When it’s time to cook dinner or bake an enticing dessert for your family, a Maytag oven that’s working perfectly will make your cooking easy and enjoyable. But what if your oven suddenly doesn’t heat and you risk not getting that dish ready on time? You’ll have to quickly figure out why your oven isn’t heating.
One of these 11 problems could be the reason your Maytag oven isn’t heating:
- A lower-voltage wall outlet.
- The oven control is set incorrectly.
- The ‘Control Lock’ function is on.
- ‘Delay Start’ is set.
- The range is in ‘Sabbath Mode.’
- The range is in ‘Demo Mode.’
- The temperature sensor is faulty.
- The oven igniter is bad.
- The bake element is damaged.
- The thermal fuse has shorted.
- The control board is malfunctioning.
This article is a guide to resolving Maytag oven heating problems. You’ll find step-by-step solutions to oven issues you can fix on your own and precise recommendations on when to call a professional. Let’s get started!
A Lower-Voltage Wall Outlet
If you have an electric Maytag oven or range, it should be plugged into a 240V wall outlet. The range may turn on if a 120V outlet is used, but the oven heating functions will not work. A 120V power source is only used with electric Maytag ranges or ovens in sales stores when in ‘Demo Mode’. In this mode, the oven heating elements don’t heat up.
So, if your Maytag oven turns on but will not heat, test the wall outlet for a lower voltage.
How To Fix
To test a wall outlet for voltage, you’ll need to use a multimeter and leave the outlet charged. For this reason, we recommend hiring a trained electrician to avoid electrocution accidents. If you feel up to the task, these are the steps for testing a wall outlet for voltage:
- Set the multimeter to the voltage range (AC).
- Insert the black probe of the multimeter to the ‘Neutral’ (Right) prong of the wall outlet.
- Insert the multimeter’s red probe to the ‘Hot’ (Left) prong of the wall outlet.
- Check the multimeter reading. It should show a value close to 240V. A value around 110/120V points to a lower voltage for your Maytag oven or range. Call a trained electrician to install a 240V wall outlet for your appliance.
This AMRE Supply video will help you safely test a wall outlet for voltage:
Oven Control Is Set Incorrectly
To get your Maytag oven to start heating, your unit has to be set to a specific function, usually bake or broil. If you hit the start button without the correct setting, your oven will not heat.
How To Fix
Check the “Electronic Oven Controls” section in your User Guide or use your model number to access Maytag oven Manuals and Literature for your unit. Generally, though, here’s how to set the bake and broil functions:
Setting the Maytag Oven Bake Function
- Select BAKE on the control panel.
- Use the number pads to select your desired temperature (between 170°F & 500°F / 75°C & 260°C). The temperature increases by 5°F / 1°C.
- Hit the START button.
Setting the Maytag Oven Broil Function
- Select BROIL on the control panel.
- Set the broiling temperature by selecting number ‘3’ for LOW (400°F / 204°C), number ‘2’ for MEDIUM (450°F / 232°C), or number ‘1’ for HIGH (500°F / 260°C).
- Press the START pad.
Note that your oven door should be left at the broiling position (open 6″ / 15cm) when using the broiling function.
The ‘Control Lock’ Function Is On
On Maytag ovens, the ‘Control Lock’ function is included to help you lock out the oven when not in use or prevent children from accessing the oven controls. When the ‘Control Lock’ function is activated, no keys will respond to touch, which is why you’ll report your oven as not heating. You’ll need first to deactivate ‘Control Lock.’
How To Fix
Deactivating the Maytag oven ‘Control Lock’ follows the same two simple steps as activating the function. Here’s how:
- Ensure the oven and timer are off.
- Press the ‘Control Lock’ pad and hold it for 3 seconds. The oven will beep once the function is deactivated, and “Control Unlocked” will display.
The control keys used for the ‘Control Lock’ function may vary with models. Check your model’s User Manual to be sure.
‘Delay Start’ Is Set
‘Delay Start’ is a Maytag oven function that sets the cooking start time when you don’t need to cook your food immediately. The cooking starts at the specified time, and the oven shuts off when the cycle is complete.
This works when you need to go out but want to find your food cooking or already cooked when you get home. However, delayed cooking should not be used with dishes that require preheating, like bread and cakes.
When delayed cooking is set and another oven user tries to use the oven, the oven will not heat until the function is canceled.
