How to fix an electric Whirlpool range that won’t start after a self-clean cycle

Samantha Bullington / Friday March 8, 2024

The self-cleaning cycle offers a convenient way to eliminate stubborn grease and grime splatters in your oven. If you choose to use this function, always exercise caution. Improper use combined with the high heat can potentially harm internal oven components and render your appliance inoperable after cleaning.

If your electric Whirlpool range is refusing to cooperate with you after a self-clean cycle, we’re here to help! Check out the troubleshooting tips in this guide so you can get back to making your favorite dishes.

If you need any replacement parts for your Whirlpool range, 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.

Disclaimer: The troubleshooting information provided in this article is based on general service manuals 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.

Contents hide

I How to fix an electric Whirlpool range that won’t start after a self-clean cycle

I.I Keep safety first

I.II How to troubleshoot the range

I.II.I Step 1 – Wait for the oven to cool

I.II.II Step 2 – Reset the power

I.II.III Step 3 – Inspect the wiring

I.II.IV Step 4 – Check the thermal fuse

I.II.V Step 5 – Test the door switch

I.II.VI Step 6 – Check the door latch and motor assembly

I.II.VII Step 7 – Check the control board

I.III More information

I.III.I Share this entry

Keep safety first

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 you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock.
If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

How to troubleshoot the range

Step 1 – Wait for the oven to cool

The first step is the simplest: just walk away and give your oven at least two hours to cool completely. The self-cleaning mode can heat the oven interior to high temperatures exceeding 800°F. The high heat keeps the oven door locked until it cools down to a safer temperature.

Don’t risk burning yourself by trying to force the door open after the self-cleaning cycle is done.

If the oven remains locked with an unresponsive display after it’s cooled, it’s time to move on to the next steps. Just remember: you should never attempt to service the oven until the oven cavity has reached room temperature.

Step 2 – Reset the power

Resetting the power gives the oven’s control board a chance to clear any error codes or glitches after the self-clean cycle. Here’s how to do it:

Make sure the oven has been left alone to cool for at least two hours.
Flip the breaker for the oven circuit to disconnect it from power.
Let the oven remain disconnected for at least one minute.
Flip the breaker back on.
See if the door is unlocked and if the display and controls are functioning again. If they’re not, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Inspect the wiring

Though self-cleaning ovens are designed to withstand intense heat, one of the most vulnerable internal parts is the wire harness. The wiring harness connects the heating element, sensors, and other components to the central control board so they can communicate with each other.

If the insulation gets brittle and cracks or if the oven doesn’t have adequate ventilation while self-cleaning, then you may have a damaged wiring harness.

Make sure the oven is turned off and unplugged.
Pull the unit away from the wall.
Remove the back panel.
Look over the wiring for any signs of overheating like melting and burn marks. If you see any damage, replace the wiring.

Wiring insulated by plastic or silicone carries the highest risk of overheating and degradation.

When replacing the wiring, take photos and label wires if needed before you disconnect anything so that you can install the new wiring correctly.

Step 4 – Check the thermal fuse

Note: Not all models have a thermal fuse, so you’ll need to check your unit’s manual to see if your model has one.

The thermal fuse is a safety device that shuts off power to the oven if it gets too hot. It’s designed to fail before an oven fire occurs so you and your surroundings stay safe. It’s typically positioned near the oven wiring and heating elements.

It’s possible for the self-cleaning cycle to trip the thermal fuse. Once it’s tripped, it turns off the power and needs to be replaced.

Make sure the oven is turned off and unplugged.
Find the thermal fuse near the oven wiring and heating elements.
Set a multimeter to measure continuity (it has a sideways WiFi symbol).
Use the meter probes to test the thermal fuse for continuity.
Check the meter reading. No continuity means the thermal fuse has blown and must be replaced.

Thankfully, the thermal fuse itself is inexpensive and fairly easy to access, test, and swap out. Just be certain to install a new OEM thermal fuse for your range model.

Step 5 – Test the door switch

While not directly caused by the self-cleaning cycle, a bad door switch could also prevent an oven from turning on. This safety switch disables power when the door is open. But if the contacts fail, the oven won’t work even with the door closed.

Make sure the oven is turned off and unplugged.
Set the multimeter to measure continuity.
Use the meter probes to test for continuity across the switch when toggling the door. The switch shouldn’t have continuity unless the button on the switch is pushed. It will only have continuity when the door is closed.

If you get continuity with the door open or no continuity with the door closed, then you need to replace the switch.

Step 6 – Check the door latch and motor assembly

Make sure the oven is turned off and unplugged.
Disconnect the wires from the door latch and motor assembly.
Set the multimeter to measure continuity.
Test for continuity according to your model’s technical sheet.

If you get continuity with the door latch unlocked or no continuity with the door latch locked – and the technical sheet shows the switch is a normally open switch – then you need to replace the door latch and motor assembly.

Step 7 – Check the control board

The control board is the brain of the oven. If your unit has one, it will be located behind the control panel and controls heating elements, sensors, the display, and all programming. Like other components, it’s vulnerable to damage from improper use of the self-cleaning feature. extreme self-cleaning temperatures.

Some models have a UI board, main board, appliance manager board or relay board or any combination of those. Check the tech sheet for your appliance to determine what your unit has and how to test it.

To check for control board issues:

Make sure the oven is turned off and unplugged.
Inspect the control board for any visible burns or other damage. If you find any, immediately replace the board.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the oven 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.

If the board looks OK, plug the oven back in and turn it on.
Set the multimeter to VAC.
Use the multimeter probes to check for voltage to and from the control board. Typically you should get 240 volts to the control and out to the elements, but check the tech sheet for your unit to determine what voltage reading you should have and where to test it for your model. If you don’t get the correct amount of voltage, replace the board.

READ MORE: How to Clean an Oven

More information

Thanks for stopping by! We hope this guide helped you troubleshoot your Whirlpool electric range.

If you run into any issues, you can call us at 1-877-477-7278 or start a chat with a pro on our website so we can help you through it. We’ve got many more troubleshooting and repair guides on our DIY blog and YouTube channel and all the parts you need to do it yourself at AppliancePartsPros.com. We can also help you troubleshoot common range and oven problems here.

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Samantha Bullington

Hey there, I’m Samantha and I’m super excited to be a part of the Appliance Parts Pros team! With 9 years of experience, I’ve had the awesome opportunity to assist countless customers in troubleshooting their home appliances and finding DIY repair solutions.