What to do if your gas oven is not heating
When you’ve prepared a delicious meal and it’s ready to go in the oven, the last thing you want to encounter is a gas oven that’s not heating. Even though you may find an alternative to cooking in your oven, it’s ideal to have your oven working properly when you need it.
Understanding the parts of an oven can help, but there may be a specific issue that you’d like to resolve. Follow this guide to help you troubleshoot the issue and figure out if you can fix it or if it’s better to call a licensed professional.
Why is my gas oven not heating up?
If your gas oven is not heating up it may be something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker, or it could be a more complex issue that requires a service call. Read on to find out why your gas oven may not be heating up.
It’s always best to consult your owner’s manual for model-specific information. You may be able to diagnose the problem through the error code displayed on your digital oven. To troubleshoot an issue with a Whirlpool® gas oven, you can check your product manual or chat with a representative, or shop for genuine parts and accessories. If the project is outside your experience level, you can schedule a repair appointment. Learn more about why your oven may not be heating up. If your gas oven isn’t turning on, there may be deeper issues to troubleshoot.
1. Check your electrical connection
While a gas stove uses an open flame to cook food, it will also have components inside that require an electrical connection. For an oven that won’t turn on, first check to see if your circuit breaker has been tripped. If so, you’ll need to switch it “On” to reset the breaker.
Then turn your stove on and if this trips the circuit breaker “Off” again, you will need the help of a professional. You can also check that the outlet your oven is plugged into is functioning properly.
2. Inspect the gas connection
The gas connection is branch piping that hooks to the back of your oven, typically through the wall or floor. Take a look to see if the gas valve on this pipe is in the “On” position. If it’s “On” and your oven still won’t heat, consider an inspection by a licensed professional.
3. Clean the gas ignitor
The gas ignitor activates the heating element within your oven, so if it’s dirty or faulty, your oven won’t turn on. Check for buildup on the gas ignitor. It may just need a simple cleaning, but you’ll want to follow the cleaning instructions in your appliance care guide. You may need to consult a service professional if it needs to be repaired.
4. Test your oven thermostat
You can test the temperature by preheating your oven with an oven thermometer on the center rack of your oven. When preheating is complete, check the thermometer reading. If it’s off from the desired temperature by 15 degrees Fahrenheit or more, you can adjust the temperature settings by calibrating your oven.
You may need to change the temperature settings to the proper unit of measurement—either Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending on your area. Consult your product manual for specific instructions on how to change it. While it does not happen often, your oven’s temperature could be off by 100 degrees or more, in which case you should reach out to a professional and not try to calibrate it yourself.
5. Position your temperature sensor
A faulty temperature sensor may be another cause of an oven that’s turning on, but not heating up. If your temperature settings are correct, look for the sensor—a thin tube typically located in the back of your oven. Check that it’s at a 90° angle to the back of the oven. If it’s been bumped, you can carefully position it back into place. An oven that still isn’t heating after inspecting the temperature sensor may require service from a licensed professional.
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Why is my gas stove working but not my oven?
If your gas stovetop is heating but not your oven, it could indicate an issue with your gas ignitor. It may be dirty from buildup and just need cleaning. Check your owner’s manual for the location and proper cleaning instructions. Consider contacting a service professional for the repair.
Why won’t my gas oven heat even though the pilot light is on?
If the pilot light is on and gas is flowing in your oven, yet it won’t heat up, it could be your gas oven ignitor. Check the ignitor to make sure it’s clean. Dirty or misaligned gas oven ignitors may need a cleaning. Check your owner’s manual and if you’re unsure about how to clean it, it’s best to call a licensed professional.
Why is the Bake function not working on my gas oven?
The bake element at the bottom of your oven is the main heat source for most oven functions. If it’s not heating properly, this can impede the Bake function. You can troubleshoot the issue through your owner’s manual or request a service call from a professional.
Why is the broiler not working on my gas oven?
The broil element is typically located at the top of the oven to direct heat to brown, char or caramelize your favorite dishes from above. If it’s not functioning, double check that your oven door is properly closed. You can also troubleshoot through your owner’s manual or contact a licensed professional.
Can you manually ignite a gas oven?
Modern gas ovens typically have a gas ignitor, while older models may have a pilot flame. Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions or call for service.
Explore Whirlpool® gas ranges and ovens
Whether you love to bake, broil or roast, you can trust a Whirlpool® gas oven to help you easily and quickly put a mouthwatering meal on the table. Select Whirlpool® gas ranges offer features like Scan-to-Cook Technology that uses the barcode on frozen food packages to select the proper temperature and cook time, while Frozen Bake™ Technology lets you skip preheating for frozen favorites.
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