An oven that won’t heat, or takes an hour to preheat, usually has one of a handful of causes. Start with the quick checks below. They solve more “broken” ovens than you’d think. Then use the symptoms to narrow down the part that has failed.
Smell gas? Don’t light the oven or flip any switches. Leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Quick Checks for Any Oven
- Power. Is the display on? An electric oven runs on a double breaker. If one half trips, the clock can work while the oven doesn’t heat. Switch the breaker fully off and back on. A gas range needs to be plugged in for the igniter and controls.
- Settings. Make sure the oven isn’t in delay-start, timed-cook, Sabbath or demo mode, and that a control lock isn’t on. After a power outage, some ovens won’t heat until the clock is set.
- Gas supply. Do the cooktop burners light? If they don’t either, the gas valve to the range may be closed or there’s a supply problem.
- Self-clean. Did the oven stop working right after a self-clean cycle? That points to a blown thermal fuse or a control fault. Self-clean is the most common trigger.
Electric Oven Not Heating
Bake element
The most common cause. Turn the oven to bake and look at the bottom element after a few minutes: it should glow red. A blister, a break or a burnt spot means it has failed, but an element can also fail with no visible damage. Many ovens have a hidden element under the floor panel, which is harder to see.
Broil works, bake doesn’t (or the reverse)
If only one element heats, that element or its wiring is usually the problem. If the oven heats only on broil, food will burn on top and stay raw underneath.
Temperature sensor
A faulty sensor makes the oven heat too little or too much, or shows an error code. A technician tests it with a meter.
Thermal fuse, relay or control board
If neither element heats and the power is fine, a thermal fuse, a relay on the control board, or the control itself may have failed.
Gas Oven Not Heating
Weak igniter
By far the most common gas oven fault. Look through the broiler drawer or the bottom panel while the oven tries to light. If the igniter glows orange but the burner never lights, or lights only after a minute or more, the igniter is too weak to open the gas valve. It looks like it works, but it needs to be replaced.
No glow at all
The igniter, its wiring or the control may have failed.
Gas safety valve and sensor
Less often, the safety valve or the temperature sensor is the cause. Gas valve work is a technician job.
Oven Heats but Takes Too Long
- A gas igniter that’s getting weak is the classic cause of slow preheating.
- On an electric oven, one element may have failed while the other still works.
- A worn door gasket lets heat escape. Look for gaps, tears or a door that doesn’t close tightly.
- A sensor that reads wrong can make the oven stop heating too early.
An inexpensive oven thermometer on the middle rack tells you if the real temperature matches the display.
When to Call a Technician
Element replacement can look like a DIY job, but the oven must be disconnected from power, and the wiring and terminals often need attention too. Anything involving gas, the control board or the wiring should be done by a technician. Before you call, write down the model number, which is usually on the frame inside the door or on the storage drawer, and the exact symptom. If you want to know what affects the bill, see our guide to oven repair costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my oven not heating but the stove top works?
The cooktop and oven have separate parts. On electric ranges it’s usually the bake element, sensor or control. On gas ranges, usually the oven igniter.
Why does my gas oven take so long to preheat?
Most often a weak igniter. It still glows but opens the gas valve slowly or not at all.
Can a power outage stop my oven from heating?
Yes. Some ovens need the clock to be set after an outage, and a surge can trip a breaker or damage the control.
Is it safe to use an oven that heats unevenly?
On an electric oven it’s not a safety issue, but it usually means a failing element or sensor, so have it checked. On a gas oven with delayed ignition, stop using it and have it checked.
Book Oven Repair
Our certified technicians repair gas and electric ovens, ranges and wall ovens in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Dixon, Vacaville, Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova, with same-day service available. See all our appliance repair services, call (510) 677-7166 or book online. The service call is $80.
