Why My Oven Won’t Heat Up?

It’s a situation most of us have faced at one point or another where you preheat your oven to put dinner on the table or to bake a special treat, but when you go to check it, it’s not heating up as expected. It can feel like the end of the world when you rely on your oven to cook or bake something on a tight timeline. This issue can often stem from something as simple as a blown fuse or a faulty heating element. But it could also be a more complex problem, like a broken thermostat or an issue with your oven’s electrical components. Whether you have noticed your oven is partial, not at all, or takes hours to get to temperature, knowing the most common causes may help save much hassle and maybe even an expensive repair bill. Let’s take a closer look at what might be going wrong.

8 Reasons Why Your Electric Oven Will Not Heat Up?

Here are 8 most likely reasons why your oven does not heat up:

1. Faulty Heating Element

The oven’s heating element generates heat from the top (the broil element) or bottom (the baked element). When the heating element breaks or burns out, your oven cannot generate sufficient heat to cook your food.

Heating elements over a long time get consumed when used repeatedly, particularly if subjected to hot temperatures. They might start cracking or breaking into pieces from which they cannot work anymore.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Check the bake and broil elements visually for any signs of damage, such as blisters, cracks, or burn marks.
• Turn on the oven and check if the elements glow red (if they do not glow, they are not working).
• If there is no indication of heat coming from the element, you can measure the continuity of the element using a multimeter. The absence of continuity indicates an open or faulty element that must be replaced.

2. Temperature Sensor Is Misaligned or Damaged

The temperature sensor in your oven helps to regulate and monitor the internal temperature by sending information to the control board. In case the sensor is misaligned or damaged, it may result in inaccurate temperature readings, causing the oven not to heat correctly or maintain the desired temperature.

Over time, the temperature sensor gets misaligned, usually because the oven has been moved or bumped. It may also get damaged because of wear and tear, extreme exposure to heat, or electrical malfunctions. If the sensor is faulty, the oven will not heat properly or may overheat to shut down after pretending to reach the set temperature when it has not.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Check if the temperature sensor is either out of alignment or rubbing against the oven wall; readjust if it is.
• Test the sensor using a multimeter for continuity; it must be replaced if it shows no continuity or unusual resistance.
• Check for apparent damage, such as cracks or corrosion, and replace the sensor if necessary.

3. Broken Thermostat

The thermostat in your oven controls the temperature. It is a component that tells the oven when to turn on or turn off the heating elements at a specific temperature. If this part is malfunctioning, the oven cannot reach the correct temperature and will either overheat or underheat.

Over time, this thermostat may get worn or damaged, leading to false readings on temperature levels. Failure mainly results from problems such as an electrical malfunction and even a power surge affecting the sensors within the thermostat.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Test the oven temperature with an oven thermometer. If the thermostat is faulty, there should be a significant difference between the set temperature of the oven and the reading on the thermometer.
• Some thermostats have a calibration screw that can be adjusted, but if the problem persists, it is usually necessary to replace the thermostat.
• Inspect the thermostat sensor for visible damage or displacement. A loose or broken sensor can also cause incorrect readings.

4. Tripped Circuit Breaker

The reason your oven won’t heat up is that the circuit breaker that controls the power supply to the oven trips. This eliminates the electrical supply to the stove, and it stops working.

A circuit breaker is usually a safety device that prevents electrical overload. If a surge or electrical problem arises, the circuit breaker automatically throws it off to avoid damage. Ovens, especially electric ones, require a lot of power, so a tripped breaker quickly causes an oven to malfunction.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Check the circuit breaker of the house’s panel to see whether it tripped or has something to do with the oven. It would be off or something else than other breakers.
• Turn off the breaker entirely and turn it back on. It probably needs maintenance and/or deeper electrical checking if it does not heat up.
• If the breaker trips again after reset, this indicates a more serious problem, and you should contact professionals to inspect your oven and home’s wiring.

5. Defective Oven Igniter (for gas stove oven not heating up)

If you have a gas oven, the malfunctioning igniter could be why your oven doesn’t heat up. The igniter lights the gas that will fuel the burner. If it does not work correctly, your oven will not heat up. Gas oven igniters become weak with constant use or with age. It may not generate a spark strong enough to light the gas. This makes your oven fail to heat.

How to TroubleShoot?

• If the clicking sound occurs, but the oven won’t light, the igniter may not have enough sparks to ignite the gas. Observe the appearance of the igniter. If cracked, damaged, or worn out, replace the igniter.
• The igniter could be broken and need replacing if you don’t hear any clicking.
• Using a multimeter to check for continuity, you can test whether the igniter works. The absence of continuity would mean it is faulty and must be replaced.

6. Malfunctioning Oven Control Board

The oven control board is the brain of your oven and communicates with different parts, including the thermostat and heating elements. Your oven may not heat or act erratically when the control board fails.

A faulty control board might come about due to electrical surges, damage to the board itself, or malfunctioning components within the board. When the control board fails, it might prevent the oven from getting the proper signals to activate the heating elements.

How to TroubleShoot?

• If the oven lights or timer are still working, but it doesn’t get hot, the control board might be the problem.
• At times, oven systems can recover by simply resetting or rebooting. However, this usually requires swapping the control board if things don’t work out right then.
• If you are comfortable handling electronics, you can visually inspect the control board for damage, such as burnt components or charred areas. It would be best to call a professional to assess and replace the board if unsure.

7. Gas Supply Issues (for Gas Ovens)

One of the possible reasons is that your gas oven is not heating up because of gas supply problems. Your oven can’t possibly work without a continuous supply of gas. An empty gas tank, a closed shut-off valve, or a clogged gas line can cause gas supply problems. If gas isn’t reaching the oven, it won’t ignite the burner.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Check the gas supply. If you have a propane system, ensure the gas valve is fully open and enough gas is in the tank.
• Ensure the oven’s main gas line is open if you have natural gas.
• If you suspect a clogged gas line, it’s best to call a professional, as gas lines can be dangerous to work with.

8. Oven Door Seal Issue

The oven door seal traps the heat within. When it becomes damaged or old, the oven will likely lose temperature or not heat. With time, heat and constant usage may cause wear and tear of the rubber gasket around the oven door. This leads to heat leakage into the surroundings. This results in longer cooking time or an oven that fails to reach the target temperature.

How to TroubleShoot?

• Check the door seal for cracks, tears, or any holes. If there’s such damage, you should replace the seal.
• Close the door and examine if light escapes from the edges. If it does, it is not tight enough, and the heat leaks out. The inside should be at the proper temperature if a seal is replaced.

Quick and Easy Oven Repair Services by Appliance Medic

If your oven cannot be fixed anymore and you want professional service, contact Appliance Medic for quick and efficient oven repair services. They specialize in professional appliance repair and diagnose and solve any oven-related issues within the shortest time possible.

You can go to their website and fill out an online form for an appointment. Alternatively, you can call their customer service hotline for a representative who can help you schedule a visit. They also have emergency services in case repairs are urgently needed. Appliance Medic has the best quality service from the best technicians; thus, your oven will be ready for use quickly!