Oven Not Heating: Causes and What to Do
An electric oven that will not heat usually has a burned-out bake element, a failed temperature sensor or a control problem. A gas oven usually has a weak igniter that cannot open the gas valve. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and your gas utility. Otherwise, check the breaker and settings, then call a technician.
Free referral service. Have your ZIP code ready so your call reaches a provider near you.
Last updated October 2026An oven that will not heat is frustrating but rarely a sign the whole range is done. Most fixes are a single part. Safety comes first with gas ovens.
Quick checks to try first
- If you smell gas, leave the home and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
- Check the breaker; electric ranges often use a double breaker.
- Make sure the oven is not set to a delay-start or Sabbath mode.
- Look at the bake element for breaks, blisters or bright spots.
- On a gas oven, watch the igniter: a glow without flame often means a weak igniter.
- Check whether the broiler works when bake does not.
Safety first
Call a pro when
- The oven will not heat after basic checks
- The igniter glows but no flame lights
- The temperature is far off
- You see sparks
What is causing it?
Match what you see to the likely cause.
| Symptom | Likely cause | DIY or pro? |
|---|---|---|
| Electric: broil works, bake does not | Bake element | DIY or pro |
| Gas: igniter glows, no flame | Weak igniter | Pro |
| Temperature way off | Temperature sensor or calibration | Pro |
| Nothing works, display blank | Breaker, fuse or control board | Pro |
| Burns on bottom, raw on top | Element or convection fan | Pro |
| Locked after self-clean | Door lock motor or sensor | Pro |
Checks did not fix it?
Call 1-833-563-1092. Have your ZIP code ready.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Rule out a gas smell.
- Check the breaker and settings.
- Inspect the element or igniter.
- Test with an oven thermometer.
- If it still will not heat, call a technician.
What is going on inside?
An electric oven heats with a bake element at the bottom and a broil element at the top, controlled by a temperature sensor and control board. A gas oven uses an igniter that heats up and opens a safety valve so the burner can light. When an element burns out, a sensor drifts or an igniter weakens, the oven heats slowly, unevenly or not at all.
How do I stop it happening again?
- Wipe up spills so they do not burn onto elements.
- Avoid lining the oven floor with foil unless the manual allows it.
- Use self-clean sparingly; high heat stresses parts.
- Keep burner caps clean and dry.
- Use an oven thermometer to spot temperature drift early.
How much does it cost to fix?
National guides put most oven and range repairs between about $100 and $430, with Thumbtack reporting an oven repair average of about $241. A service call fee of about $50 to $100 is common, and many providers apply it to the repair. See the full cost guide.
What should I tell the technician?
- Gas or electric
- Whether the broiler works
- Whether the igniter glows
- Any error code
- The range's brand, age and model number
Then call 1-833-563-1092 and give your ZIP code so your call reaches a provider near you.
Common questions
Why is my gas oven not heating?
The most common cause is a weak igniter. It may glow but not get hot enough to open the gas valve.
Why does my oven broil but not bake?
On an electric oven, the bake element has likely failed while the broil element still works.
How much does it cost to fix an oven?
Fixr puts most oven repairs at $150 to $400 and HomeAdvisor at $100 to $430.
How long does an oven last?
NAHB data puts electric ranges at about 17 years and gas ranges at about 19 years.
Is it safe to use my oven if one element is broken?
It is best not to. A cracked element can short out, and baking with one element cooks unevenly.
Why is my oven temperature wrong?
A worn temperature sensor or a control that needs calibration can throw the reading off. A technician can test the sensor.
Get it fixed
Call 1-833-563-1092 to speak with a local appliance repair pro.
1-833-563-1092Free referral service. Have your ZIP code ready.