Electric Oven Not Heating? How to Fix It

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Appliance Service Plus
February 3, 2025
Oven Repair

The main role of ovens is to cook food, so it is incredibly frustrating when they won’t heat up. Heating issues can have a broad range of potential causes, ranging from power issues to electrical problems. If your oven isn’t heating, read on—we have a range of possible solutions that will help you fix it. 

Check the power supply

Before you look for more complicated solutions, check to see if your oven is properly connected to the electricity. If the circuit breaker has tripped or the oven is not properly plugged in, it won’t be able to perform any functions, including heating. 

To fix:

  • Check to see if your oven’s functions, such as the interior light or the clock display, are working. If they are, this rules out a power supply issue. 
  • Check to ensure your oven’s power cord is intact and properly wired in. Most ovens are hardwired and require installation by a professional. 
  • Check to see if the circuit breaker corresponding to the oven has flipped. A power surge can cause this to switch off, preventing your oven from drawing power. If it has flipped, make sure it is put back into the “on” position. 
  • Once the power is restored, try turning on your oven again and see if it is heating. 

Check the temperature sensor

The temperature sensor is a part that sits inside your oven’s interior and detects the internal temperature. If this is faulty, it may incorrectly sense that the oven is at a higher temperature than it is, preventing it from heating to the right temperature. If the sensor is coated with food debris and grease, its function can be affected. Here’s what to check:

  • After turning off the oven’s power, locate the temperature sensor. In most models, it is located in the interior, near the broil element. It will look like a narrow metal prong. If you’re having trouble locating it, check your oven manual. 
  • If the sensor is dirty, thoroughly clean it with a cloth and detergent, then test it to see if the heating issue persists. 
  • If the sensor looks fine, use a multimeter to test for correct continuity. It should read about 1080 ohms. If the reading is significantly off, it means it needs replacing. 
  • Purchase a compatible replacement temperature sensor, remove the faulty one, and install the new one. 
  • Test to see if the oven is now heating normally. 

Check the thermostat

While the oven temperature sensor senses the oven’s internal temperature, the thermostat controls it. This mechanism sends signals to the heating element, increasing the heat if the oven is too cold and decreasing it if it is too hot. If the thermostat malfunctions, it may not send the correct signals, leading to an oven that won’t heat. To check:

  • Try setting your oven to medium heat. After about 20 minutes, check to see if the thermostat has clicked off, indicating that the correct temperature has been reached. If it has, but the oven is still cold, the thermostat is malfunctioning. 
  • Try testing the thermostat with a multimeter. It should read close to zero ohms. If the reading varies greatly from this, it isn’t working. 
  • If the thermostat is faulty, you can purchase a replacement from an appliance parts retailer and install it according to manufacturer instructions. 
  • Once the new thermostat is installed, try heating your oven again to ensure it works correctly. 

Check the door seals

If your oven produces heat but continually fails to reach the correct temperature, you could have a problem with the door seals. Oven doors must be tightly sealed to ensure hot air stays inside the oven interior. Over time, the seals can become loose and less effective so that the hot air escapes faster than the heating elements can produce it. If this is your problem, you will notice the oven is hot to the touch on the exterior. You may also notice that the heating elements run continuously instead of cycling on and off. To check this:

  • Close the oven door and check to see if there is a gap. This indicates a gaping seal. 
  • Open the oven and inspect the seals, checking for rips, tears, and loose places. 
  • If the seals are dirty, thoroughly clean them, as excessive grease and grime can prevent them from closing properly. 
  • If the seals appear to be damaged, source replacement seals from an appliance parts retailer. Then, remove the faulty seals and press the new ones into place. 

Check the heating elements

Electric ovens contain two main heating elements—a bake element at the bottom of the oven and a broil element at the top. If one or both of these elements is faulty, your oven won’t be able to heat up properly. Signs of a faulty heating element include uneven cooking, taking longer to reach the desired temperature, and not heating at all. To fix this:

  • Try heating your oven to medium heat, then check to see if either of the elements is functioning. A functioning element will glow red and radiate heat.
  • Once you’ve located which element is the source of the issue, cut power to your oven and wait for it to reach room temperature. 
  • Test the suspicious element with a multimeter to check for functionality. 
  • If the element is functional, it should read between 10 and 40 ohms. If the reading is off, it will need replacing. 
  • Buy a replacement element, ensuring it is compatible with the make and model of your oven. 
  • If you feel confident doing so, you can remove the faulty element and replace it yourself, or if you prefer, you can hire a professional repair technician. 
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