Is your oven not working properly? Don’t panic, Complete Appliance Care, Inc. is ready to help you! For oven repair, there are many possible problems that can be addressed at home without having to spend time and effort on professional oven repair. Even if your oven is heating unevenly, the door won’t seal, or a burner won’t light, this guide will detail seven easy fixes.
Don’t Panic: 7 Oven Repair Tricks Every Home Cook Should Know
Knowing some basic oven maintenance tips will help save you time and money. By knowing a few basic troubleshooting methods, you will be more willing to work on minor issues and avoid major problems while ensuring the oven continues to work efficiently and safely for your household’s needs.
Keep reading to find the right fix for your faulty oven:
The range burner of the electric stove isn’t heating
An electric stove’s range burners need electricity to heat. At times, a burner doesn’t heat, and your oven has heating issues. If your oven won’t heat, and it is because the range burner is not heating,
How to fix it?
- Remove the faulty burner for the one you know is working. Unplug the dryer from the burner socket and plug in the alternative burner.
- If you plug in the burner that is known to work, your good burner should heat thermally hot. Therefore, you must replace the burner that is giving you issues.
- If the burner does not heat, you need to check your infinite switch and your socket to determine if there is any damage. Depending on the damage, you may need to replace these components.
The gas burner is not functioning.
If your electric ignition is inconsistent, you can use a match to ignite your gas oven. However, if your gas burner is not functioning, you can refer to the steps below to troubleshoot the burner issue.
How to repair a gas burner?
- First, remove the burner grate, cap, and base.
- Using either compressed air or a toothpick, clean any food debris.
- Also, clean the burner grate, burner cap, and burner base.
- You should see a wire connecting the igniter to the module. Check if there is any loose connection. If loose, tighten it.
- Still not working? You will now need to call a pro.
The oven won’t heat up to the right temperature.
This issue could involve the temperature sensor, heating element, or igniter. Here are some steps to follow if your oven fails to heat to temperature.
- First, check that the oven igniter is not touching the inside of the oven.
- Next, take an Ohmmeter to see if the sensor is working, and you will observe that the resistance increases as the oven temperature rises.
- If it is not working, replace it, and make sure to recalibrate the oven. If you check all this and replace as necessary. Heat the oven to 350°F, then every 20 minutes for the next 2 hours, take readings of the temperature of the oven.
- After the readings, adjust the oven temperature dial as needed.
The door of the oven won’t shut.
There may be situations when your oven may not heat up to the realization that your oven door needs repair. If your oven door is not closing, using the oven is not safe at all.
Below you can find steps for addressing the problem.
- First, shut off the power and unplug the oven.
- Lift the door directly upward. If the door does not come out, look for screws that may need to be removed with a screwdriver first.
- Check the hinges to see if they are working. If they are not, replace the door hinges.
- Check to see if the springs are broken, and if they are, replace the old springs with new ones.
- Replace the silicon or rubber gasket around the door.
If the door still will not close, you need to check the door sensor. If you do need to check the door sensor, you may want to contact a professional technician.
The oven doesn’t self-clean
Similar to an oven that won’t heat up, this is another common concern of many people. Below are some little tips that may be beneficial if your oven will not self-clean.
How it repair it?
- Check that you are starting the cycle correctly.
- You have to set the timers and knobs correctly.
- Don’t expect too much from the self-clean feature. Some large spills will still need manual cleanup.
The interior light is out.
Similar to other light bulbs, the bulb located in your oven can occasionally burn out. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Here’s how to change your oven bulb:
- Remove the bulb cover, which should turn counterclockwise about a quarter turn.
- Remove the old bulb, pulling it straight out.
- Install the new bulb (make sure it is the same type as the old one) using a dry cloth or gloves.
The oven is not heating at all!
When an oven is not heating, it is typically a defective igniter (in a gas oven) or heating element (in the case of an electric oven). If you feel comfortable, you may be able to replace the heating unit or igniter yourself.
How to fix it?
- Make sure to power down your oven before performing any service.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the old igniter or heating element. The heating element and igniter are usually located inside the oven.
- For the igniter, you may have to pull out the broiler or storage drawer.
- If your heating unit is hidden, you may need to call an oven repair person to change it for you.
Conclusion
Having issues with your oven can be frustrating, but most common oven repairs are simpler than you can imagine. With these handy steps for repairing your oven, you can typically remedy the problem on your own, without having to call someone. Just remember to always be safe by unplugging or turning off the oven before you get started, and feel free to call someone professional if your oven repair attempt is not successful, or you feel uncomfortable. With a little effort and care, your oven can be back in service for many years to come!
FAQs
How often should I clean my oven?
Clean your oven every 3 to 6 months, or after major spills, for best performance.
Is it safe to use an extension cord with my oven?
No, always plug your oven directly into a suitable wall outlet.
What should I do if my oven display is blank or flickering?
Check the circuit breaker and ensure the oven is receiving power.