How To Repair An Oven That Is Not Working

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Flamingo
October 3, 2022
Oven Repair

Your oven is probably one of the most used appliances you have in your home, which is why when it breaks down and stops working it can be very disruptive. In this article, we are going to go through all the main reasons why your oven has stopped working and give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix them.

Faulty power supply

The best place to start is to check the power supply. This applies to both electric and gas-powered ovens. According to manufacturers, an electric oven requires 240 volts of alternating current to operate correctly, and a gas oven requires 120 volts. If your power supply has become faulty, your oven might stop working.

The easiest way to check the power supply is to:

  1. Start by trying to reset your oven. This can be done by turning the power off for a minute and then turning it back on. 
  2. If your oven still doesn’t work, unplug your oven from the power socket (if possible) and plug it into an alternative socket. If the oven works in the alternative socket, the original power socket will need to be repaired or replaced.
  3. If you can’t test your oven in another socket or it doesn’t work in one, the next step is to test the power socket and circuit breakers with a multimeter to ensure they have the correct voltage. If not, they will need to be repaired or replaced. If the power supply has been fully checked and isn’t the cause of your oven not working, test the igniter.

Faulty igniter

The next three components to check only apply to gas ovens; if you have an electric oven, skip straight down to check the bake element. 

The igniter is responsible for lighting the gas so your oven can heat. When the igniter becomes faulty, your oven might not work.

The easiest way to check the igniter is to:

  1. Open your oven door and press the igniter.
  2. Check if the gas ignites when you press the igniter. If the gas is igniting the gas burners, you can move on to checking the next component. If the igniter isn’t working, it will need to be tested with a multimeter.
  3. If the igniter doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, move on to checking the broil spark electrode.
  4. Once a new igniter is installed, test if it ignites the burners. If not, test the broil spark electrode.

Faulty broil spark electrode

The next component to check is the spark electrode. The purpose of the spark electrode is to help the igniter light up your oven. If it becomes defective, your gas oven might not work.

The easiest way to check the spark electrode is to: 

  1. Turn the gas supply off and then switch the power off.
  2. Locate the spark electrode (consult your user manual if you’re not sure where it is). Once located, make sure the electrode isn’t damaged. If so, it will need to be replaced.
  3. If not damaged, test the electrode with a multimeter.
  4. If the electrode doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, move on to checking the safety valve
  5. Once a new electrode is installed, test if your oven lights up. If not, test the safety valve.

Faulty safety valve

The safety valve ensures the gas supply enters your oven correctly and safely. When it becomes defective, your gas oven might not work.

The easiest way to check the safety valve is to:

  1. Turn the gas supply off and then switch the power off.
  2. Locate the safety valve (consult your user manual if you’re not sure where it is).
  3. Once located, test the safety valve with a multimeter.
  4. If the safety valve doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, move on to checking the element.
  5. Once a new safety valve is installed, test if your oven lights up. If not, move on to checking the element.

Faulty element

If you have an electric oven, it will have an element in it, which is how your oven heats up. When the element becomes defective or loses its power supply it will stop your oven from heating up.

The easiest way to check the bake element is to:

  1. Start by removing the cover from the element (if applicable).
  2. Turn your oven onto the highest heat setting possible and let it heat up.
  3. Check if the element is glowing red. If not, this indicates the element isn’t working correctly. If the element is glowing red, move on to checking the thermal fuse. 
  4. To test the element, first, let it cool down and then test it with a multimeter.
  5. If the element doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it does have continuity, move on to checking the thermal fuse.

Faulty thermal fuse

The next component to check in our guide for how to repair an oven that is not working is the thermal fuse. The point of the fuse is to turn your oven off when it overheats. Sometimes, the fuse can become faulty, and turn your oven off when it shouldn’t.

The easiest way to check the thermal fuse is to:

  1. Turn the gas off and then switch the power off.
  2. Locate the thermal fuse and remove it from your oven.
  3. Use your multimeter to test it for continuity.
  4. If the fuse doesn’t have continuity, replace it. If it does have continuity, move on to checking the next component.
  5. Once a new fuse is installed, test if your oven now works. If not, move on to checking the next component.

Faulty control board

The final component that might be stopping your oven from working is the main control board. Your best option is to replace the main control board as testing them is very difficult. However, you may decide at this point to just purchase a new oven or get a technician to come and inspect your oven to see if they can find the cause of the problem.

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