The specific reasons for a Wolf oven not heating depend on the model, especially if it is a gas, electric, or dual fuel range. Also, Wolf makes built-in or wall ovens that operate differently than ranges. Irrespective of these differences, a Wolf oven not heating has a few typical causes.
Your Wolf oven is not heating due to any of the following reasons:
- The oven is in showroom mode.
- The door isn’t closed and sealed.
- The cooling fan isn’t functioning.
- The thermal cutout is tripped.
- Relay or control board problems.
- Broken electric heating elements.
- Bad gas safety valve or igniter.
- Defective temperature sensor.
- Energy issues: electricity or gas.
Your Wolf oven may have one or more of these problems, so you should inspect everything you suspect. Also, it will help if you have the manual handy because the troubleshooting steps aren’t identical for all models. Read on as I explain why your Wolf oven is not heating and how to fix it.
The Oven Is in Showroom Mode
Most Wolf ovens have a showroom mode, including the following:
- Convection Steam Oven
- Dual Fuel Range
- E Series
- Induction Range
- L Series
- M Series
- SO24 Oven
The showroom mode simulates the features and functions. Hence, you’ll have full access to the control panel. However, the settings on display don’t actually reflect the oven’s operation. To fix this, you’ll have to switch off the showroom mode.
How To Fix
Here are the steps to disable the showroom mode on a Wolf E Series oven:
- Keep the unit off but connected to its 240V wall outlet.
- Press the Set Timer key and hold it for 5 seconds.
- Select or press option 2 to disable the showroom mode.
If you own an Original SO24 oven, here are the steps to disable its demo mode:
- Press and hold the Light, Ok, and Off buttons simultaneously.
- Adjust the knob to set the unit to Demo Mode -> Off.
- Press Ok to confirm and then Off to exit the settings section.
These steps are different for the SO24 ovens manufactured after 2019. Also, the steps vary for other models. If you don’t have a manual, here are a few Wolf oven showroom mode settings:
- New SO24 (2019 onwards)
- Convection Steam Oven
- L Series Wall Oven
- Legacy Dual Fuel Range
- Legacy Induction Range
- M Series Oven
The Door Isn’t Closed and Sealed
An open or unsealed door may prevent a Wolf oven from heating. The door may not close and seal properly due to the following reasons:
- Failing hinges
- Damaged gasket
- Deformed door
- Faulty door switch
Not all Wolf ovens have a door switch, so check your model and its manual. Wolf Crusader and Air ovens have a door switch that should function flawlessly for the appliance to start heating. Also, a defective gasket may let hot air out, so the Wolf oven won’t heat adequately or efficiently.
How To Fix
Subject to your inspection, replace the following parts:
- Door hinges
- Seal or gasket
- Door switch
- Deformed door
The Cooling Fan Isn’t Functioning
Many Wolf ovens have a convection fan. This fan circulates the heat inside the oven cavity and also cools the appliance afterward. A malfunctioning convection fan may fail to avert overheating, and the oven may shut down midway.
Some Wolf ovens have a cooling fan that you cannot turn on or off. The convection fan on all models have ON, OFF, and Cooling modes. You can toggle these based on your needs. However, contemporary electric ovens made by Wolf require the cooling fan to run autonomously. So, if this fan doesn’t work, your Wolf oven may not heat or stop heating abruptly to prevent overheating.
How To Fix
Check your convection or cooling fan, subject to the model you own. Inspect the fan to ensure it is working flawlessly. Otherwise, you have to replace the fan. Sometimes, the fan may be fine, but the wiring could be the issue. Thus, inspect the wires and test the fan motor for continuity.
The Thermal Cutout Is Tripped
All Wolf ovens contain a thermal cutout that can trip during overheating. As a result, the oven won’t heat. Also, Wolf ovens are known to experience a blown fuse or tripped thermal cutout due to the high temperatures of a self-cleaning cycle. So, you may find the oven not heating after self-cleaning.
Furthermore, the self-cleaning cycle can trip the circuit breaker. Hence, you have to check both the thermal cutout or onboard fuse of your Wolf oven and the circuit breaker to detect the actual problem. Nevertheless, an oven is unlikely to blow the fuse and trip the circuit breaker during the same cycle.
