Oven cooking unevenly: Common causes & how to fix

Have you ever bitten into a slice of homemade pizza only to meet the disappointment of a doughy, undercooked bottom? Or pulled out a tray of cookies from the oven to discover that half are charred shadows of their former selves, while the others barely kissed by heat? If your oven isn’t heating correctly and plays a game of hot and cold with you, you’re not alone. Uneven heating is a common kitchen problem that turns promising meals into poorly-cooked batches of frustration.

There are several possible causes behind uneven oven heating, and we’re going to help you crack the case in your oven model by doing some simple troubleshooting. So, preheat your detective skills, grab your oven mitts, and let’s work to bring back the balance to cooking and baking!

If you find out that you need replacement parts for your oven, just enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order the right ones. Most orders arrive in just a few days, and we have lots of video 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.

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or parts. Here are some safety 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 electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• 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 appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• 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 wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• If your appliance has any parts that hold water, turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Common reasons why your oven is cooking unevenly

Incorrectly placed oven racks

If your oven racks aren’t positioned correctly, your dishes could become overcooked or undercooked in certain spots. You’ll want to make sure the racks are level and appropriately spaced apart from each other. Make sure the racks are level and straight. If they aren’t, adjust or replace them as needed.

Faulty door seal/gasket

You might experience uneven cooking if your oven door seal (also known as a door gasket) isn’t sealing the gap between the oven door and the oven cavity well enough. If this is the case, hot air can escape through the gap and cause the internal temperature to fluctuate. This can cause some areas of the food to be cooked more than others. If the door seal isn’t sealing properly, heat can escape from the oven and cause the food to cook more slowly or unevenly.

How to test or check the door seal:

1. Turn off your oven and let it cool down completely.
2. Inspect the door seal for any signs of damage, such as cracks, tears, or wear. Replace it if you find any issues.
3. Check the door seal for good alignment and make sure it’s seated properly in the grooves and that there aren’t any damaged clips, depending on your model.

Blocked air vent

If your oven’s air vent is clogged or blocked, it can cause hot air to become trapped inside the oven and result in uneven cooking.

How to test or check the vent:

1. Turn off your oven and let it cool down completely.
2. Locate the air vent, which is typically located at the top of the oven.
3. Check the air vent for any blockages or debris. Use a brush or cloth to clean out anything you find.

Bad heating elements

The bake, broil and convection elements heat up the oven to the desired temperature. They’re connected to the oven’s temperature control system, which regulates the heat output to maintain a consistent internal temperature for cooking and baking. If the heating elements aren’t working correctly, the oven may not heat up evenly or at all. The broil element is located at the top, while the bake element is at the bottom.

How to test or check the elements:

1. Before starting any tests, make sure the oven is unplugged from the power outlet.
2. Look over the heating elements for any signs of damage, such as breaks, cracks, or burn marks. Check for any loose connections or corrosion. Depending on your model, you may need to remove a panel to access the element.
3. Use a multimeter to test the resistance of each element. Set the multimeter to the ohms (Ω) function and touch the leads to the terminals of the heating element. If the resistance is too high or too low, the element may be faulty and need to be replaced. You can find the acceptable resistance range on the oven’s tech sheet or on the part itself.

If any of the elements are damaged or not functioning properly, replace them with new ones.

Read more: https://www.appliancepartspros.com/b/how-to-replace-an-oven-bake-element/

Faulty oven thermostat or thermistor

The oven thermostat is a temperature-sensing device that regulates the power to the element in the oven. Its bulb/probe is typically located on the wall or ceiling of the oven.

The thermostat controls the power on and off to the heating element based on the set temperature. Newer-designed ranges and ovens use a thermistor and control board to control the oven temperature.

The thermistor (also referred to as a probe) changes its resistance based on the temperature in the oven and sends that information to the control board. Then the control board uses a relay to turn the elements on and off to maintain the oven-set temperature. If the oven controls aren’t working correctly, it can cause inconsistent temperatures in the oven.

How to test or check the thermostat:

1. Turn off the oven and unplug it from the power outlet.
2. Find the thermostat or thermistor.
3. Check for any signs of damage (cracks, breaks, burn marks, or loose connections).
4. Use a multimeter to check the thermostat for continuity or check the thermistor for resistance. Check the models’ tech sheet for an acceptable resistance chart.
5. Use an oven thermometer that’s known to be good and compare the temperature reading to the set point temperature. Replace parts as needed.

Read more: https://www.appliancepartspros.com/b/how-to-properly-calibrate-your-oven/

Defective convection fan

Convection fans are designed to circulate hot air inside the oven. They are located at the back of the oven and are connected to a motor that blows air through the blades. The hot air is then circulated around the oven cavity to distribute heat evenly. If the fan isn’t working correctly, it can lead to poor heat distribution in the oven.

How to test or check the convection fan:

1. Unplug the oven from the power outlet.
2. Find the convection fan, which is usually located behind a panel at the back of the oven.
3. Check the fan blades for any signs of damage, such as cracks, breaks, or dents.
4. Check the fan motor for any signs of overheating, such as burn marks.

Replace the fan motor if it is not working properly.

Read more: How to Clean an Oven – AppliancePartsPros Blog

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you find out why your oven isn’t heating so you can prevent future uneven cooking or baking issues.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find more resources including our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days. We can also help you troubleshoot common oven problems here.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.