6 Reasons Why Your Oven Won’t Heat Properly

Sometimes good plans are spoiled by things that simply do not work anymore. Today we are going to help you resolve why your electric oven is not getting hot.

When you select the bake or broil function on the control panel, voltage is sent to either the bake or broil element. The circuit is closed and the element begins to heat. If the element fails to produce that magical red glow, it is probable that the element has burned out and needs to be replaced.

Visually inspect the element for any breaks, bubbles or blistering. If there is any damage evident, replace the element.

If for some reason damage is not apparent, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the element fails the continuity test, congratulations, you have found out why your oven is not heating properly. Simply replace the part and start cooking again.

Most electric ovens require 240 volts of alternating current (AC) that runs through two legs that carry 120 volts AC to whichever component you want to start. If a breaker trips or a fuse blows, it is possible for one leg to be shut down and that could cause components to fail and appear as if they need to be replaced.

Test the voltage in the power source with your multimeter. Set the meter to Volts AC. Readings should be between 210 and 240 volts. If your power source shows less than 210 volts, you may need an electrician to repair the problem.

A loose or burnt wire connection could cause the oven to fail. The bake and broil supply wires can burn out near the connectors or heat source and will have visible damage.

Some electrical ovens may get too hot and blow the thermal fuse. This will completely shut off the power to the oven.

If the fuse does not have any visible breaks, burns, or damage, you can test for continuity with a multimeter. If the fuse fails the continuity test, replace it.

The oven temperature is controlled by either a thermostat or a sensor. When the selected temperature is reached the oven control board shuts off the voltage to the element. The cycle repeats itself many times during the cooking cycle to maintain the chosen temperature.

If the thermostat or sensor has failed, the oven may not work at all. You can test for continuity both components with a multimeter. If either fail, replace the part.

If the sensor shows accurate resistance when tested, the oven control board may be at fault. The most you can do is a visual inspection as control boards are not easy to test. In most cases, when the control board is defective, you will be able to see burn marks or some other evidence of a short.

If after troubleshooting why your oven won’t heat properly or even at all, your oven still does not heat up, the control board could be the reason why.