How To Fix
When a delayed cooking cycle has been set, ‘DELAY’ appears on display. Press the CANCEL button to cancel a delayed cooking cycle on a Maytag oven. Any set cooking cycles will be canceled, and the current time will be displayed.
The Range Is in ‘Sabbath Mode’
The ‘Sabbath Mode’ is a Maytag oven function that, when set, keeps your unit on in the bake setting until it is canceled.
When your oven is in the ‘Sabbath Mode’, other functions do not work, and the heating elements won’t turn on immediately. This is why you’ll get the impression that your oven isn’t heating.
You can tell if your oven is in ‘Sabbath Mode’ if it displays ‘Sabbath’, ‘Sab’, ‘5Ab’, or ‘5A6’. Deactivating ‘Sabbath Mode’ will get your oven back to normal operation.
How To Fix
The way to cancel ‘Sabbath Mode’ on your oven will vary between models. Here are 3 common options:
- Press the CANCEL button.
- Hold down the screen for 3 seconds.
- Follow these steps:
- Open the oven door.
- Tab 7-8-9-6.
- Choose ‘SABBATH OFF.’
- Hit ‘START’ to save the changes.
- Close the oven door.
Check your model’s User Manual to confirm what works for your oven.
The Range Is in ‘Demo Mode’
The ‘Demo Mode’ on your Maytag oven is used for sales display. The oven is connected to a 120V power source so potential buyers can test the features on the control panel. The heating elements do not turn on when your oven is in ‘Demo Mode.’
If you are just starting to use your Maytag oven, the oven may still be set on the ‘Demo Mode’, which is why it won’t heat. Deactivate ‘Demo Mode’ to get your appliance working.
How To Fix
To exit ‘Demo Mode’ on your Maytag oven:
- Tap the Clock/Settings pad until ‘Demo Mode’ is displayed.
- Press the number ‘1’ (‘3’ in some models) and adjust the control settings.
- Press START or CANCEL to save the settings and exit.
If you have a Maytag Smart Appliance Model (Connected Model):
- Go to the Maytag App and choose ‘TRY THE PRODUCT.’
- Scroll through the options and choose ‘EXPLORE.’
- Choose ‘TOOLS.’
- Tap the ‘STORE DEMO MODE’ option.
- Select ‘OFF.’
- Hit ‘YES’ to confirm.
A Faulty Temperature Sensor
The oven temperature sensor is a thin metal tube at the top of the oven interior. This component communicates the temperature in the oven cavity to the control board. In that way, the control board can regulate the oven cycles to maintain the set temperature.
If the temperature sensor in your Maytag oven is faulty, it will give wrong temperature signals to the control board, which could mean not starting the heating cycle.
How To Fix
There are some things you can check to determine if the temperature sensor on your Maytag oven is faulty before replacing it:
- Check if the oven temperature is inaccurate by more than 50°F (10°C).
- Check if the temperature sensor has moved from its position as this could alter temperature readings. The sensor should sit at a 90° angle to the rear oven wall.
- Test the sensor for resistance. If it doesn’t show any resistance, it’s faulty.
If these issues don’t seem to explain or resolve the temperature issue, proceed to replace the temperature sensor following these steps:
- Disconnect power to the oven and remove the power cord.
- Unscrew the panel at the back of the range and set it aside.
- Find the wire that goes to the sensor and disconnect it from the wire harness.
- Loosen the sensor’s mounting screw and pull the rod out.
- Send the new sensor into the oven and tighten the mounting screw.
- Connect the sensor wire to the harness.
- Put the back panel in its place and replace the screws.
- Reconnect the power to the oven and check if it starts heating.
A Bad Oven Igniter
The igniter is the part in your Maytag oven that starts the burner to heat your oven. If the igniter has issues, it will not heat enough. As a result, the igniter will not signal the gas valve to open and send gas to the burners so they can turn on. You’ll need to replace the igniter in this case.
How To Fix
Check first if the igniter glows when the oven is turned on. You’ll find the igniter at the back of the oven, next to the burner tubes. If the igniter does not glow, it is either not heating or not heating enough to light the burners.
Replace the igniter following these steps:
- Switch off the gas and electricity to the oven and unplug the power cable.
- Pull the oven from the wall to make room for working.
- Remove the oven’s back panel.
