon for your oven to heat 10 degrees lower or higher than it’s set. The closer it gets to 15 degrees off, the more challenges you will have when cooking your food.
One of the most common times an oven needs to be recalibrated is when it is brand new! Once set, your technician will check and recalibrate it during your annual appliance service visit.
#5 Self-Clean Lever Is Locked
Self-cleaning ovens make cleaning so much easier! However, you won’t be able to open your appliance during the cleaning cycle as the self-clean lever locks. Occasionally, before or in between cleaning, the lever will get bumped and locked into place. Your oven will still close, so you might not notice. If the lever is in the locked position, your oven won’t turn on.
In most newer models, the cooktop will still work. Either way, check the door latch assembly to see if the latch is damaged, has food particles blocking it, or is accidentally in the locked position.
#6 Temperature Sensor Troubles
In addition to your gas heat supply or heating element, you have an internal sensor that regulates the temperature. If the sensor is broken, damaged, or malfunctioning it could be why your oven is not heating up.
Sometimes the sensor gets bumped when sliding large baking dishes in or out of the oven. The sensor is designed to sit close to, but not touch your oven wall. If it is touching the wall, it will sense that the temperature is hotter than it truly is.
Use a flashlight to see if the sensor is touching the wall. It is a wire with a long or short metal bar on the end. If it is, you may be able to bend the wire back a bit from the wall. If that doesn’t work, call for a professional inspection.
#7 Heating Element is Broken
With average use, your electric oven heating element will last about 5 years. If you don’t use your oven often, it may last longer. If you use your oven daily, it may be a bit less than 5 years. In addition to its average lifespan, heating elements can be damaged if you overload your oven.
Not to worry, as replacing a broken heating element is fast and easy, and much less expensive than replacing the entire appliance. However, it is something that needs to be completed by a professional.
#8 Gas Ignition is Clogged
If liquid or food particles accidentally spilled in the gas ignition, the ignition won’t light. Turn off the gas and remove the cover. Then use a flashlight to visually inspect that the ignition is free of food and debris.
Once clean, turn the gas back on and see if ignites. If your oven is not heating up after cleaning the ignition, there could be another issue with the gas line or your appliance.
#9 Gas Supply Issues
A kink or blockage in your gas line could be why your oven is not heating up. Kinks should not be taken lightly, as the hose can degrade, and the kink can lead to a leak.
If you smell a rotten egg or odd smell anywhere in your home, turn the gas off, ventilate your home, and do not use any form of fire. If the smell persists, evacuate immediately and call the gas company. If turning off the gas fixes the leak, call a plumber before turning it back on.
#10 It’s Beyond Repair
Ovens last an average of 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced. If it’s about that time or your repair cost is more than 50% of a new appliance, it may be time for an upgrade. This doesn’t necessarily mean a brand-new appliance, as you can find quality refurbished appliances too.
If Your Oven Is Not Heating Up, Call Us For Repair!
Superior Appliance Repair is available 24/7 for emergency repairs and 7 days a week for pre-scheduled maintenance and repairs. We provide oven repairs for the entire Santa Barbara County.
