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6 reasons why your oven is not baking properly

Your oven is a key component in getting dinner on the table for your family, and it can be more than frustrating if it isn’t working the way it should. If your oven isn’t properly distributing heat and leaving you with unevenly baked results, use this guide to explore possible causes and fixes so you can get meal time back on schedule.

Possible solutions for an oven that isn’t cooking properly

Troubleshooting an oven that isn’t distributing heat properly can be as easy as recalibrating your oven or as challenging as replacing the heating element.

Explore the possible solutions below to determine if you can resolve your oven issues yourself or if you need the help of a professional.

1. Check the oven airflow

Your oven requires proper airflow to distribute heat throughout the cavity. Covering the base of your oven or the racks with tin foil or other coverings can restrict the airflow and may lead to unevenly cooked food. Remove any blockages or coverings from your oven and racks.

2. Keep the oven door shut

It can be tempting to open the oven door during the baking process to peek in on your food. However, this can affect the oven’s internal temperature and may lead to poor heat distribution. Instead, keep the oven door shut and use your oven’s internal light to check your food’s baking or roasting progress.

3. Recalibrate your oven

Calibrating your oven adjusts the temperature settings to help ensure accuracy, and if your oven has been improperly calibrated, it can cause inaccurate temperature readings. Check that your oven is correctly calibrated and recalibrate if necessary.

4. Don’t overcrowd the baking racks

Placing too many baking dishes on your oven racks can restrict the flow of hot air throughout your oven cavity and can lead to uneven results. When placing baking sheets or dishes in your oven, allow at least two inches of space between them.

5. Check the heating element

An oven that isn’t heating properly may have a damaged heating element that needs to be repaired or replaced. If your oven has any exposed bake or broil elements, check for visible breaks or blisters. You can also visually check to make sure all oven elements are turning on. Electric heating elements will glow red while gas ovens will produce a visible flame.

If you find damage or notice that the heating elements are not activating, you may need to call a licensed technician to schedule a repair or replacement service.

6. Inspect the temperature sensor

Typically located in the top right corner, the temperature sensor is a thin, metal part of your oven that monitors the heat inside your oven to maintain proper baking temperatures. Small changes in the sensor’s position can affect your oven’s heating capabilities.

If your oven isn’t heating evenly, make sure that the sensor is sitting at a 90° angle and reposition it if necessary once the oven has completely cooled. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to replace the sensor with the help of a professional.

Shop Whirlpool^® wall ovens

If it’s time for an oven upgrade, explore Whirlpool^® ovens to find the right fit. Whether you’re baking cake for a birthday party or roasting chicken and potatoes for dinner, Whirlpool^® wall ovens are designed to help. Shop select models with features like Scan-to-Cook Technology¹ that helps you select the right setting every time or the Steam Clean Option that helps you clean up light spills without harsh chemicals and cleaners.

What causes uneven baking?

There are a few possible reasons why an oven isn’t distributing heat evenly, including restricted airflow, improper oven calibration, overcrowded racks, a broken heating element, a malfunctioning temperature sensor or simple user error like opening the oven door too often during the baking process.

Does an oven cook from the inside out?

No, ovens heat and cook your food from the outside in. The hot air that circulates around the food browns the food's surface by evaporating residual moisture, and the heat works its way towards the middle of your food to cook the inside.

Explore Whirlpool^® ranges

Whirlpool^® gas and electric ranges are designed to help you prepare meals for the people you love. Explore select ranges with features like the SpeedHeat™ Burner that generates high heat to sear and boil quickly, or the Frozen Bake™ Technology that lets you skip preheating to cook your favorite frozen foods in fewer steps.