- Find the igniter connection wire and disconnect it from the harness by pressing the two tabs on each side. Pass the wire end attached to the igniter through the passage hole into the oven.
- From the front, remove the oven door and take out the racks.
- Unscrew the oven bottom panel to access the burner area.
- Remove the screws holding the igniter and pull it out.
- Place the new igniter where you removed the old one and tighten the screws. Pass the igniter connection wires through the passage hole to the back.
- Replace the bottom panel and put the rack back into the oven. Fix the oven door.
- From the back, reconnect the igniter wire to the harness and screw back the rear panel.
- Turn on the power and gas and test the oven by setting it to heat.
This AppliancePartsPro video is a step-by-step demonstration of how to replace a gas oven igniter:
A Damaged Bake Element
The bake element in your Maytag oven is used in all cooking functions except the broil function. When turned on, the oven bake element will heat to 250°F-375°F (121°C-190°C) for ideal baking or roast results.
If you have set your oven to bake or roast, but the bake element is not glowing red, and the oven does not heat up, the element is damaged and requires replacement.
How To Fix
You can easily replace a damaged Maytag bake element by following these steps:
- Shut off the oven power supply.
- Open the oven and take out the oven racks.
- Loosen the mounting screws to remove the bake element.
- Slightly pull the element towards you to reveal the connection wires and disconnect. Ensure the wires don’t slide back to the rear.
- Fix the connection wires to the new bake element and carefully push the connection wires to the oven rear.
- Tighten the bake element mounting screws.
- Place back the oven racks and close the door.
- Restore the power supply to the oven and test if the bake element heats and glows when heated.
This Repair Clinic video demonstrates the steps for replacing a Maytag wall oven bake element:
A Shorted Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse in your Maytag oven is meant to stop oven current flow should your oven overheat. But a thermal fuse can short or trip due to the same high temperature it tries to prevent.
A tripped thermal fuse will not let the oven heat. A shortened fuse may continuously signal that the oven is overheated, and the heat cycle will not start. In both cases, the thermal fuse needs to be replaced.
How To Fix
Follow these steps to replace a shorted Maytag oven thermal fuse:
- Turn off the range or oven.
- Open the back part of the oven by unscrewing the cover panel.
- Disconnect the wires on the fuse.
- Remove the screw fastening the thermal fuse to the oven assembly.
- Take the new thermal fuse and place it where the old one was. Tighten the securing screw.
- Reconnect the fuse wires.
- Replace the back panel.
- Power the range and test if your oven resumes normal operation.
You can see what a thermal fuse looks like and how to perform these steps in this AppliancePartsPros video:
A Malfunctioning Oven Control Board
If the timing and other functions on your Maytag oven control board work but the oven doesn’t heat, the control board could be malfunctioning.
The oven control board is the heart of your oven and controls the functioning of all the components. It can be hard to diagnose a malfunctioning oven control board if you lack training on oven functioning, though.
Often, a bad Maytag oven control board comes with an F (and a number) error code. All in all, a malfunctioning control board will need to be replaced.
How To Fix
Before deciding your Maytag oven needs replacement, try resetting your oven. Resetting the oven is especially recommended if your oven is not heating and has a displayed error code, or the control panel works but not the heating functions.
Follow these steps to reset your Maytag oven:
- Switch off power to the unit at the circuit breaker and leave it off for one minute.
- Turn the power on at the circuit breaker and turn on the oven.
- Observe the oven for a minute to see if the error code has disappeared. If it disappears, test the oven functions.
If resetting does not resolve the issue, proceed to replace the control board using these steps:
- Switch off the range and unplug the power cord.
- Remove the control panel back cover and set it aside.
- Pull out the red and white harness plugs connecting the control board to the assembly.
- Take out the four screws holding the control board and remove it. Ensure you already have the replacement control board, which you can order from maytag replacement parts.
- Place the new control board where the old one was and replace the screws to secure it.
- Insert the red and white harness plugs.
- Replace the back cover.
- Power the oven and check to see that all the oven functions now work.
This AppliancePartsPros.com YouTube video serves as a visual demonstration of the process:
Remember that any time you are not sure you can successfully troubleshoot or replace a Maytag oven component, you should seek help from a trained oven technician. You can also call for help at 1-800-253-1301. Alternatively, Schedule Service and let Maytag connect you to an expert near you.