Fall Kickoff Sale - Save 10%
  • Home
  • Why is my oven not heating? Causes and fixes

Why is my oven not heating? Causes and fixes

By: Reliable Parts • July 2026

An oven that’s not heating is most often caused by a failed bake element on electric ovens or a failed igniter on gas ovens. Less common causes include a defective oven temperature sensor, a failed control board, or a tripped breaker. Identify your oven’s model number to order the correct OEM replacement parts.

Need step-by-step instructions for your specific brand and model? Visit our DIY Repair Guide and filter by appliance and brand.

Safety information

Disconnect power at the breaker before working on electric oven components. Gas oven repairs require shutting off the gas supply at the oven’s shutoff valve. If you smell gas at any point, stop work, leave the area, ventilate, and contact your gas utility. Do not attempt repairs on the gas valve or burner assembly itself without licensed appliance technician training.

Most common causes

  1. Failed bake element (electric ovens) — the most common single cause. The coiled heating element burns out with age. Visible breaks or burn spots confirm the failure.
  2. Failed igniter (gas ovens) — the second most common cause overall. The igniter weakens with age and stops drawing enough current to open the gas valve.
  3. Defective oven temperature sensor — the sensor reports an incorrect temperature to the control, which then refuses to call for heat.
  4. Failed control board — the board that controls the bake circuit can fail, causing the oven to lock out heat even when other components are good.
  5. Tripped breaker (electric ovens) — ovens require both legs of 240V. A partially tripped breaker leaves the display working but kills the bake circuit.
  6. Failed broil element (broil-only issue) — if bake works but broil doesn’t, only the broil element needs replacement.
  7. Door switch / latch malfunction — on self-cleaning ovens, the door latch sensor must register the door as unlocked for bake mode to function.

Step-by-step diagnosis

  1. Confirm power to the oven. On electric ovens, reset the breaker by switching it fully off and back on. On gas ovens, confirm the gas supply valve at the oven is open.
  2. Visually inspect the bake element (electric ovens). With the oven cold, look for visible breaks, blisters, or burn spots in the coil. A failed element often shows obvious physical damage.
  3. On gas ovens, set the oven to bake at 350°F and observe the igniter through the bottom panel. The igniter should glow orange-white within 60 seconds. A weak orange glow or no glow at all indicates a failed igniter.
  4. Test the bake element with a multimeter (with power disconnected at the breaker). A working element shows continuity — typically 15-40 ohms. An open circuit confirms failure.
  5. Test the oven temperature sensor for resistance. At room temperature (~70°F), most sensors read approximately 1080 ohms. Significantly different readings indicate a failed sensor.
  6. If all heat-circuit components test good, the failure is likely in the control board. Check for visible burn marks on the board and inspect the bake relay.
  7. On self-cleaning ovens, confirm the door latch sensor is in the unlocked position. A stuck-locked sensor prevents normal bake mode from operating.

Replacement parts to consider

Common parts for a no-heat condition: bake element, broil element, igniter, oven temperature sensor, control board, oven thermostat, door latch assembly. Enter your range or oven’s model number on reliableparts.com to see the exact parts for your specific model.

Related FAQs

How long does an oven igniter last?

Most gas oven igniters last 7-10 years. The igniter weakens gradually — the most common symptom in the months leading up to failure is increasingly long preheat times. If preheat is taking longer than 15 minutes, the igniter is likely on its way out.

How long does a bake element last?

Most electric oven bake elements last 10-15 years. Heavy use, high temperatures, and frequent self-clean cycles all shorten the lifespan.

Why does my oven say it’s heating but the food isn’t cooking?

This pattern usually points to a calibration issue with the oven temperature sensor or thermostat. The oven reaches its called-for temperature on the display but the actual cavity temperature is 50+ degrees lower. Use a separate oven thermometer to confirm. If actual temperature is significantly off, replace the temperature sensor.

Can I use the broiler if the bake element is broken?

On most ovens, yes — bake and broil use separate elements and separate circuits. However, some convection ovens use the bake element for both modes and the broiler will be unavailable until the bake element is replaced.

How much does it cost to replace an oven bake element?

OEM bake elements typically cost $30-80. Replacement is straightforward on most ovens and takes 20-40 minutes. Professional installation adds $150-250 in labor.