The igniter is usually the problem when an oven isn't heating. It has two main roles. First, it pulls electrical current through the oven's safety valve to open it. Second, it heats up to glow and light the gas in the oven burner. If the igniter becomes weak, it won't be able to open the safety valve properly. If the valve doesn't open, the oven won't heat up. To check if the igniter is faulty, watch it when the oven is on. If the igniter glows for over 90 seconds without lighting the gas flame, it's probably too weak to open the valve and needs to be replaced. If the igniter doesn't glow at all, use a multimeter to test for electrical continuity. If the igniter lacks continuity, you'll need to replace it.
When the bake element works as it should, it turns red hot. If it doesn't turn red, it means the element isn't heating up. Often, you can see physical damage if the heating element has burned out. Look for holes or blisters on the heating element. To check if the bake element has burned out, use a multimeter, which is a tool that tests whether electricity can move through a component. If the bake element doesn't have continuity, meaning electricity can't flow through it, it needs to be replaced.
An oven's control board will often be used to send voltage to the bake and broil elements or the igniters. If the control board is defective, the voltage may not be sent to these components and the oven will not heat. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to test for voltage reaching the bake or broil elements or igniters after reviewing the appliance's wiring diagram.
The temperature sensor in an oven keeps track of the temperature inside the oven to make sure it's accurate. If the temperature sensor isn't working right, the oven might not heat up at all. You can test the sensor with a multimeter, a tool that measures electrical properties like resistance, called ohms, at a specific temperature. This can help you figure out if the sensor is faulty.
An oven burner spark electrode is used to light up the gas for the bake and broil burners. This electrode, a device located next to the burner, works like a spark plug. When electricity is supplied, a spark jumps from the tip of the electrode to its shield, lighting the gas. If the electrode is damaged or worn out, the spark might not happen. Look at the electrode assembly closely for cracks in the porcelain housing or damage to the electrode tip. Keep in mind, the range needs a proper ground and the correct incoming voltage for the electrode control to detect a flame once the burner is lit. If the burner turns off after being lit, ensure there's a proper ground and the correct polarity at the wall outlet.
Examine the broil element for any holes or blisters. When it's working correctly, the broil element turns red hot. If it doesn't become red, it means the element isn't heating up. If the broil element has burned out, you'll often be able to see the damage. To check if the broil element has burned out, you can use a multimeter, a tool that tests whether electricity can flow through a component. If the broil element doesn't have continuity, meaning electricity can't pass through it, you'll need to replace it.
For gas ovens that use a spark igniter, a malfunctioning spark module could be the reason the oven isn't heating up. If you don't see a spark close to the bake or broiler burner tube when the oven is on, use a multimeter. This tool can help you figure out if electricity is reaching the spark module. If the module is getting power but the oven isn't heating, the spark module is probably broken and needs to be replaced.
If the oven gets overly hot, the thermal fuse acts like a safety switch and cuts off power to the oven. If this fuse has blown, the oven won't heat up. But this doesn't happen often. To check if the thermal fuse is the problem, you can use a multimeter to test if electricity can flow through it, a property called continuity. If the thermal fuse doesn't have continuity, it needs to be replaced. Remember, a blown thermal fuse can't be reset—it must be replaced if it's blown.
The oven control board uses relays to send electricity to the bake and broil circuits based on the user's settings and feedback from sensors. If the control board is faulty, it might not send electricity to the heating parts. But, this doesn't happen often. Before you replace the control board, first check all the heating parts. If you find that all the heating parts are working correctly, then the control board should be replaced. Testing the control board isn't simple, so if you think it might be faulty, it's best to just replace it.
The gas oven safety valve cooperates with the oven igniter to supply gas to the burner. If the safety valve breaks, the oven won't heat up. But this seldom happens. Before deciding to replace the safety valve, first check all the oven parts that usually break, especially the igniter. If all the other heating parts are working fine, use a multimeter to test if electricity can flow through the safety valve, a property known as continuity. If the safety valve doesn't have continuity, you should replace it.
The oven thermostat controls the broiler's temperature. If there's a problem with the oven broiler, the thermostat might be broken. This thermostat has a thin copper tube attached to a slightly thicker one that goes into the oven. Inside this tube is a special hydraulic fluid. When the broiler gets hotter, the fluid expands, pushing on a small device in the thermostat and turning the heat off. As the broiler cools down, the pressure lessens and the device lets the broiler heat up again. Testing the oven thermostat is tough, and it can't be fixed if it's broken. If the thermostat is causing the problem, it needs to be replaced.
Some ovens have a part called a relay board. This board has multiple relays, which manage the electric current going to the heating element. If one or more of the relays on the board fail, the oven won't heat up. If the relay board is faulty, it needs to be replaced.
The valve and pressure regulator could be causing the problem, but this is extremely rare. The valve and pressure regulator are often wrongly blamed for issues. Before you replace these parts, it's a good idea to first check all the parts that usually break down more frequently. How to Replace Range/Stove/Oven Valve and Pressure Regulator
Electric ovens need 240 volts of alternating current to work, while gas ovens need 120 volts. If an oven doesn't turn on, there might be a problem with the power coming in. To find out if the electrical outlet is giving enough voltage, you can use a multimeter. This tool can test the power coming in at the wall socket.
One of the wires that provides electricity to the oven element or igniter could be burned out. This usually happens close to the heat source. To see if a wire is burned out, take a look at the wires that connect to the element or igniter. If a wire is burned out, it will often look visibly charred or burnt.