Oven Not Working Well? (Common Issues & Solutions)

The oven is one of many homeowners’ most favourite kitchen appliances, especially for home chefs and bakers. Ovens are practical and highly versatile—they don’t just make simple meals more festive; they also promote healthier dishes. From baking cakes and cookies, roasting, heating, and cooking special recipes, the best oven can do so much for your kitchen.

To enjoy well-cooked and tasty recipes, it’s crucial to maintain the condition of your oven. This means knowing what the common oven issues are and figuring out how to fix them as soon as possible.

Here are some common oven repair problems and their easiest solutions.

 

Common Oven Issues and Repair Solutions

Problem: Oven is Not Reaching the Right Temperature

Possible Cause:

Is it taking you longer to cook your food? Are your baked goods lacking in colour or flavour? If so, your oven might not be reaching the required temperature. Generally, an oven that does not achieve the right temperature has some problem with its temperature sensor. 

Solutions: 

1. Reposition your temperature sensor so it does not touch your oven’s interior, as this can affect the sensor’s accuracy.
2. Use an ohmmeter to check if the sensor is responsive. If it is not responsive, consider replacing your temperature sensor.  
3. If your temperature sensor is not the problem, check the igniter (gas oven) or the heating element (electric oven). 

 

Problem: Oven is Not Heating

Possible Cause:

Some common problems that cause the oven to not heat are a damaged igniter for a gas model, a faulty heating element for an electric oven, or a faulty temperature sensor. While this can be a bit daunting to think about, fortunately, you can do some quick troubleshooting to detect the problem. 

Solutions: 

1. Check the igniter of your gas oven. When setting the temperature of your gas oven, you should hear some clicking sounds followed by gas ignition sounds. If you don’t hear these, you may need to replace your igniter. If the problem is more complex, we highly recommend getting professional repair services to address the issue.
2. If you have an electric oven, what you should look for within your unit is the heating element. You may inspect these elements by checking whether they glow red or not. If the parts are deformed, hard to locate, or generally damaged, ask for the help of an oven repair and maintenance professional.

 

Problem: Inconsistent Temperature

Possible Cause:

Inconsistent temperatures cause so much disaster when cooking. Have you ever encountered a half-roasted, half-relatively fresh chicken? How about toasted bread with some burned parts or an unevenly baked cake? If you experience these, your oven’s problem may also be caused by your temperature sensor and heating elements. On the other hand, the problem can be as simple as the placement of your oven rack, your cookware, or the way you use your oven.

Solutions: 

1. Follow the same steps when you check your heating elements and temperature sensors to see if they are working well. If not, it’s time to replace the faulty parts.
2. Make sure that your oven racks and cookware are positioned well, depending on the type of food that you are cooking or baking. Always use a clean baking pan to maintain its reflective properties and ensure maximum efficiency. Deep clean discoloured cookware and oven attachments if necessary.

 

Problem: Oven Door is Not Closing

Possible Cause:

The oven door is supposed to close tightly to operate well. The problem might be caused by faulty door parts or sensors.

Solutions: 

1. If your oven door doesn't close tightly, check for loose straps, hinges, and springs. Once you figure out the faulty parts, repair, tighten, or replace them, and replace the rubber around the oven door if needed. 
2. In some cases, if the door isn’t closing, the issue may be caused by faulty door sensors. If this is the case, you will need to have your door sensors replaced.

 

Problem: Oven Door is Not Opening

Possible Cause:

Is your oven door not opening after running a self-cleaning function? If this is the case for your unit, you will need to shut off your circuit breaker.

Solutions:

1. Shut off your circuit breaker or unplug the oven. After five minutes, plug the unit back in and try opening the oven door.
2. Reset your self-cleaning cycle and allow it to run for 15 minutes before cancelling the process. Try opening the oven door once the unit cools down.

Problem: Oven Light Is Not Working

Possible Cause:

If the internal light of your oven isn’t working, the culprit might be the switch, the bulb, or the wire connection.

Solutions:

1. You may change the oven’s light bulb by turning the appliance off and locating the old bulb.
2. If the first fix doesn’t work, we recommend calling a technician to check and repair the problem.

How to Fix Built In Oven - Quick Guide

Here are the general steps for common issues:

1. Non-Heating Oven:

   • Check the Power Source: Ensure the oven is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn't tripped.
   • Inspect Heating Elements: For electric ovens, look for visible damage to the bake or broil elements. Replace if necessary.

2. Oven Not Reaching Temperature:

   • Calibrate the Oven: Follow your manual's instructions to adjust the temperature settings.
   • Replace the Temperature Sensor: If calibration doesn't work, the temperature sensor might need replacement.

3. Oven Door Issues:

   • Tighten Hinges: Loose hinges can prevent the door from closing properly. Tighten any loose screws.
   • Replace Door Gasket: If the door doesn't seal, heat can escape. Check for wear and replace the gasket if needed.

4. Self-Cleaning Problems:

   • Ensure Door is Locked: Some ovens won't start the self-cleaning cycle if the door isn't securely locked.
   • Check the Controls: Reset your oven's controls if the cycle doesn't start.

5. Uneven Baking or Cooking:

   • Check for Obstructions: Ensure there's no foil or pans blocking heat flow.
   • Rotate Dishes: Sometimes, simply rotating dishes during cooking can mitigate uneven heating.

6. Electrical Issues:

   • Check for Error Codes: Modern ovens may display error codes that you can look up in the manual or online to diagnose issues.
   • Reset the Oven: Unplug the oven or flip the breaker for a few minutes to reset the system.

Safety Precautions:

• Always unplug or shut off the power to the oven before attempting any repairs.
• Wear protective gloves to prevent cuts or burns.
• Be cautious when working with gas lines or electrical components.

When to Call a Professional:

• If you're unsure or uncomfortable performing any repairs.
• For issues involving gas lines or complex electrical wiring.
• When the oven requires specialized tools or parts for repair.

Takeaway

An oven is a major kitchen appliance that is composed of multiple components, both big and small. With the amount of wear and tear an oven undergoes on a regular basis, these components can become faulty or damaged. The best thing to do to prevent oven issues is to clean your oven every time after use, set a schedule to deep clean your oven, call a professional to do checkups and maintenance work, and use your oven with care. In case of inevitable problems, it’s always worth knowing some common oven issues and some ways to troubleshoot the causes.

In case you end up with oven issues that cannot be fixed with a DIY approach, check your oven’s warranty and ask for the help of a professional. If you have an old unit that undergoes frequent repairs, maybe it’s time to save your repair money and effort and invest in a new oven.

There are various ways to approach your oven problems, but it’s always best to choose the solutions that can benefit you the most in the long run.