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Why is my oven not heating up?

Using a reliable, working oven is often essential to putting dinner on the table. When your oven isn’t heating, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot. Read on to learn the possible reasons your oven isn’t heating up.

What is a possible reason for an oven not heating?

Depending on your type of oven, a possible reason your oven is not heating may be due to a faulty igniter in gas ovens or a broken heating element in electric ovens. These parts are the source of your oven’s ability to heat, and if they aren’t working, your oven won’t be able to perform its job. Explore additional troubleshooting tips if your oven isn’t working or turning on at all.

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Troubleshoot an oven that’s not heating up

Prior to troubleshooting an oven that isn’t heating up, you will want to refer to your owner’s manual for possible issues. You will also want to contact a professional for any electrical issues or heating replacements. If your oven smells like gas, it could be a different issue.

Follow a different set of troubleshooting steps if your oven is heating up but not baking food properly.

The first step to troubleshooting an oven that isn’t heating up is checking for electrical issues. If your circuit breaker hasn’t been tripped and your outlet works, the next step is to check the parts of your oven. Use your gas or electric oven owner’s manual to check your heating element/igniter, make sure that your oven door is sealing properly and your temperature sensor is located in its proper position.

1. Inspect circuit breaker

If your oven is not heating, it could be the result of a tripped circuit breaker. Check your home’s breaker panel to see whether a breaker is stuck in the middle between “On” and “Off.” If it is, flip it to “On” and see whether your oven then heats.

2. Check outlet

A non-working outlet may be the cause of your oven not turning on. There are several signs that your outlet has gone bad, but a common indicator is discoloration like black spots or misshapen plastic. If you are not sure if your outlet is functioning properly, contact a licensed electrician.

3. Inspect heating element (electric oven only)

Your electric oven’s heating element (also sometimes referred to as a baking element) powers your oven’s heating. If your heating element is not glowing red when you attempt to heat your oven, this can be a sign that it needs to be replaced.

4. Check oven door seal

In order for your oven to stay heated, it must be able to keep in the heat it produces. Make sure the seal between the oven door and the interior oven wall is in place and that your door fully closes to prevent heat from escaping.

5. Locate temperature sensor

The temperature sensor is an important part of your oven’s heating. When correctly positioned at a 90° angle, your oven sensor will help modulate your oven’s functions. If the sensor is out of place, or if a heating element is out of position and too close to the sensor, it can cause incorrect temperature readings.

6. Examine igniter

Dirty or faulty igniters can be the possible cause of a gas oven not being able to heat. If the ignitor is dirty, it can be cleaned following the instructions in your appliance care guide; if there is no build-up, you will need to contact a licensed technician for a replacement.

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Can I replace an oven heating element myself?

When experiencing a broken heating element, it’s advised to contact a professional as opposed to attempting to fix it yourself.

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Where can I get replacement oven parts?

If your oven isn’t heating up you can obtain new oven replacement parts through the Whirlpool Corporation parts and accessories page. Do not attempt a replacement before consulting your owner’s manual to identify whether you can troubleshoot the problem. If you are unsure how to replace the part or which part you need, make sure to contact a professional repair service.

Do ovens need ongoing maintenance?

As the cornerstone of your kitchen, your oven will require ongoing maintenance to help ensure it is running smoothly. One important part of maintenance is to regularly clean your oven; or, if you have a self-cleaning oven, you may use the self-clean feature any time there has been a heavy build-up of grime or debris.

Shop Whirlpool^® ovens

Your oven is an important tool to getting meals on the table. So no matter whether you’re slow-roasting a family favorite or rushing out the door, Whirlpool^® ovens can help you get the job done. With features like Frozen Bake™ Technology on select models, you can get dinner to the table when you need it and manage mealtime on your time.