Article
When an oven will not heat, dinner stops. Before you order takeout, take a few minutes to check the basics. Many ovens fail in simple, repeatable ways, and the signs are easy to spot once you know where to look.
Remember the safety rule for gas: if you smell gas, leave and call your gas company or 911. For anything else, our team offers same-day oven repair and emergency help, and you can call (972) 449-9527 at any hour.
Quick answer
- If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas company or 911.
- Electric ovens often fail because of a burned element or a tripped breaker.
- Gas ovens often fail because of a weak igniter.
First, the safety rule
If you smell gas, do not turn on lights or use your phone inside. Leave the house and call your gas company or 911. Then call a technician.
Check the basics
- Is the oven in bake mode and not in a lock setting?
- Is the clock set correctly?
- Is the door fully closed?
Electric oven checks
- Look at the bake element. Does it glow when on? A broken or blistered element needs replacing.
- Check the breaker. Electric ovens use a double breaker that can trip.
- A bad temperature sensor can also stop heat.
Gas oven checks
- Look for the igniter glow. A weak igniter can glow but not open the gas valve.
- Make sure the gas supply is on.
- Never try to fix gas parts yourself.
If food cooks unevenly
A weak element, a bad sensor or a door seal that leaks can cause hot and cold spots.
How an electric oven makes heat
An electric oven has a bake element on the bottom and a broil element on top. A sensor tells the control when to turn them on and off. If an element burns out, or the sensor fails, the oven will not reach the set temperature.
How a gas oven lights
A gas oven uses an igniter. When you set a temperature, the igniter glows hot. Once hot enough, it lets the gas valve open. If the igniter is weak, it may glow but never open the valve, so the oven stays cold.
When the temperature is wrong
An oven that is hotter or cooler than the dial can ruin recipes. Place an oven thermometer inside and compare. If it is off by a lot, the sensor or control may need service.
Self-clean cycle problems
The self-clean cycle runs very hot. After it, some ovens will not heat because a thermal fuse or a control has failed. If your oven stopped working right after a cleaning cycle, tell your technician.
A simple troubleshooting order
- Confirm the oven is on bake and not in a timer or lock mode.
- Check that the door is closed and the clock is set.
- For electric ovens, check the breaker.
- Look at the bake element for damage.
- For gas ovens, check for the igniter glow.
- Call a technician if the oven still stays cold.
Why oven repair is best left to a pro
Ovens use high voltage or gas. A wrong move can cause shock, fire or a gas leak. Safe checks, like looking at an element or resetting a breaker, are fine. Anything that needs tools or opening panels should be done by a trained technician. See our oven repair page.
When to call a pro
Most oven repairs need testing tools. See our oven repair, stove repair and cooktop repair pages.
Need help now?
For gas smells and sparks, call right away. We offer same-day visits and emergency help 24 hours a day. Searching for appliance repair near me? Call (972) 449-9527 for fast same-day help and emergency help in The Colony and nearby cities. We take calls 24 hours a day.
Related repair services
See all services, brands we repair or learn about our team. Back to our homepage.
We repair brands like GE, Frigidaire and Wolf, and we serve cities such as Denton and Coppell.
