Oven Not Heating — Electric vs. Gas
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Quick answer: Electric: check the breaker and look at the bake element (bottom of the oven) for blisters or breaks; then test it and the temperature sensor. Gas: make sure gas is on (do the cooktop burners light?), then check the oven’s hot-surface igniter, which PartSelect says should glow and open the safety valve, normally in about a minute.
PartSelect says most electric ovens use both bake and broil elements to bake, with the bake element doing 90 percent of the heating.
Test order: easiest & free first
- Check settings, timer and lockFREE · 2 min
Make sure a bake mode is selected, no delay/timer is set, and the oven isn’t locked (see your manual). - Electric: check the breakerFREE · 2 min
Ranges are on a 240 V double-pole breaker. Reset fully OFF then ON. - Gas: check gas supplyFREE · 2 min
If the cooktop burners light, PartSelect says the issue is most likely the oven igniter; if not, check the gas supply first. - Electric: inspect the bake elementFREE · 5 min
Look for blistering or separation. PartSelect: run Bake for a minute, turn off, and see if the element got warm (carefully). Blistered/separated = replace. - Electric: test the bake elementMULTIMETER
Unplug, remove, and test for continuity on Rx1. PartSelect says almost all fall between 19 and 115 Ω; check your manual for yours. No continuity = replace. - Gas: watch the igniterINSPECT
A hot-surface igniter heats and glows, which opens the safety valve (PartSelect). If it glows but gas doesn’t light after about a minute, the igniter may be weak or the safety valve faulty. - Temperature sensorMULTIMETER
Inside the oven, usually near the top rear. Test at room temperature against your manual’s spec (PartSelect). - Control board, thermostat or fuses$$$
PartSelect lists the electronic control board, oven control thermostat (older models) and fuses; eliminate other parts first.
⚠ Safety: Electric ovens run on 240 V — PartSelect warns a shock can be fatal; unplug or switch off the breaker before testing. Gas: shut off the gas supply before working near the burner. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility.
Parts to check
| Part | Part number | |
|---|---|---|
| Bake element (electric) | Look up by your model number | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Hot-surface igniter (gas) | Look up by your model number | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Oven safety valve (gas) | Look up by your model number | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Temperature sensor | Look up by your model number | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
We only list part numbers confirmed by a cited source. Parts vary by model, so always look up by your model number at the parts retailer before ordering.
💡 Find your model number: Look on a label around the oven door frame, inside the storage/warming drawer, or on the back of the range.
Watch it done
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