If your oven isn’t heating up while the stove works normally, there are several causes that you should consider. These include issues with the heating element, electric or gas supply, faulty gas igniter, temperature sensor, or thermostat.
Otherwise, there may be blockage restricting the burners from heating up properly, leading to the oven not getting hot enough.
An oven is a long-term investment. You can expect it to last about 15 years if serviced and used well. It can get frustrating if your oven isn’t heating up. I assume you are here because yours has been acting up. If my assumption is correct, you have come to the right place.
In this article, we will present the various causes of your oven not heating up while the stove works perfectly, along with fixes to each cause. Make sure to stick to the end for some FAQs as well.
Components And Functioning Of An Oven
The components of a standard oven include the heating element, oven rack, convection fan, igniter, temperature sensors, thermostat, and vents. The oven has a separate heating element from your stove. Consequently, your stove may work fine, but the oven could still be an issue.
An igniter lights the gas supplied to the oven. The heat produced powers the heating element, which has different modes as listed below:
- Broiling: only the top part of the heating element operates at high temperatures.
- Baking: most or all of the heating elements function at medium temperatures.
- Roasting: all the heating elements work at high temperatures.
The temperature sensor detects changes in the temperature, and the thermostat adjusts the temperature to the required level by increasing or decreasing the functioning of the burners.
Having established the various components of the oven and how they function together, let’s now look at some of the common causes of your oven not heating up while your stove works.
Causes Of The Oven Not Heating Up
There can be several reasons for your oven not getting hot. The most common causes include the following:
The burners inside a gas oven have dedicated igniters and safety valves. For this reason, even if your stove works and there is an adequate gas supply to the range, the igniters, safety valves, and other vital parts in the oven may fail, preventing the appliance from heating up.
Faulty Electric Oven Heating Element
A faulty heating element is one of the most common causes of your oven not heating up. As mentioned earlier, there are several heating modes in your oven. The type of heating mode where the oven is not working normally can give you a clue as to which heating element isn’t functioning correctly.
- If your oven doesn’t heat up while broiling, there is some issue with the top heating element. The other modes will not be significantly affected in this case.
- If the baking mode functions normally but the roasting mode isn’t heating the oven enough, it could indicate that the heating elements are heating up but not sufficiently.
- If both baking and roasting modes are affected, there could be some issues with the heating element at the bottom of the oven.
- If all modes aren’t heating the oven enough, the entire heating element is faulty.
You can also check the continuity of your heating elements to analyze the situation further. After diagnosing which heating element is at fault, you have two options.
You can get a replacement through your manufacturer or purchase a heating element yourself. After purchasing the heating element, follow the instructions on the owner’s manual of your oven to remove and replace the heating element.
Lack Of Electric Power
If electricity powers your oven, then a lack of electric power delivered to the heating element can also be a cause of your electric oven not heating up. If your oven isn’t lighting up at all, check to see whether you have plugged the oven into the outlet correctly.
The power socket might also not be functioning correctly. Try plugging your oven into another socket to check whether the oven works fine. If your socket is faulty, you should get it replaced.
You should also check the cord to see whether it is damaged. Avoid using a damaged cord to operate your oven. If you notice any damaged wiring, replace it immediately.
Due to changes in voltage, the circuit breaker might have tripped. In such cases, check whether the electric supply has stabilized and there is no issue with the socket or wiring of the oven before re-energizing the circuit breaker.
In addition to that, your oven might have a blown internal fuse. You should read your owner’s manual to determine where this fuse is. You can either get a replacement through your manufacturer if your oven is under warranty or purchase one and replace it.
Insufficient Gas Supply
If you have a gas oven, a lack of gas supply can also lead to your gas oven not heating up. Check the gas valves that supply the oven. If the valves do not open completely or get stuck, you should consider replacing them by contacting your supplier.
Sometimes the supplier might have reduced gas supply, or there might be some blockage in the gas connections. In this case, you should refer to your gas supplier to further evaluate the problem.
Another case where there may be a reduction in the amount of gas supplied to your oven is when there is a gas leak. If your oven smells like gas, you should get it checked by a trained technician immediately after ensuring the safety of yourself and your family.
Faulty Gas Igniter
A malfunctioning gas igniter can also cause your oven to not heat up. The gas igniter is responsible for initiating the heating process of your oven. If the igniter is faulty, it will not light up the oven. If you notice that your oven is not lighting up and have ruled out other possible causes, you can suspect an issue with the igniter.
To fix this issue, you can get a replacement from your manufacturer if your oven is under warranty. You can also purchase one and replace it yourself (see the YouTube video below), or you can hire a trained technician to replace it for you.
Follow all safety precautions, such as turning off your oven and disconnecting its electric and gas supply. Wait for the oven to cool down before changing the gas igniter yourself.
