6 Common Oven Problems (and How to Fix Them)

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ARS
July 7, 2021
Oven Repair

Most people use their ovens every day, so when they break down or stop working altogether, it is an annoying problem to have.

To help you get your oven working again, we decided to share how to fix the 6 most common problems that people have with their ovens. Simply follow our step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be back to baking your favorite cake in no time!

1. Gas Burner Doesn’t Work

If you have a gas burner, one of the most common problems is that the gas won’t ignite. This is mainly caused by a faulty gas igniter, but if the gas burner still won’t ignite even when you use matches or a lighter, then it might be that the gas burner is dirty or there is a loose connection.

Here’s how to check the gas burner to see what is causing it not to light:

  1. Lift off the burner grate, the cap on top of the burner, and then remove the base of the gas burner.
  2. Clean the gas burner by using a small wire to make sure there are no blockages.
  3. Give the other two components a good clean.
  4. Inspect the wires that connect the igniter to the control module. If any of the connection points are loose, you should tighten them.
  5. Put your gas burner back together, and check if the problem has been solved.
  6. If your gas burner still won’t work, this means it’s a more serious issue, and you’ll need to contact a trained technician to come and have a look at it.

2. Electric Stove Doesn’t Work

The next common problem a lot of people have is when one or more of the stove elements on their electric oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to inspect the electric stove elements:

  1. Unplug the faulty burner from the burner socket and also unplug a second burner that does work.
  2. Plug the burner that does work into the socket of the burner that has stopped working.
  3. Check if the working burner works. If it does, this means that the element is faulty and needs to be replaced.
  4. If the second burner also doesn’t work, this means you might have a faulty infinite switch or socket. You first need to inspect the socket for signs that it has burned out – if it has, you will need to replace it. Next, if the socket is ok, you need to test the switch with a multimeter.
  5. If the switch doesn’t have continuity, it needs to be replaced. If it does have continuity, then the switch is working correctly. At this point, you may need to call a qualified technician to come and look at the stove to carry out further tests.

3. Oven Doesn’t Heat

Another common problem people have with their home ovens is when the oven won’t heat. Most of the time, this is caused by a faulty igniter in a gas oven or a faulty heating element in an electric oven.

Here’s how to check the gas igniter:

  1. Attempt to turn the oven on.
  2. Inspect the igniter to see if it glows for 90+ seconds without igniting the gas. If the gas doesn’t ignite, this is a good sign the igniter is faulty and needs to be replaced.
  3. If the igniter isn’t glowing at all, use a multimeter to test the igniter for continuity.
  4. If the igniter doesn’t have continuity, then it needs to be replaced. If it does have continuity, you should consider calling a qualified technician to come and inspect your gas oven.

Here’s how to check the electric heating element:

  1. Turn the oven on.
  2. Check the heating element to see if it glows red.
  3. If the element isn’t glowing, it is faulty and most likely needs to be replaced.
  4. Turn the oven off and wait for the element to cool down. Once cold, inspect it for any signs of wear and tear. If it is damaged in any way, it should be replaced.
  5. Before replacing the element, test it with a multimeter for continuity. If the test shows no continuity, then it is faulty and needs to be replaced. If it does have continuity, then the problem is likely something more difficult to fix, so you should call a qualified technician to come and have a look.

4. Oven Doesn’t Heat to the Correct Temperature

Another common problem is when your oven doesn’t heat to the correct temperature. This problem is usually caused by either a faulty gas igniter, heating element, or temperature sensor.

To check the gas igniter or heating element, you can follow the steps outlined above in the “My Oven Doesn’t Heat” section.

If you have an electric oven, check the temperature sensor:

  1. Turn the power off to your oven.
  2. Locate the sensor. It is usually located at the rear of the oven and looks like a long and thin tube.
  3. Inspect the sensor to make sure that it is not bent out of position – sometimes it can bend out of place and touch the oven wall, which will result in it not working correctly. If it is in the wrong position, you can adjust the position and then check if your oven heats to the correct temperature.
  4. If you find that the sensor is positioned in the right place, use a multimeter to test the resistance at its probe ends. A correct reading on the multimeter will be around 1,100 ohms. If the test shows a result of more or less than this, you should replace the sensor and then check if the problem has been solved. If the problem persists, you need to call a qualified technician.

5. Oven Door Doesn’t Close

When your oven door won’t shut properly, it is not only unsafe, but it also means your oven won’t work correctly, as the heat will escape.

Here’s how to check why your oven door won’t close:

  1. Turn the power to the oven off, and if you have a gas oven, turn the gas supply off.
  2. Check the door hinges to see if they are bent out of shape, missing screws, or damaged. If so, fix the hinges if you can or replace them.
  3. Check the door springs for any signs of damage. If they are damaged, replace them.
  4. Check the door seal and door gaskets for any signs of damage. If damaged, you will need to replace them.
  5. At this point, hopefully you have found the reason why your door won’t close and have fixed it. If not, you may need to call a qualified technician to come and have a look at it.

6. Oven Light Doesn’t Work

Another common oven problem is the interior light stops working.

This problem is easy to fix; you usually just have to change the light bulb.

To do that:

  1. Turn the power to the oven off.
  2. Locate the bulb cover and remove it.
  3. Remove the old bulb by turning it counterclockwise.
  4. Install the new bulb and put the cover back on.
  5. Plug your oven back in and check if the problem has been solved. If not, you might need to call a qualified technician to come and have a look at it, as there might be a more serious problem that is causing the light to not work.
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