5 Reasons Your Oven is Not Heating Up

Trying to cook in a kitchen with a broken oven can be quite an annoying experience. The savory smell of dinner doesn’t permeate quite the same way when using a microwave, and sometimes you want the convenience of baking instead of cooking on a stovetop.

If your gas or electric oven is failing to heat, these pointers from the experts at Mr. Appliance should help you pinpoint what’s wrong and help you resolve the issue.

Reason #1: Your Ignitor Has a Defect (for Gas)

The ignitor’s function is to generate heat for your oven. Unfortunately, this oven part does not die quietly. When an ignitor is faulty, it explodes slightly once it starts, creating a booming sound. Hearing this noise could mean that it’s time to clean your ignitor.

The other noise you may hear is a constant clicking, which means that the ignitor is trying to light but cannot. Gas accumulates during these clicks, so take care not to let it continue for too long. If you hear the clicking sound, it’s time to have your ignitor replaced.

How to Fix an Ignitor Defect

It can be challenging to clean an ignitor because it can be too full of crud to clean well without causing further damage. The steps to clean it, however, are fairly easy:

Use your unit’s instruction manual to find your ignitor.
Scrub the ignitor with a toothbrush and blow away any residual dust or debris.

Replacing an ignitor in a gas oven is more involved, and you want to make sure it’s properly installed to ensure safe operation. A service professional will take the following steps to ensure your ignitor works properly after installation:

Unplug your oven.
Remove the racks and base plate screws.
Extract the mount from the ignitor as well as the two wires behind the mount.
Install the new part according to your appliance’s instruction manual.
Reassemble your oven and test it to ensure it’s working properly.

Reason #2: Your Heating Element (or Baking Coil) is Malfunctioning (for Electric)

To assess its condition, turn on the oven and examine your baking coil closely. Has the coil ceased being orange while your oven is on? Do you notice a buildup of dirt in your oven or on the coil itself? Also, take a look at your electric bill. Is it higher than it would normally be? If your answer to these questions is yes, you may need to replace your heating element due to inefficient heating.

How to Fix a Malfunctioning Heating Element

To fix the heating element in an electric oven, follow these steps:

Find the appropriate replacement coil based on the model number of your appliance.
Turn off the oven by unplugging it.
Remove your oven racks and the heating element’s mounting plate.
Use a voltage tester to test the wires connected to the coil. Make sure there is no voltage. If there is, you’ll need to turn off the breaker for your oven before continuing.
Uninstall the heating element and connect the new one by using the wire connectors to slip it into place. Then plug the oven back in to reconnect the power.
Test the new baking coil by turning on the oven. If the coil turns bright orange and remains that way, you have fixed your problem.

Reason #3: Your Oven Temperature Sensor or Bulb is Defective (for Electric)

Your temperature sensor could be the cause of your oven not heating troubles, especially if your oven is not baking food completely or is taking longer than usual to bake.

How to Fix a Defective Oven Temperature Sensor or Bulb

The fix for this problem varies depending on the type and brand of your oven. Reference your appliance’s instruction manual to find the temperature sensor. Then use the manual’s instructions to calibrate your thermostat. This should reset your oven’s heat settings back to normal. If this solution doesn’t resolve the problem, contact your local Mr Appliance for service.

Reason #4: Your Thermostat or Selector Switch Has a Malfunction

Your oven’s thermostat and selector switch allow you to switch back and forth between the bake and broil settings. If you notice your oven not heating up, it may warrant examining these parts to ensure they are working properly. Start by setting your oven to bake. Check the oven coil at the bottom of the oven and make sure it is bright orange. If the bottom bake coil seems to be working fine, switch your oven to broil, Check to see if the coil at the top of the oven turns orange. If the coil at the top does not heat up and turn orange, then it could be due to a faulty thermostat or selector switch.

How to Fix a Malfunctioning Thermostat or Selector Switch

To remedy this issue, extensive testing of your oven’s wiring is necessary. This requires carefully following the wiring diagramming instructions in your appliance manual. Therefore, we recommend contacting an appliance professional to ensure a safe and stress-free repair.

Reason #5: Your Oven’s Temperature Settings Need to be Calibrated

If your oven’s thermostat is working fine, but it is still not heating as it should, you may need to calibrate your oven so that the temperature settings are correct.

How to Fix Your Oven’s Temperature Settings

Your appliance’s instruction manual will have directions specific to calibrating your particular oven. Use your owner’s manual to find and adjust the calibration dial on your appliance.

Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly

An oven that doesn’t work properly is more than an inconvenience; it can shut down your entire kitchen. Contact the professionals at your local Mr. Appliance for reliable appliance repair services that will get your oven and kitchen up and running smoothly again.

We Service the Following Brands

Frigidaire
Samsung
Kenmore
Samsung
Whirlpool
LG

FAQ About an Oven That Won’t Heat Up

Why is my oven not heating up but the stove works?

The answer to this question varies depending on whether you own a gas or electric oven.

Electric ovens: You could have a blown fuse or a control board issue.
Gas ovens: There could be a problem with your gas line.

Either instance signals a more serious issue with your oven that would be best handled by a qualified appliance professional.

Is it cheaper to fix an oven or buy a new one?

It depends on the age and condition of your current appliance, and how often you use your oven. If your current oven is over 15 years old and you use it every day, you may want to consider a replacement. However, before purchasing a new oven, when you factor in delivery and installation costs into the purchase price, you may end up paying more to buy a new oven than it would to simply fix your current model. While a repair is usually the cheaper option, it often depends on which part needs to be replaced and how often your oven needs service. Contact your local Mr. Appliance to check the condition of your current appliance and advise you on the best option.