How To Fix
Inspect the circuit breaker and reset it to solve the problem. If the circuit breaker is fine, check the condition of the power cable to ensure it isn’t damaged, loose, frayed, etc. Then, check the thermal cutout. If the thermal fuse is blown, you have to get a new one and remember to match the part number.
Relay or Control Board Problems
A Wolf oven not heating is often due to a malfunctioning control board. However, the entire control board may not be damaged if you can access the display panel and toggle the settings. In this case, you’re probably looking at faulty relays on the control board.
In electric ovens, every heating element has a dedicated relay switch on the control board. Gas ovens have control board relays for the igniter. If these relay switches don’t work, the heating elements in electric ovens and the igniter in gas models won’t have the power to function. Also, the control board has a power relay switch for all the heating elements in an electric oven.
How To Fix
You have to replace the faulty relays or the entire control board. Some Wolf ovens may have two boards, especially dual fuel ranges and double ovens. You can presume the issue is an inoperative relay if a specific heating element or igniter doesn’t work. But if the board has other issues, you need a new one.
Broken Electric Heating Elements
Suppose the control board and relays are working fine, and no other issue in this guide explains why your Wolf oven isn’t heating. In that case, you have a defective heating element. So, check the element for the following symptoms:
- Cracks
- Blisters
- Discoloration
- Deformation
- Broken parts
Also, inspect the wiring of the malfunctioning heating element since frayed connections can prevent the elements from heating. Furthermore, the heating element may not work if the Wolf oven has a short. The element itself may have a short if a part of it is broken and in contact with the cavity.
How To Fix
Here are the standard fixes based on the problem:
- Fix loose connections or replace frayed wiring.
- Replace a worn out or damaged heating element.
- Contact an electrician to inspect a short, if there’s one.
Bad Gas Safety Valve or Igniter
Wolf gas ovens have an igniter for every burner. The igniter heats and opens the safety valve, thus allowing the gas to flow into the burner. If the igniter isn’t hot enough, the safety valve won’t open. Also, a weak igniter won’t light the burners while a broken safety valve may not open.
How To Fix
If you don’t see flames around the burners in a Wolf oven, suspect the gas safety valve and the igniter. You can’t repair a Wolf gas oven’s igniter or safety valve, so you must replace whichever is faulty. In rare cases, the gas supply or pressure through the main line could be the problem.
Defective Temperature Sensor
A defective temperature sensor shouldn’t prevent a Wolf oven from heating at all. In this case, you’re likely to find a lower or higher temperature than your chosen setting. Broken temperature sensors can shut ovens prematurely, but they should still warm a little. Nonetheless, test the temperature sensor.
How To Fix
Here’s how to test a Wolf oven’s temperature sensor:
- Unplug the oven and take apart the rear access panel.
- Locate the sensor’s wiring terminals behind the oven.
- Remove the wire harness to test the sensor’s resistance.
- Set a multimeter to ohms and place the probes at the terminals.
- Check if you get a reading of around 1,050 to 1,100 ohms.
- Otherwise, you have a malfunctioning temperature sensor, so replace it.
The ohms reading I’ve mentioned is for standard resistance temperature detectors used in most ovens. Also, the measurement is at room temperature.
Energy Issues: Electricity or Gas
A Wolf electric oven won’t heat if the 240V power supply has any voltage or current fluctuations. Likewise, a gas oven won’t heat if the supply pressure is low. The onboard safety valves of most ovens are rated for the standard gas supply to residences. So, check the supply and pressure.
How To Fix
If you have an electric oven, ensure the wall outlet is 240V. Also, check for voltage or amperage fluctuations. Furthermore, inspect the main wires at the terminal block of your Wolf oven. If the wires are frayed, burnt, or damaged, replace them. For gas ovens, ensure the supply is normal.
Chris is a Texas-based freelance writer who loves the outdoors and working in his garage. When he’s not enjoying the Texas sun, he can be found tinkering with all sorts of things in his workshop.