Oster toasters are excellent because they have multiple cooking functions, including toasting, broiling, baking, and warming. A 2019/2021 Consumer Reports survey found that Oster toaster ovens were considered a reliable brand with a ‘good’ rating for consumer satisfaction. But Oster toaster ovens can also have issues, like not heating at all.
Here are the top 4 reasons your Oster toaster oven is not heating:
- The oven has power issues.
- Time and temperature knobs aren’t set.
- The oven’s main switch is damaged.
- There are burnt heating elements.
This article explains the causes of an Oster toaster oven not heating and offers step-by-step solutions on how you can resolve these issues. Let’s get started!
The Oven Has Power Issues
The number one reason your Oster toaster oven may not heat is that there’s no power running into the appliance. This could be caused by:
- A turned-off switch
- A loose power cable
- A tripped circuit control
- A dead wall outlet
How To Fix Oster Toaster Oven Power Issues
Depending on which issue is causing your Oster toaster oven not to heat, you can troubleshoot your appliance following these steps:
- Ensure the toaster oven power switch is turned on. If it is, proceed to the next step.
- Check the toaster oven power cable to ensure it’s not loose. Plug the cable firmly if it’s not completely plugged in. If the cable is plugged in, go to the next step.
- Open the circuit breaker housing and check if the switch supplying power to the Oster toaster oven is turned off (facing downwards). If it is, turn the switch back on and test if the toaster oven works. If the circuit breaker switch is on, test the wall outlet.
- Turn the wall outlet switch off, unplug the toaster oven cable, and plug another appliance into the wall outlet to see if it runs. If the other appliance doesn’t work, the wall outlet is the issue. In that case, call in a trained electrician for help.
Time and Temperature Knobs Aren’t Set
To get your Oster toaster oven heating, you need to set it properly. Specifically, you should ensure the timer and temperature knobs are set to the desired position before the Start button is pressed. Otherwise, the toaster oven won’t heat.
How To Set Oster Toaster Oven Time and Temperature Knobs
The time and temperature settings should be part of the “Using Your Toaster Oven” procedures per your manual. You need to follow the setting procedure depending on the function you want: Toast, Broil, Bake, Warm, or other options available for your model.
To set the time and temperature, follow these steps:
- Select the function you want using the Function knob. Let’s use the ‘Bake’ function in this case.
- Set the temperature by turning the ‘Temperature’ knob. For the Bake option, the temperature can be set between 150°F to 450°F (65°C to 232°C). The temperature increases or decreases by 5°F (1°C).
- Select the time by turning the ‘Time’ knob to increase or decrease the baking time. The maximum time you can select for the Bake function is 1 hour (60 min).
- Hit the Start/Cancel button to start the toaster oven.
As I mentioned, the above steps are for the ‘Bake’ function. If you’re using other functions, the steps may differ slightly.
Note: For the Toast function, the temperature isn’t adjustable, and time is automatically selected once you choose the function ‘Shade.’
The Oven’s Main Switch Is Damaged
The toaster oven main switch activates the ‘on’ and ‘off’ solenoid switch, which regulates the power running into the toaster oven heating element. A faulty toaster main switch is a common issue in toaster ovens. Luckily, a nonfunctional toaster oven main switch can easily be corrected with cleaning.
To do this:
- Check the contact points of the switch for clogging and staining. Dirt reduces conductivity on the contact points.
- Use sandpaper to rid the contact points of dirt.
- Use an electrical contact spray cleaner or alcohol on a cotton swab to remove any remaining dirt.
If any breakage is visible on the contact points or cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue, the main switch is damaged and should be replaced.
How To Replace a Toaster Oven Main Switch
Follow these steps to replace a damaged Oster toaster oven main switch:
- Disconnect the power cord.
- Remove the screws that hold the side panel and remove it.
- Detach the rivets, screws, or clips that hold the main switch to the chassis and pull the switch out.
- Place the new switch in place and replace the screws to secure it.
- Replace the side panel.
- Power the toaster oven and check if it now heats up.
There Are Burnt Heating Elements
Heating elements are high-resistant wires that heat up to toast your bread for a few minutes or bake food for about an hour. Most toaster ovens have a bake heating element at the bottom and a broil element on top. Heating elements will usually glow when the toaster oven is on.
A short circuit can damage the heating elements. A single burning element can also get damaged due to wear from years of use. You may notice signs like a break or blisters if a heating element is damaged.
Unfortunately, if this is your issue, you have no choice but to replace your burnt heating element/s.
How To Replace Burnt Toaster Oven Heating Elements
To replace a damaged toaster oven heating element:
- Switch off the power to the toaster oven.
- Unscrew the heating element from the support brackets. If the heating element doesn’t have any signs of damage, test it for continuity with a multimeter.
- Replace the damaged heating element with one of the same type and rating and screw it onto the brackets. You can contact Oster support or their recommended replacement partner to get the correct heating element.
- Power the toaster oven and test if it’s heating.
If your Oster oven doesn’t resume heating after troubleshooting the above issues, get the appliance checked for a faulty thermal fuse or a defective solenoid by contacting Oster Support or hiring a professional oven technician.