Dirty Oven
A dirty oven can also cause insufficient heating of your oven. In this case, the oven will heat up, but it will either be really slow, or the heat will be insufficient for roasting or even baking. A dirty oven may block vents or the gas supply. As a result, there might not be enough gas to light up the oven properly.
To prevent the problem linked to a dirty oven, you should clean your oven according to your manufacturer’s guidelines every three to six months. This will allow your oven to function at its maximum capacity and prevent any gas accumulation leading to it smelling like gas.
Don’t know how to clean the oven? Then you are in luck because the YouTube channel Mr. Gizmo has created a helpful video on how to clean the oven with no hash chemicals:
Always remember to follow safety precautions when operating or cleaning your oven.
Blockage Of Burners
Blocked burners won’t be able to provide sufficient heat to power the heating element. Burners might get blocked due to dirt or debris. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to clean your oven and which chemicals you should use. Regular cleaning every three to six months prevents the accumulation of any debris or dirt in your oven.
Faulty Temperature Sensor And Thermostat
The temperature sensor detects the temperature at which your oven is operating. It adjusts it according to the requirement by signaling the thermostat to increase or decrease the functioning of the oven. The thermostat achieves this by causing the burner to heat more or less. If the temperature sensor or thermostat isn’t functioning normally, the burners might not heat sufficiently, thus preventing the normal functioning of the oven.
If you have ruled out other options and you notice that your oven does light up but doesn’t heat enough or takes longer to heat, then it is likely that the temperature sensor and thermostat are at fault. In such cases, you should get a replacement from your manufacturer if your oven is under warranty or hire a qualified technician to replace it for you. If you are confident in your DIY skills, then you can also consider replacing the thermostat yourself.
The YouTube channel SOS Parts shows how to do so:
Broken Oven Door
Sometimes, the oven door might not close properly. As a result, it loses heat to the surroundings. In such cases, you should contact a manufacturer to get a replacement for the oven door.
FAQs
What are the possible reasons why my oven is not heating up?
The possible reasons why your oven won’t heat up include issues with the heating element, electric supply, insufficient gas supply, and blockage of burners and other components. The reason could also be associated with an issue with the temperature sensor and thermostat.
How can I troubleshoot a non-heating oven?
If your oven isn’t heating up, here are some steps you should follow to locate the cause of the problem:
- First of all, make sure that your oven has power and that it does turn on. If there are issues with the circuit breaker, socket, or wiring, your oven might not start at all. If there are voltage fluctuations, your oven’s performance will also be affected. Check other appliances as well to see whether they are functioning correctly.
- See whether your oven lights up or not. If your oven does light up and is not producing sufficient heat, the issue can lie in the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the thermostat, or there might be some blockage in the burners due to an unclean oven. So, first, consider cleaning the oven following safety precautions. If your oven still isn’t functioning correctly, you should check the functionality and connectivity of the heating elements. Check your temperature sensor and thermostat to see if the heating elements are okay.
- If your oven isn’t lighting up, there could be an issue with the gas supply or the igniter. Check whether the gas supply valve is completely opened or if there is any leakage within the piping. The issue lies within the igniter if the gas supply is fine and the stove works normally.
- You should also check to see whether the door closes completely. Sometimes if the door isn’t closed completely, heating isn’t appropriate, causing your food to not cook properly.
How much does it cost to repair an oven that is not heating up?
The cost of repairing an oven that is not heating up depends on the cause of the issue. If the issue is due to a lack of oven cleaning, it can be fixed by thorough cleaning. In that case, it won’t cost you anything at all.
If damaged parts need repairing, then depending on the parts involved, the costs can vary. Oven heating elements begin from $25, while a gas igniter costs about $5 to $10. You may replace the temperature sensors and thermostats between $100 and $250. Additional help from a qualified technician may cost extra.
If your oven is under warranty, you should check whether the component damaged – or to be replaced – is covered within the warranty. If so, you can ask for a free replacement from your manufacturer.
When should I consider getting professional help?
After troubleshooting your oven and ruling out all of the causes, if your oven still does not heat up, you should get your oven checked by your manufacturer or a qualified technician. Furthermore, suppose you’re unsure about your DIY skills or have difficulty locating specific components within your oven. In that case, you should also contact a professional to help you out.
If you are wondering if you can leave your oven on overnight, the answer is yes, but it is never recommended, especially if you leave it unattended. Leaving an oven on overnight is dangerous if you’re asleep and no one watches it. No one will be able to prevent any risk or danger from happening.
Finally, if your meal needs to be prepared for over 12 hours, never leave it unsupervised. Every oven, whether electric or gas, may be left open if you watch what you’re cooking. To prevent any risk or danger, turn your ovens off after any dish is ready to serve.
