Oven Not Heating? Common Causes, Fixes, and When to Call a Professional

Few kitchen problems are as frustrating as turning on your oven, waiting for it to preheat… and realizing it’s not heating at all — or barely warming up. Whether you’re dealing with a gas or electric model, an oven that’s not heating properly can derail meals, waste time, and signal a deeper issue.

In this guide, we’ll break down why your oven is not heating, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to call a professional. We’ll also cover common long-tail scenarios like oven not heating but stove works and oven not reaching temperature.

Why Is My Oven Not Heating? 

An oven not heating is usually caused by a failed heating element, faulty igniter, temperature sensor issues, control board problems, or power/gas supply interruptions.
The exact cause depends on whether the oven is electric or gas and whether it heats partially or not at all.

Electric Oven Not Heating: Most Common Causes

If you have an electric oven, these are the most frequent reasons it won’t heat.

1. Burned-Out Heating Element

This is the #1 cause of an electric oven not heating.

Signs:

• Oven turns on, but no heat

• Visible blistering or breaks in the element

• Oven light and controls work, but temperature stays low

What happens:
Electric ovens rely on one or more heating elements. When an element fails, the oven simply can’t generate enough heat.

Long-tail keywords covered:

• electric oven not heating

• oven heating element not working

2. Oven Not Reaching Temperature

Sometimes the oven heats, but never gets hot enough.

Possible causes:

• Weak heating element

• Faulty temperature sensor

• Calibration issues

Symptoms:

• Food takes much longer to cook

• Oven says it’s preheated, but food is undercooked

3. Temperature Sensor Problems

The temperature sensor tells the oven when to heat and when to stop.

If the sensor is faulty:

• Oven may shut off too early

• Oven may never fully heat

• Temperature fluctuates wildly

Common search intent:

• oven not heating evenly

• oven temperature inaccurate

4. Control Board or Relay Failure

Modern electric ovens rely on electronic control boards.

Signs of control issues:

• Oven won’t start heating at all

• Error codes on the display

• Oven randomly turns off

This is not a DIY fix and usually requires professional testing.

Gas Oven Not Heating: What Usually Goes Wrong

Gas ovens heat differently, and their failures have distinct patterns.

5. Faulty Oven Igniter (Most Common for Gas Ovens)

If your gas oven is not heating, the igniter is often the culprit.

Symptoms:

• Oven won’t heat, but burners work

• Igniter glows weakly or not at all

• Long delays before ignition

Important:
A weak igniter may glow but still fail to open the gas valve.

Long-tail keywords covered:

• gas oven not heating

• oven igniter replacement

6. Oven Not Heating but Stove Works

This is one of the most searched scenarios.

Why it happens:

• Surface burners and oven use separate ignition systems

• Stove burners working does NOT mean the oven igniter is good

If the stovetop works but the oven doesn’t heat, the igniter or oven gas valve is usually at fault.

7. Gas Supply or Safety Valve Issues

Less common, but possible.

Signs:

• No gas smell at all

• Igniter works, but no flame

• Oven shuts off shortly after starting

Gas-related issues should always be handled by a professional for safety reasons.

Oven Turns On but Doesn’t Heat Properly

This gray-area problem confuses many homeowners.

Possible Causes:

• Weak heating element (electric)

• Weak igniter (gas)

• Faulty temperature sensor

• Control board miscommunication

Why diagnosis matters:
Replacing parts based on symptoms alone often leads to wasted money.

Quick DIY Checks You Can Safely Do

Before calling for service, you can safely check a few things.

Things to Check First:

• ✔ Confirm the oven is not in “Demo” or “Control Lock” mode

• ✔ Check the circuit breaker (for electric ovens)

• ✔ Make sure the oven is set to Bake (not Timer or Delay Start)

• ✔ Look for visible damage on heating elements

What NOT to Do:

• ❌ Do not disassemble gas components

• ❌ Do not test live voltage without training

• ❌ Do not force ignition repeatedly on a gas oven

When an Oven Not Heating Becomes a Safety Issue

Certain symptoms mean you should stop using the oven immediately.

Stop Using the Oven If:

• You smell gas

• The igniter clicks continuously without ignition

• The oven overheats unexpectedly

• The oven shuts off mid-cycle repeatedly

Safety issues should always be addressed by a trained technician.

Repair vs Replacement: Is It Worth Fixing?

Many people ask whether it’s worth repairing an oven that won’t heat.

Repair Is Often Worth It If:

• Oven is under 10 years old

• Issue is isolated (element, igniter, sensor)

• Appliance is otherwise in good condition

Replacement May Be Better If:

• Multiple major components failed

• Repair cost is close to replacement cost

• Oven has ongoing electrical or gas issues

A proper diagnosis helps you make the right call.

How Professionals Diagnose an Oven Not Heating

Professional technicians don’t guess — they test.

What a Proper Diagnosis Includes:

• Heating performance tests

• Igniter current draw testing (gas)

• Sensor resistance checks

• Control board signal verification

• Safety inspection

This prevents unnecessary part replacements.