Guide to Basic Oven Repairs

You likely rely on your oven and range almost every day, and there are few things worse than turning it on to prepare your food only to find your stovetop or oven is not heating up. This is just one issue that can occur with your oven, leaving you to worry if you’ll need to replace it entirely.

Fortunately, you can easily diagnose common problems with your range and even repair some of them yourself without calling a trained professional. Whether your oven door won’t close securely, or your food isn’t cooking evenly, in many cases, you can find and fix the problem with minimal time and effort.

Learn how to troubleshoot eight common issues with your oven or stove, and when to call a professional for help.

Oven Isn’t Heating Up

Perhaps the most common oven issue is that it simply won’t heat up at all. If you notice your gas oven not heating, a faulty igniter is often the culprit, while for an electric oven, a broken heating element is likely the source of the issue.

To replace the igniter on a gas oven, first, turn off the gas to the appliance. Then use a screwdriver to remove the original igniter, which is at the bottom of the oven.

When you begin replacing the heating element in an electric oven, make sure it is fully off. Then you can remove the old heating element and install a new one, following the instructions that came with the part or in your oven’s manual.

If replacing the oven element or igniter doesn’t solve the problem, there may be a larger issue with your electric oven or a faulty gas line leading to your gas oven. If you have a home warranty, submit a claim to start the repair process. If you haven’t purchased warranty coverage yet, contact a professional to diagnose and repair the issue.

Food Is Not Cooking Evenly

Your oven may be heating up, but not cooking food evenly. If you’ve ever cooked a dish in an oven and found that half of the food is still cold, you know how unpleasant this can be.

In a gas oven, a faulty thermostat or temperature sensor could be the source of the problem, while in an electric oven, the temperature sensor or heating element could be the issue. To determine what is the reason why your oven is not heating up all the way or inconsistently, preheat the oven and check whether the heating components work properly. Particularly in an electric oven, you may notice that only part of the heating element is lighting up.

After the oven is preheated, check the temperature with an oven-safe thermometer. You may need to replace the temperature sensor or the heating element in an electric oven. In some cases, items you keep in the oven can prevent the heat from circulating evenly, so they should be removed.

Gas Burner Isn’t Igniting

Another common oven problem is a gas burner that doesn’t ignite. If you have a gas oven, it likely has igniters, which create a spark to light the burners when you turn them on. However, these igniters can sometimes fail, especially if you haven’t used the oven in a while. But if your gas oven won’t light, you may need to dig a little deeper.

Note: If you don’t use your oven often, it may have been a while since you last cleaned it. If you’re experiencing issues, it’s time to clean your oven range filter.

Fortunately, a gas burner that fails to ignite is an issue that you can often fix yourself by taking the following steps:

• Remove the burner grate, cap, and base.
• Clean the burner with a rag or handheld vacuum, removing any food particles.
• Once you’ve cleaned the burner, closely examine the wiring between the igniter and the control module. If the wires are loose, tighten them. Return every component to its proper place and attempt to light the burner again.

If the burner still fails and your gas oven won’t light, you may have an issue with the gas line. Gas line issues will require calling in the professionals.

Electric Range Burner Is Not Heating

While a non-functioning gas burner isn’t an issue you have to worry about with an electric oven, your electric burner can also fail to heat up. In many cases, this just means that the burner needs to be replaced, but a faulty infinite switch or socket could also cause the issue.

Check the socket for any signs of damage or wear over time. If the socket appears to be in poor condition, replace the burner element and test it again to see if it works correctly.

If the burner still doesn’t heat up, the infinite switch may be the issue. This is a more complicated problem, so testing and replacing an infinite switch should be performed by a professional to prevent damage to your oven and to ensure your safety.

Oven Door Won’t Close Fully

If your oven door won’t close properly, it’s more than an inconvenience—it can also be a potential safety hazard. That’s why it’s important to correct this issue as soon as possible.

If you have a gas oven, safely disconnect it from the gas line before attempting to repair the faulty door. Once the oven is disconnected, you can detach the door by jacking it up slightly and then pulling it out. Most models have several screws that attach the door to the base, but some use straps. Refer to your appliance’s user manual to find out how your oven door is attached and remove it.

Once the door is removed, look for any loose hinges or straps. If any pieces are broken, they will need to be replaced. However, if they’re merely loose, you can usually tighten them up to get your door back in working order. You should also check for any bent or broken door springs that need to be repaired or replaced. You may also need to replace the rubber gasket around the edge of the door.

If you’ve replaced these oven elements and the door still won’t close properly, there is probably a bigger problem that needs to be resolved, in which case it’s time to enlist the services of a professional. However, if you have oven, range, and cooktop home warranty coverage, do not attempt to fix any issue before checking whether the repair is covered. (For more on this, see our blog: )

Self-Cleaning Function Isn’t Working

Almost all of today’s modern ovens have a self-cleaning function. However, you will still need to manually clean your oven from time to time, so don’t rely on the self-cleaning function for all your sanitizing needs.

If your oven isn’t self-cleaning as it should, review its user guide and make sure you’re following the instructions correctly. You may also need to opt for manual cleaning first to remove large quantities of debris.

If the self-cleaning function still doesn’t work after a thorough manual cleaning, you may need to replace the thermostat, control board, or another component. This will likely require the help of a trained technician to diagnose and repair.

Oven Isn’t Heating to the Right Temperature

In some cases, you’ll find your oven not heating up to the temperature you’ve set, even though it turns on. This usually results from an issue with the igniter in a gas oven or the heating element or temperature sensor in an electric oven.

Fortunately, you can easily diagnose the problem using a tool called an ohmmeter. Check the temperature sensor first to make sure it’s not touching the interior wall of the oven, and then use the ohmmeter to confirm it's working. If the sensor is broken, you’ll need to replace this oven element.

If the temperature sensor works correctly, check the igniter or the heating element to see if either of these components is the source of the issue. If you have to replace any parts, you may need to recalibrate your oven afterward.

Interior Light Is Out

The light inside your oven is just like any other light in your home and will eventually need to be replaced. This is one of the simplest oven repair tasks you can perform.

Once you’ve confirmed the oven is off, remove the light bulb cover and the old bulb. Use gloves or a dry cloth to install the new bulb, and you should be good to go.

Oven Still Isn’t Operating Correctly

If you’ve checked all the possible causes for your electric or gas oven not heating and still can’t find the issue, it’s likely time to contact a trained professional. Learn how a home warranty works and how it can help when your oven breaks. With First American Home Warranty, you can request service for a covered appliance, and we’ll send a technician to help resolve the problem, simplifying your home repair needs. Want to learn more? Get a quote today.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.