Your oven is not fully closing, most probably because weak springs are the most common. To fix this, fold two washcloths in half twice and place them on both sides of the hinges. Gently push the door against the washcloths and repeat three times, increasing pressure. Remove the washcloths and close the door. I’ve listed other possible solutions in this guide if this doesn’t work.
Having used various ovens over the last three decades, I understand how frustrating it is when an oven doesn’t close fully. Nothing messes up your recipe more than an oven that won’t close fully. This is because it won’t heat up to the right temperature, wastes energy, and can damage the stove.
This guide will identify potential causes for your oven not closing fully. To help you rectify the issue, I will provide quick and simple fixes that you can implement to get your oven to close fully.
Quick Fix for Oven Not Closing Fully
After using your oven for a while, the springs lose their ability to shut the oven door. This quick DIY helps solve this problem:
- Fold two washcloths in half, and fold them again.
- Place both washcloths on your oven hinges’ right and left sides.
- Use one hand to push the oven door against the washcloths gently. Repeat this motion thrice, with each push slightly further than the last.
- Do not force the oven door to close with the washcloths in it.
- Pull the door open, remove the washcloths, and close.
- If the oven still doesn’t close fully, repeat the process with slightly more force before moving to other solutions listed below.
Check out the YouTubethe video below from the Fast Fixes Channel for what you should do with the table clothes.
Reasons Why Your Oven is Not Closing Fully
- Hinges-related problems
- An oven that’s not level
- Oven racks not properly aligned properly
- Dirty oven door, seal, and liner
- Malfunctioning oven door lock
- Gasket-related problems
- Warped oven door
Now that we know why your oven door may not be closing fully let’s look at some solutions:
Inspect the Hinges
The oven door’s hinges will not operate smoothly and to their full range of motion if there is gunk buildup, causing the door not to close completely. The simple solution is to clean the hinges.
Here are a few things to remember when cleaning the hinges of an oven door:
- Remove the door from the oven to access the hinges and their ports.
- As you clean the hinges, eliminate all the gunk from the locking mechanism.
- Extract as much greasy debris as you can from the springs of the hinges.
- Remember to clean the ports on the oven where you insert the hinges when assembling the door.
Replace the Bad Hinges
The most prevalent problems that can affect the hinges of an oven are rust, corrosion, or failed springs. The metal hinges are unlikely to warp unless the oven or its door has experienced significant damage. Nonetheless, the hinge assembly may malfunction.
The oven usually has hinges at the door’s two lower ends, with the assembly on the sides. However, certain ovens have hinge assemblies that run throughout the height of the door.
To get the right replacement components for your oven, ensure that you match the model name and part number.
Follow these steps to replace the hinges on your oven door:
- Open the oven door completely and unlock the hinges by releasing the tabs or clips. You can use a flat-head screwdriver to release the tabs by moving them down.
- Close the oven door partially, hold it firmly at the sides, and lift it a little so it slides out of the hinges. Pull the door out and keep it on a flat working surface.
- Remove the door’s outer glass panel by unscrewing the top cap, lower bracket, and side pieces. Your oven door may have an integrated frame and outer glass panel. Or, you can remove the lower bracket and frame before removing the glass from the door.
- You may have to remove the handle if the hinges run throughout the height of the door on both sides. Otherwise, you can keep the handle on the door. Most oven handles are screwed on the top or inside the door. So, unscrew accordingly.
- The hinge assembly has screws at the bottom or on the back of the door. Some models may have a mounting bracket. Remove all these screws and brackets.
- Disassemble the old hinge assembly. Install the new one and tighten all the screws.
- Reinstall all the door components. Ensure the tabs or clips on the hinges are open when you reinstall the door on the oven, or the door won’t fit in.
Check Whether the Oven Is Level
The lack of proper leveling in an oven can lead to various issues, including changes in the alignment of the oven door over time. As a result, the hinges, lock, or gasket will not function as intended, leading to the oven not closing fully.
The uneven distribution of weight caused by an unleveled oven door can put added stress on these components, causing them to wear down more quickly or malfunction entirely.
Check whether your oven is level by following these steps:
- Use a bubble level or similar tool to check if the oven sits flat on its feet. Place the level on top of the oven and then at the bottom edge of the door frame.
- Test if the oven’s platform is level. This platform can be a countertop, the base of a cabinet, or the floor, depending on the oven: built-in, free-standing, size, etc. Place the level at the cabinet’s base towards the front edge, sides, and rear end.
- Check if the oven door is level. Hold the door partially open and place the level on the top edge or trim. Even in a slightly open position, the door’s top edge of the horizontal trim should be level.
Here are the solutions based on the problem associated with an oven that’s not level:
- Adjust the feet of your oven. Some models have two adjustable feet at the front. A few ovens have four adjustable feet. Raise or lower these adjustable screws to level the oven with the bubble level still on top.
