Oven Not Heating: Gas & Electric Fixes

Is Your Oven Really Not Heating? Quick Tests

Before you assume you’re dealing with a major repair, it’s important to confirm if your oven is not heating a real mechanical problem or something simple you can fix in minutes. Many homeowners jump straight into searching for gas oven not heating, electric oven not heating, or even oven igniter not working before checking the basics. Here are a few quick tests to help you diagnose the issue properly.

1. Confirm the Power or Gas Supply

A surprising number of heating issues come from a disconnected power source or a partially closed gas valve.

• For electric ovens, check the breaker panel for a tripped switch. Electric ovens require a full 240V connection, if only half the breaker has tripped, the oven lights may work but the heating elements won’t.

• For gas ovens, make sure the gas supply is fully open. Restricted gas flow can lead to weak flames, uneven heating, or complete oven failure.

2. Test the Oven Temperature Setting

Sometimes the problem isn’t the oven, it’s the settings.
Verify that the oven isn’t accidentally set to:

• Timer mode

• Warm mode

• Delayed start

• Sabbath mode

Any of these can prevent preheating and make the oven appear like it’s not heating.

3. Check the Heating Elements or Burner Glow

If your electric oven is not heating, open the door and look for the heating elements glowing red during preheat.

• If only one element glows, the other may be burned out.

• If neither glows, you may have an electrical fault or sensor issue.

For gas ovens, watch the burner area when you set the oven to bake:

• You should see an orange glow from the igniter within 30–90 seconds.

• If the burner never lights, you may be dealing with an oven igniter not working or gas oven ignition problems. Both are extremely common failures in gas models.

4. Listen for Unusual Sounds

Both gas and electric ovens make predictable sounds during operation.
Pay attention to:

• Clicking with no flame → ignition failure

• Humming but no heat → faulty control board

• Silence when preheating → igniter failure or power problem

5. Test with a Simple Thermometer

If you’re unsure whether the oven heats at all, place an oven-safe thermometer inside and set the temperature to 350°F (176°C).
Check the reading after 15 minutes:

• Below 250°F → major heating failure

• 250–300°F → weak element or failing igniter

• 350°F or close → your oven is heating, but possibly cycling incorrectly

6. Rule Out Microwave Issues

If you also notice your microwave oven does not heat food, that’s a separate issue often caused by a bad magnetron, capacitor, or door switch. It’s unrelated to your oven’s heating but worth addressing if you’re troubleshooting multiple appliances at home.

Gas Oven Not Heating: 5 Common Causes

When you’re dealing with a gas oven not heating, the problem almost always comes down to airflow, ignition, or safety components that prevent the burner from lighting. Gas ovens rely on a precise ignition sequence, and even one weak part can stop the entire oven from producing heat. Below are the five most common causes, each explained in clear, practical terms so homeowners can understand what’s happening before calling a technician.

1. Weak or Failed Igniter (Most Common Issue)

The oven igniter not working is the #1 reason a gas oven fails to heat. Over time, igniters weaken; they may glow orange but not reach the temperature required to ignite the burner.
Symptoms:

• Oven glows orange but never lights

• Clicking or humming sounds

• Takes longer than 90 seconds to ignite

Fix:

• If the igniter is glowing weakly or not glowing at all, it needs replacement.

• This is a standard repair and usually the first thing technicians replace.

2. Gas Oven Ignition Problems (No Flame Ignition)

Beyond the igniter itself, gas oven ignition problems can result from issues in the ignition circuit, burner alignment, or gas flow.
Symptoms:

• Smell of unburned gas (dangerous,turn off gas immediately)

• Oven attempts to ignite multiple times

• Clicking with no flame

Fix:

• Ensure gas valve is fully open

• Check for debris around the burner

• If the igniter is glowing but no flame appears, the gas safety valve or control board may be failing

This repair is best left to a professional due to gas safety considerations.

3. Blocked or Dirty Burner Ports

Burner ports can become clogged with food debris, grease, or carbon buildup. If the burner can’t draw air properly, the ignition will fail.
Symptoms:

• Flame starts but quickly dies

• Uneven heating

• Burner lights on one side only

Fix:

• Remove the bottom oven panel

• Clean the burner tube with a soft brush or vacuum nozzle

• Ensure ports are fully open

Never use sharp objects to poke holes, it can damage the burner.

4. Faulty Temperature Sensor or Thermostat

Even if ignition works, a bad temperature sensor can shut off the burner prematurely, creating the illusion of a gas oven not heating.

Symptoms:

• Oven preheats but never reaches temperature

• Overheating or fluctuating temps

Fix:

• Use a multimeter to test the sensor for proper resistance

• Replace if readings are outside manufacturer range

This is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.

5. Gas Safety Valve Failure

The gas safety valve opens once the igniter reaches the correct temperature. If the valve fails, the burner won’t receive gas.
Symptoms:

• Igniter glows but burner never lights

• No gas smell

• Clicking stops after ignition attempts fail

Fix:

• A faulty valve must be replaced

• This repair requires a licensed technician due to gas handling

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may have a deeper electrical or gas-flow problem. At that point, a professional diagnosis is necessary. So, we offer same-day oven repair in MetroWest, MA.

