Gas Oven Not Heating Up? Here’s the Recipe For Troubleshooting

You’ve returned home from work, spent time prepping dinner, and are ready to throw your meal in the oven and relax while it cooks. There’s only one problem: Your gas oven won’t heat up!

When your oven goes on the fritz, it can throw a wrench in your already busy schedule. You want to fix the issue ASAP to return to delicious, home-cooked meals. If your oven is not heating up the way it should, this guide will help you get to the root of the problem.

Parts of a Gas Oven

Knowing your oven’s components can help inform where to look when troubleshooting problems. Some of the main parts you should know include:

• Pilot flame (older models): Some older ovens come with a pilot flame, which is a small, constantly burning flame. This flame lights the gas when you turn on your oven.
• Igniter: Most gas ovens have an electrical component responsible for helping ignite the gas. The igniter could be an electric spark or a heated metal plate.
• Gas valve: The gas valve controls the gas flow into the oven. The gas reaches the burner while the oven is on and stops when the oven is off.
• Thermostat: The thermostat monitors the oven temperature and opens or closes the gas valve to keep the oven at your desired temperature.
• Temperature sensor: Going hand-in-hand with the thermostat, the temperature sensor helps monitor the temperature inside the oven and sends signals to the thermostat.
• Control panel: The control panel includes the buttons or dials where you set the oven temperature, choose cooking modes, and control other settings.

Possible Reasons Your Gas Oven Isn’t Heating Up

With so many parts helping your appliance work, it can be hard to know where to start when you have problems. If your gas range oven is not working, check these potential causes.

You could have electrical issues.

While a gas stove differs from an electric one, it still uses electricity to power some components. Check for tripped circuit breakers. If the breaker has tripped, flip it back to “On.”

If the circuit breaker is fine, check the outlet. A damaged outlet will prevent your appliance from working. Try other electronics in the outlet or plug your oven into a different outlet. If nothing’s working, you may have a problem with the oven itself.

There could be a disruption in the gas supply.

Gas oven pilot light on but no heat? Both your stovetop and oven not igniting? You may have an issue with your gas supply.

Your oven needs a steady supply of natural gas to work. Check your gas valve to ensure it’s on, and test if other gas devices in your home are working. You can also contact your gas company about any recent services or outages.

Your gas valve might not be working properly.

The gas valve manages the flow of gas into your oven. If it malfunctions or doesn’t open, not enough gas will reach your oven to heat it. A faulty gas valve can be tricky, and you might need a professional’s help to diagnose the problem and replace it.

The control panel could be acting up.

You use the control panel to tell the oven what temperature it should be, along with other settings. A damaged or faulty control panel might send the wrong signals to the oven, causing it not to heat. Look for physical signs of damage on the control panel and contact an oven repair professional for help.

The thermostat might be off.

If your thermostat is off, it will cause your oven to reach the wrong temperature. It might not get hot enough.

Place an oven thermometer on the center rack before preheating your oven. If the thermometer reading differs from your oven’s temperature by more than 15 degrees, you might need to calibrate your oven.

The igniter may be broken or dirty.

The igniter might be the most common culprit behind gas oven issues. You should check the igniter if your gas oven won’t light, but the pilot light is on, or if your oven doesn’t work but the stovetop does.

Food and grime can easily build up on the igniter, preventing it from sparking to heat your oven. Follow your oven’s owner manual for guidance on cleaning or caring for the igniter. If you clean the igniter and it still doesn’t work, you may need to replace it.

The temperature sensor might be out of place.

The temperature sensor is a thin tube at the back of your oven. It must be in the right position to work properly, and even a slight movement can cause heating issues. Make sure the sensor is at a 90° angle.

If you’ve adjusted the temperature sensor to the right position but still have problems, contact an appliance repair expert for help.

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