- If the countertop, cabinet, or floor is not level, you can use a sturdy object as a shim. You can use a wooden shim, metal washer, or anything appropriate to raise the oven’s feet to level the appliance.
- A tilted door trim of a leveled oven on a flat surface indicates a problem with the frame or one of the critical parts. For instance, your door may have dropped a little. Hence, you need to inspect the oven door’s components.
Align the Oven Racks Properly
If an oven door does not close fully, it may be due to obstructions such as an improperly positioned oven rack. The oven rack may need to be aligned, or there may be a significant grime buildup on the door frame.
Pulling, pushing, adjusting, or removing the racks can cause the greasy buildup inside the oven to shift, accumulating gunk in specific areas of the oven frame.
To address this, adjust the rack and ensure it is correctly placed inside the oven without obstructing the door frame.
Clean the Oven Door, Seal, and Liner
Your oven door, seal, or gasket will get dirty and greasy quickly. Extensive gunk buildup may prevent the door and its seal from closing fully flush with the frame.
Therefore, clean the oven door, seal, and liner. Even with a self-cleaning oven, you must manually clean the seal and liner outside.
Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for selecting the appropriate cleaning agents and methods.
Here are the standard ways to clean an oven door, seal, and liner:
- Use dishwashing soap, baking soda, vinegar, or non-toxic commercial cleaner to clean the glass door of your oven.
- Regular detergent, baking soda, and water work well on the metal liner. You should avoid vinegar on the metal liner of your oven if you have to scrub hard, as it could cause it to corrode.
- Use a mild detergent or hydrogen peroxide to clean the seal. Always use a soft cloth or sponge on the gasket, not an abrasive material. Do not scrub the seal intensely.
Inspect the Oven’s Door Lock
If the lock on your oven is broken, faulty, or covered in grime, it can cause the door not to close fully. When a lock is defective, the latch may remain closed even when the oven is open, causing it to obstruct the door and prevent it from closing correctly. If this is the case, the lock should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.
Here is how you can inspect and troubleshoot an oven’s door lock:
- Check if the latch is open before you close the oven door.
- Clean the oven’s door latch; preferably, use a lint-free microfiber cloth.
- Test if the latch is working correctly, be it a manual, electromechanical, or electric lock.
- Replace a faulty door lock or motor assembly if need be.
Electric and gas ovens with a self-cleaning feature have a motor assembly mounted at the back. A bad door lock motor may interfere with your self-cleaning oven’s closing and opening mechanism. In this scenario, replacing it is the only solution.
Here’s a video from RepairClinic on replacing the door lock motor on an LG oven:
Refer to the manual to check the location of this assembly. You can match the motor for the door lock. The other steps shown in the video are broadly applicable to most ovens.
Inspect Gasket
Regular use of an oven can cause the gasket to become misaligned. The oven may not close properly if the seal protrudes or is not tightly fitted. If you encounter this issue, you should clean the gasket, if necessary, and properly align it on the oven.
However, a new gasket must be purchased if the seal is visibly damaged, broken, compressed, frayed, or loose. It is essential to keep the gasket in good condition to maintain the efficiency of your oven and ensure it closes fully.
Here is a guide to replacing a worn-out gasket in your oven:
- You may remove the oven door to get more working room. However, you can access the gasket on most ovens without removing the door.
- Find the oven’s model name and product number on the rating plate. In most cases, the rating plate is at the bottom. You will see it on the body when you open the oven door.
- Check the gasket type on your oven. For example, the seal could be a rubber gasket that fits into a groove or a woven mesh material with hooks.
- When buying a new seal, match the model name, product number, and gasket type.
- Fit the new gasket as per installation guidelines. Some gaskets have four clips on the corners that fit snugly in the oven. Ovens with grooves require a gentle sliding push for the rubber gasket to fit perfectly.
Fix a Warped Oven Door
You may try a few remedies to fix a slightly warped door. Such remedies include oven gasket rope, tape, and high-temperature adhesive. However, these makeshift solutions may only work for some.
You can attempt to bend the warped part of the door. However, I don’t recommend a DIY fix for such cases because the glass can break, you might damage the door, or the outcome may compromise the oven’s seal and safety.
Consult a certified technician to weigh your options. A warped door may be repairable. If it’s not repairable, you will need to replace it.
Here’s a 1-minute video from the BuySpares YouTube Channel to help you remove and replace an oven door:
Conclusion
I’ve provided all the information to fix an oven that won’t close properly. If you have attempted all the suggested solutions and the problem persists, your only option is to seek assistance from a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the issue.
Steve Rajeckas is an HVAC hobbyist with an avid interest in learning innovative ways to keep rooms, buildings, and everything else at the optimal temperature. When he’s not working on new posts for Temperature Master, he can be found reading books or exploring the outdoors.