Rule out the settings first
Modern ovens have features that can look like faults. Check for a flashing lock icon, a Sabbath or Shabbat mode, a delay-start or timed-bake program, or a demo mode that runs the display without heating. Turn the oven off, wait a minute, and start a simple bake at 350°F. If the display behaves normally but nothing heats, move on.
What the oven does tells you what to check
| What happens | Think about |
|---|---|
| Electric, display works, no heat in bake or broil | Breaker (double-pole), thermal fuse, relay or control |
| Electric, broil heats but bake does not | Bake element or its wiring |
| Electric, heats weakly or slowly | Partially failed element, one half of a 240-volt supply, or a drifting sensor |
| Gas, igniter glows but no flame | Weak igniter or a gas valve that is not opening |
| Gas, igniter never glows | Failed igniter, safety circuit or control |
| Gas, cooktop works and oven does not | Oven igniter or oven safety valve; the gas supply is probably fine |
| Heats then shuts off | Temperature sensor, door switch or overheating protection |
Electric ovens: three checks
- The breaker.Ranges use a large double breaker. Flip it fully off, then on. A breaker that trips again immediately is a sign of a short and a reason to stop.
- Look at the elements.With the oven off and cool, examine the bake element at the floor of the oven and the broil element at the top. Blistering, breaks or burned spots mean the element has failed.
- Watch the glow.Set the oven to broil with the door open slightly; an element that does not glow orange-red across its length is not heating properly.
Gas ovens: what you can and cannot do
You can check that the range is plugged in (the igniter and controls need power), look for a valve on the supply line, and see whether the igniter glows. If the igniter glows but the oven does not light within a minute or so, it is probably too weak to open the safety valve. That is a part replacement for a technician.
Gas that builds up before ignition can flash. If you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
After a self-clean cycle
Self-clean cycles drive the oven well above normal cooking temperatures. If the oven stopped working after a cycle, a thermal fuse, lock motor or control board is the likely casualty. Do not try to bypass them; the thermal fuse in particular protects against overheating.
Safe to try, and when to stop
Safe to try
- Reset the breaker once.
- Check lock and mode settings.
- Inspect an electric element for visible damage when cool.
- Check the plug and the gas shutoff handle position.
Stop and call
- You smell gas.
- The breaker trips repeatedly.
- Elements or wiring show scorching.
- Smoke or sparks appear.
What to tell the technician
Share the fuel type, brand and model, what the display shows, whether broil and bake behave differently and whether anything happened just before (a self-clean, a power outage, a move). When you are ready, request a repair visit in Austin or use the form below. Our oven repair page covers wall ovens and accuracy problems, and the range and stove repair page covers combination units. You can also browse our services from the homepage.
Questions people ask
Why does my oven display work but it does not get hot?
The control has power, but the heating circuit is not completing: a bad element, a tripped one-sided breaker, a thermal fuse or a relay are common causes.
Can I replace an oven element myself?
Some owners do, with the power turned off at the breaker and following the manual. If you are not comfortable working on electrical parts, leave it to a technician.
Why does my gas oven take so long to heat?
A weak igniter often delays the gas valve opening. A sensor reading too high can also cut heating early.
Is an oven that heats only to 300°F safe to use?
It is not unsafe by itself, but cooking times and results will be off. Use an oven thermometer and arrange a repair.
Last updated October 13, 2026. This page offers general information to help you describe and understand a problem; it is not a diagnosis. Always follow your appliance manual and local safety rules.