Whirlpool range oven not heating? Here’s how to test the sensor
Steven E / Thursday April 3, 2025
If your Whirlpool electric range oven isn’t heating, the problem may be with the oven temperature sensor. Before you call for a repair technician, you can quickly test the part yourself to determine if it’s the source of the issue. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll have the knowledge to troubleshoot the problem and get your appliance back up and running.
If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your appliance, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.
The troubleshooting information in this article is based on model WFC340S0AB and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.
Tools and materials
- Multimeter
- Phillips head screwdriver
The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.
Safety precautions
When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
- Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
- Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
- Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
- Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
- Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance.
- Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
- Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury.
- If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it.
- Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
- When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
Testing steps
LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the appliance needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.
- Unplug the range or turn off the circuit breaker to the range.
- Remove the rear panel to access the oven temperature sensor connection.
- Disconnect the plug connecting the oven temperature sensor to the range.
- Set your multimeter to the resistance (Ohms) setting.
- Place the multimeter probes on the two pins that connect to the oven temperature sensor.
- With the sensor at room temperature, you should see a resistance reading of approximately 1080 Ohms.
- If the reading is significantly different from 1080 Ohms, the oven temperature sensor needs to be replaced.
- If the sensor tests good, the issue is likely something else preventing the oven from heating.
- If the oven temperature sensor is faulty, you will need to replace it.
- Reconnect the sensor plug and replace the rear panel when the testing is complete.
- Plug the power cord back in or turn the circuit breaker back on.
Additional information
Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Whirlpool range working again.
If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.
If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.
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With nearly a decade of experience in providing top-notch customer service regarding appliance parts and repair, Steven enjoys sharing practical advice, troubleshooting tips, and interesting information to help readers stay informed.