Most people are aware that if an oven is going to malfunction it is likely to be when you need it most. Whether you’ve got a hungry family waiting for food or have guests arriving for a dinner party, if your oven won’t heat, it can be a massive problem. Fortunately, there are some troubleshooting techniques that will help you to determine if a DIY repair is possible or you’ll need professional help.
The first and most easily overlooked step is to check if your oven is receiving power. Even if you have a gas oven, it will need an electric spark to ignite and allow the oven to heat up. Check that the power supply to your oven has not been accidentally disconnected and that the breaker hasn’t been tripped. Once you check that your oven is receiving power, you may be able to restore functionality, or you may need to dig a little deeper.
Some oven models will display a fault code to allow you to discover any problems with your appliance. These codes can vary according to the manufacturer, so you’ll need to consult your owner’s manual. Some fault codes simply require the unit to be reset by shutting off the power and switching the unit back on, so this could be a very simple fix. Alternatively, you may be directed to consult a repair specialist for further help.
One common reason why an oven may not be heating up is a faulty bake element. This element is needed to heat the oven compartment and is usually located at the bottom of your oven. When you turn your oven on, check for any signs of sparks from the bake element. If the element is sparking, you’ll need to turn off the power to the appliance and check the element for signs of blistering, discoloration or charring. These are signs that the element is damaged and needs to be replaced.
If there is no sign of damage to your bake element, you’ll need to move on to check the temperature sensor is operating correctly. Although it won’t necessarily show visible damage, if your temperature sensor has failed, it won’t provide an accurate temperature reading. This means that while you think you’ve set your oven at 150ºf, it could be only warming to 50ºf. Some oven models provide a fault code on the display to show a temperature sensor issue, and the testing procedure can vary according to specific models, so you’ll need to check your owner’s manual for further instructions.
If your oven is gas powered, your problems may be related to a bad oven igniter. A properly functioning igniter will glow for approximately 30 seconds before the burner actually ignites. If your igniter is taking longer than this or not operating at all, it is a sure sign that your oven igniter is faulty. You’ll need an experienced technician to verify this using a multimeter.
At this stage, if you still can’t figure out why your oven is not heating up, you’ll need to call in a professional home appliance specialist. An experienced technician will be able to assess your appliance to check for underlying issues and problems to offer an effective solution and get your oven back to full functionality.
If you’re having any difficulties with your oven, you can rely on a professional appliance repair technician to provide a long-lasting solution. For help with all of your oven repair needs, be sure to consult a professional appliance repair service.