Whirlpool Oven Troubleshooting Guide

If your Whirlpool oven has been acting up—or stopped working altogether—then your first inclination may be to contact a talented appliance repair professional. While in some instances this might be necessary, you can fix most problems with your Whirlpool oven yourself, and it can also be surprisingly inexpensive, at least compared to buying a brand-new oven. 

So, fret not. If you’re having problems with your Whirlpool oven, this helpful guide will assist you in fixing the most common, easily solvable issues. It will be suitable for the vast majority of models, including:

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Won’t Turn On

If your Whirlpool oven won’t turn on, there are a few potential causes. Starting with the easiest:

Power source

Start by checking to make sure the plug did not somehow come loose, and if that’s not the case, check that a fuse hasn’t blown or a circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. 

Touch panel

If some of the buttons on your touch panel aren’t working, that could indicate that it is faulty and will need to be replaced. If the touch panel isn’t working at all, thus preventing you from turning on the oven, that might indicate that your control panel isn’t working.

Control board

The control board sends voltage to your oven’s various elements, so if it’s not working, nothing else will work.Check it for signs of damage, and barring that, a multimeter will let you know if it’s getting any continuity. 

Not Heating Properly

If your oven isn’t heating, there are a few potential causes, depending on whether you have a gas or electric oven. These include:

Gas supply

Before embarking on this or any other steps, unplug your oven from the power or turn off the corresponding circuit breaker. To double-check whether the gas supply is working, the best place to start is with the valve near the oven. Be sure that it’s set to the “on” position. If your oven has a stovetop, then you can turn that on, and if the burners are working, it indicates that the gas supply to the oven is working as well.

Ignitor

The ignitor is what “clicks” to ignite the gas. If you don’t hear a click, that indicates the ignitor isn’t working. If you have a multimeter, you can use it to test whether the ignitor has voltage. If it doesn’t, there’s a good chance it will need to be replaced. 

Bake element

The bake element is what turns red hot whenever you turn on your oven. If it doesn’t turn hot, the oven doesn’t heat. Sometimes, baking elements can burn out, so check yours for any signs of wear and tear or blemishes. If you check it with a multimeter and it shows no signs of continuity, it most likely needs to be replaced. 

Control board

If you notice any signs of damage or scorch marks, there’s a possibility that it has shorted out and will need to be replaced.

Baking is Uneven

If the food in the oven is coming out unevenly cooked or not cooked enough, there are a few simple things you can check:

Oven racks

Though it might sound obvious, double-check that your oven racks are in the correct position according to the recipe’s specifications. Sometimes, the middle rack isn’t the best. 

Convection fan

If you have a Whirlpool convection oven, a faulty fan could be the source of uneven cooking. If the fans spin while the oven is on, it can be good to check them. The fan will be behind a few panels that you will need to unscrew. Spin the fans manually and check to make sure they spin freely. If not, they might need to be replaced, but they might also be obstructed by food particles. 

Temperature sensor

If your oven’s sensor isn’t working correctly, the internal temperature won’t match what you’ve set the oven to, and food will be under or overcooked as a result. A separate oven thermometer will let you test your oven’s actual temperature against the oven setting. 

Sensor recalibration

Many Whirlpool ovens allow you to recalibrate the sensor. Start by holding down the “Bake” button for a few seconds until the display shows “CAL” or “0.” Then, use the arrow keys or temperature buttons to adjust the temperature up or down in 5°F increments. So, if the thermometer reads 325°F when set to 350°F, increase the calibration by +25°F.

The Door Doesn’t Seal Properly

If your Whirlpool oven door isn’t shutting completely, here are a few things to take a look at:

Hinges

If the hinges have become misaligned, potentially due to the screws coming loose, then the door won’t close properly. Check to make sure the screws are tight and that the hinges are properly aligned. If they are bent or damaged, you can easily replace them. 

Gasket

This part completes the seal between the oven and the door, so if it has gotten covered in dirt and grime over the years, that can ruin the seal and prevent the door from properly sealing. First, try cleaning it with some soap and water, and if it appears damaged or deformed, simply replace it. 

The Light Inside the Oven Went Out

If the bulb in your Whirlpool oven has stopped working, it’s either due to the lightbulb itself going out or the socket that it’s plugged into. As with every other troubleshooting issue, start by unplugging the oven. 

Bulb

If the bulb has gone out, replacing it is fairly simple. You should be able to find a replacement for your specific Whirlpool model, and then simply access its compartment and replace the bulb. 

Socket

If a replacement bulb still doesn’t work, then that could indicate an issue with the socket. Start by checking it for damage, and if it shows any signs, it will need to be replaced. Testing the socket with a multimeter can also indicate whether it’s receiving power. If it’s not, that might indicate a problem with the control board or the socket itself may need to be replaced.