Ovens fail in predictable ways, and the symptom usually tells you which part is involved. An oven with no heat at all is a different problem from one that runs cold or cooks unevenly.
This guide covers electric and gas ovens, wall ovens and the oven section of a range.
No heat at all
- Bake element (electric). Look for a break, blister or burnt spot on the lower element. A broken element is the most common electric-oven fault.
- Igniter (gas). The igniter glows but has weakened with age and no longer draws enough current to open the gas valve, so the oven never lights or takes minutes to light.
- Thermal fuse. Often blows after a self-clean cycle and cuts power to the heating circuit.
- Control board relay. The board never switches the element or igniter on.
Runs cold or takes forever to preheat
- Temperature sensor. The probe inside the cavity drifts and the oven under- or over-shoots. An oven thermometer confirms it.
- Calibration. Many ovens can be offset in the settings menu, but a large error usually means the sensor.
- Weak igniter. On gas ovens a slow light means the oven spends much of the cycle waiting to ignite.
Uneven cooking
- Partly failed element or broil element. One side of the cavity gets more heat.
- Convection fan. If the fan has stopped, convection modes cook unevenly.
- Door gasket. A damaged seal lets heat escape at one corner and the oven cycles constantly.
What you can check
- Confirm the oven is not in delay-start, Sabbath or demo mode.
- On an electric oven, check both breakers of the 240-volt circuit.
- Put an oven thermometer in the centre and compare it with the set temperature after 20 minutes.
- Look at the bake element with the oven off and cool. Do not touch a gas igniter.
When to call a technician
Call when the element shows damage, the gas oven takes more than a minute to light, the thermometer is more than 25 degrees off, or the oven stopped working after a self-clean cycle. Elements, igniters, sensors and fuses are routine repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about this problem.
Why did my oven stop working after self-clean?
Self-clean runs far hotter than cooking. It often blows the thermal fuse or damages the door lock or control board. These are repairable.
Can an oven be recalibrated?
Many can be offset by a few degrees in the settings. If it is far off, the temperature sensor is usually the cause and is replaceable.
How much does an oven repair cost?
Elements, igniters and sensors are modest repairs. Our $75 diagnostic fee covers the inspection and diagnosis and is applied toward the approved repair.
Related services
Need a hand with it? Alliance Appliance Services diagnoses first and explains the repair before any work starts. Call (571) 303-8548 or request a repair online. We serve Springfield, Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities.