How to Fix an Oven Not Heating

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D3 Appliance
October 4, 2021
Oven Repair

If your oven doesn’t work, this guide will help you find the cause of the problem so you can fix it.

Let’s get straight into it.

Please note that the first three steps in our guide only apply to gas ovens. If you have an electric oven, skip to step 4.

Step 1 – Check the Igniter

The igniter helps draw the electrical current through the safety valve in your gas oven so it can open and then ignites the gas in the oven so it can heat. If it becomes faulty, your oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to check the igniter:

  1. Open your oven door and locate the igniter – make sure you can see it.
  2. Attempt to turn your oven on, and check if the igniter glows for 90+ seconds without the gas igniting. If this occurs, the igniter isn’t opening the valve, so the igniter and/or the valve will need to be replaced.
  3. If the igniter doesn’t glow at all, you will need to turn your oven and gas supply off and check the igniter with a multimeter.
  4. If the test shows the igniter doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it is working correctly, move on to the next step.
  5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Check the Bake or Broil Spark Electrode

The spark electrode helps ignite the bake or broil burner. When it becomes faulty, your oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to check the bake or broil spark electrode.

  1. Turn the oven and gas supply off.
  2. Locate the spark electrode – you can find it next to the burner.
  3. First, inspect the electrode assembly for any signs of cracks in the porcelain housing or the electrode tip. If you find any damage, you’ll need to replace the electrode.
  4. If you don’t find any damage, remove the spark electrode and check it with a multimeter for continuity.
  5. If it passes the multimeter test, you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t pass the test, you will need to replace it.
  6. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Check the Safety Valve

The next step in our guide for how to fix an oven not heating is to check the safety valve. The purpose of the safety valve is to open and supply gas to the burner. If it becomes faulty, your oven won’t heat.

To check the safety valve:

  1. Turn the power and gas off to your oven.
  2. Locate the safety valve.
  3. Remove the safety valve and check it with a multimeter for continuity.
  4. If it passes the multimeter test, you can move on to step 5. If it doesn’t pass the test, you will need to replace it.
  5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to step 5.

Step 4 – Check the Bake Element

The main cause of your oven not heating in an electric oven is a faulty element. When this occurs, you won’t be able to use your oven at all.

Here’s how to check the bake element:

  1. Turn the oven on to bake.
  2. Check the element to see if it glows red hot (you might need to remove the element cover if your oven has one).
  3. If the element hasn’t heated up at all, it is faulty and will need to be replaced. If it has heated up but not to the correct temperature, you will need to check it with a multimeter.
  4. To check the element, turn the oven off and inspect the element for any signs of damage, such as holes or blisters. If damaged, the element should be replaced. If not damaged, use your multimeter to check it for continuity.
  5. If it passes the multimeter test, you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t pass the test, you will need to replace it.
  6. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 5 – Check the Power

Electric ovens require 240 volts of alternating current to operate correctly, and gas ovens require 120 volts. If your oven isn’t getting the correct amount of current, your oven might not turn on at all.

Here’s how to check the power supply:

  1. Make sure that the problem isn’t the power socket by trying to power your oven in a different socket (if possible).
  2. Check the electrical outlet with a multimeter to ensure it has the correct voltage. If the outlet is fine, move on to the next step. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to replace the outlet.
  3. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Check the Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse helps to prevent your oven from overheating. When the fuse trips or blows, the oven might turn off even when it shouldn’t.

To check the thermal fuse, you need to:

  1. Turn the power to your oven off.
  2. Locate the thermal fuse (check your manual if necessary).
  3. Remove the fuse and check it with a multimeter for continuity.
  4. If it passes the multimeter test, you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t pass the test, you will need to replace it.
  5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 7 – Check the Wires

If your oven isn’t heating, it could be caused by one or more of the wires that supply power to the element or igniter being burnt out. This happens when the wires get too close to the heat.

To inspect the wires, you need to:

  1. Carefully inspect all the wires that are connected to the element or igniter.
  2. If any of them are burnt out or damaged, they will need to be repaired or replaced. If the wires are fine, move on to the next step.
  3. Once repaired or replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 8 – Replace the Control Board

Your final option is to replace the oven control board. It is difficult to test, so your only option is to replace the board and then see if this solves the problem. However, you may decide at this point that buying a new oven is a less risky option.

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