Electric Oven Not Heating: Troubleshooting Guide

When your electric oven is not heating, the issue usually comes down to one of three things: a failed heating element, a temperature sensor problem, or an electrical issue that interrupts the heating cycle. Compared to gas ovens, electric ovens are simpler to diagnose but the symptoms can be confusing if you don’t know where to look. This guide breaks down the most common causes and shows you how to troubleshoot safely before calling a technician.

1. Burned-Out Heating Element (Most Common Issue)

Electric ovens use two heating elements:

• Bake element (bottom)

• Broil element (top)
  

If either one burns out, your oven may turn on, the lights may work, but the oven is not heating properly.

Signs of a bad element:

• The element doesn’t glow red during preheat

• Visible blisters, cracks, or dark spots

• Oven heats very slowly or unevenly

How to test:

• Set oven to 350°F and look for the element to glow
  If it stays dark, it needs replacement

  Heating elements fail naturally over time and are one of the most common repairs for electric ovens.

2. Faulty Temperature Sensor or Thermostat

Most modern ovens use a temperature sensor instead of a mechanical thermostat. If the sensor is malfunctioning, the oven may shut off too early, overheat, or never reach the right temperature.

Symptoms:

• Oven stays warm but never gets hot

• Oven reaches the wrong temperature

• Burnt or undercooked food

How to diagnose:

• Compare actual oven temperature with an oven thermometer

• If the reading is significantly off, the sensor is likely bad

• A multimeter test can confirm resistance issues

Fix:
Replacing the sensor is straightforward and usually inexpensive.

3. Blown Thermal Fuse

Electric ovens include a safety fuse that cuts off power during overheating. If the fuse blows, the oven will stop heating entirely even though the stove or clock may still work.

Symptoms:

• Oven won’t heat at all

• No sound, heat, or glow from elements

• Oven may appear completely unresponsive

Fix:
A blown fuse must be replaced.
Important: If the fuse blew once, the underlying cause (blocked vents, failed fan, overheating) must be identified to prevent it from blowing again.

4. Control Board or Relay Failure

Inside every electric oven, a control board sends power to the heating elements. A damaged relay or burned-out circuit can stop the oven from heating even if every other part is working.

Symptoms:

• Elements test good, but no heat

• Oven clicks but doesn’t activate heating

• Error codes on the display

• Intermittent heating, works sometimes, fails other times

Fix:
Control board replacement is often needed. A technician can test the board and identify faulty relays.

5. Electrical Supply Problems

Electric ovens need a full 240V connection to heat. If one side of the breaker is tripped, the oven may turn on, but the elements won’t heat.

Signs:

• Oven light works, but no heat

• You recently had a power outage or breaker trip

• Stove top works but oven doesn’t (in some models)

Fix:

• Reset the breaker fully

• Make sure both poles of the breaker are engaged

If the breaker keeps tripping, that indicates a wiring or control board issue.

6. Wiring or Terminal Block Damage

Loose wires, burned connectors, or a damaged terminal block can disrupt power flow to the heating elements.

Warning signs:

• Burn marks near the back panel

• Electrical smell

• Oven shuts off during cooking

Fix:
Damaged wiring must be repaired by a technician to avoid electrical hazards.

Most electric oven heating issues are caused by:

• Burned heating elements

• Faulty temperature sensors

• Blown thermal fuse

• Control board issues

• Breaker or wiring problems

If the basics don’t fix the problem, it's time to call a professional to avoid electrical risks.

Professional Oven Repair Service

Even with the best troubleshooting, there are times when an oven problem needs a trained technician especially when the issue involves gas ignition, electrical wiring, or repeated heating failures. If your oven is not heating, keeps shutting off, or shows signs of a weak igniter, it's safer to stop using it until a professional checks the system.

At Promix Appliance Repair, we handle both gas oven not heating and electric oven not heating issues across MetroWest, MA. Our technicians diagnose heating failures, igniter problems, control board faults, temperature sensor issues, and gas oven ignition problems with the right tools and same-day availability.

When It’s Time to Call a Professional

You should reach out for expert repair if you notice:

• The oven igniter not working or glowing but failing to ignite the burner

• The oven preheats extremely slowly or never reaches temperature

• The breaker trips repeatedly when the oven heats

• There are gas ignition attempts with no flame

• The oven cycles off too early or cooks unevenly

• You smell gas, burning plastic, or electrical odors

• You’ve already replaced the element or sensor, but the oven still won’t heat

Heating failures often involve deeper issues in the safety valve, wiring harness, thermal fuse, or control board components only a certified technician should work on.

Related Issue: Microwave Not Heating

If you’re also dealing with a situation where your microwave oven does not heat food, that’s usually connected to a bad magnetron, capacitor, diode, or door switch. It’s a separate appliance problem, but Promix AR handles that too.

Why Homeowners Choose Promix Appliance Repair

• Same-day service in most MetroWest, MA areas

• Technicians trained on all major brands

• Upfront pricing with no hidden charges

• Quality replacement parts

• Repairs backed by warranty

• Gas-safe and electrical diagnostics included

When your oven stops heating, it doesn’t have to interrupt your routine. A quick professional inspection ensures your appliance is safe, reliable, and heating properly again.

Need fast gas or electric oven repair? Contact Promix Appliance Repair today for trusted, same-day service in MetroWest, MA.