Electric Oven Not Heating Up? Here’s Why

This is the ultimate guide for how to fix an electric oven that won’t heat. In this guide, we will discuss why this is most likely happening and how you can fix it.

The main reasons this can happen are a faulty bake element, faulty wiring, faulty power supply, defective thermal fuse, a defective thermostat, or in rare cases a defective control board that needs to be replaced.

Simply start with the first reason on our list and work your way down. Hopefully, you’ll have your oven working again in no time. Please note that to carry out the majority of checks in this guide you will have to have a multi-meter device handy. If you don’t, you’ll need to call a technician to come and inspect your oven.

The bake element might be faulty

The main component in your electric oven responsible for heating it is the bake element. When the electrical components within the element short out or the element becomes physically broken it can stop working and your oven won’t heat.

Here’s how to inspect the bake element, and if necessary, replace it:

1. Turn your oven on so the element can heat up.
2. Check the element to see if it has heated up. You should be able to tell pretty easily (obviously don’t touch it!) by looking at it to see if it has turned red. 
3. If the element hasn’t heated up at all or if the temperature doesn’t reach the correct level, you will need to check the element with a multimeter. If the element is working correctly, move on to checking the next possible cause in our guide.
4. Before checking the element with a multimeter, turn your oven off, let it cool down, and then turn the power off. To test the element, you’ll need to remove it from the oven.
5. If the test shows the element doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If the test shows the element does have continuity check the element for any signs of damage. If cracked or worn out it will need to be replaced. If fine, proceed to check out the next possible cause below.
6. If you install a new element, turn your oven back on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, check out the next possible cause below.

You might have faulty wiring

The next possible cause of your electric oven not heating to check out is faulty wiring. This can be checked by checking the writing that connects the heating element to the control board and the power supply.

Here’s how to inspect the wiring, and if necessary, replace it:

1. Locate the heating element (just like above).
2. Inspect the wiring that connects the element to the main control board and/or to the power source.
3. If any of the wirings have frayed or become damaged in any other way, it will need to be replaced. If they’re fine, start checking the next possible cause in this guide.
4. If you do replace the wiring, make sure you turn the power off first. Once replaced, check if the problem has been solved. If not, check the next possible cause in this guide.

The power supply might be faulty

Most electric ovens require two legs of 120 volts (240 total) of current (AC) to be able to heat. If your power supply becomes faulty, your oven might not be able to heat.

Here’s how to inspect the power supply:

1. Turn the power off to your oven.
2. Test the power outlet with a multimeter to ensure there is enough current to power your oven. If it’s faulty, replace the outlet.
3. Next, check the circuit breaker in your fuse box to ensure it hasn’t tripped. You should also reset the circuit breaker to see if that helps. You can then test if the oven works. If not, check out the next possible cause of the problem below.

The thermal fuse might be faulty

If your oven has a thermal fuse (check your user manual) it might have blown which will stop your oven from working. The purpose of the thermal fuse is to monitor the temperature in your oven and turn it off if it overheats.

Here’s how to inspect, and if necessary, replace the thermal fuse:

1. Turn the power to your oven off.
2. Locate the thermal fuse (check your manual if necessary).
3. Remove the fuse and then check it with a multimeter for continuity.
4. If it passes the multimeter test, move on to the next step. If it doesn’t pass the test, you will need to replace it.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

The thermostat might be faulty

Some electric ovens have a thermostat with a sensor attached that monitors the oven temperature. When the thermostat believes the oven is at the right temperature, it tells the control board to reduce the voltage being sent to the element. If the thermostat becomes faulty, your oven might not heat.

Here’s how to inspect, and if necessary, replace the thermostat:

1. Turn the power to your oven off.
2. Locate the thermostat (check your manual if necessary).
3. Test the thermostat with a multimeter for continuity.
4. If it passes the multimeter test you can move on to the next step. If it doesn’t pass the test you will need to replace it.
5. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

The control board might be defective

If you still haven’t found the cause of your electric oven not heating, your final option is to replace the main control board in your oven. However, given the risk of this not solving the problem, you might be better off getting a 2nd opinion from a technician or purchasing a new oven.