What to do when your range or oven stops working in the middle of holiday baking

Steven E / Tuesday November 7, 2023

animated range malfunctioning with thanksgiving food scattered in kitchen

The holiday season is in full swing, and your kitchen is filled with the delightful aromas of freshly baked treats. Friends and family are eagerly anticipating your creations, but suddenly, disaster strikes – your range decides to call it quits.

The frustration and panic that accompany a malfunctioning range during the busiest season can be overwhelming. But thankfully there are some steps you can take to get back to holiday baking.

Try not to wait until the last minute to check or repair your appliances. If you need replacement parts, order them early to avoid shipping delays, holiday closures and out-of-stock items. The sooner you check your machine and place an order, the more likely that you’ll get the part on time. You can grab your model number and check AppliancePartsPros.com for the correct parts.

Take a deep breath, and let’s get your range up and running again.

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 What to do when your range or oven stops working in the middle of holiday baking

I.I Keep safety first

I.II The range doesn’t turn on

I.II.I Troubleshooting steps:

I.III The oven isn’t preheating

I.III.I Troubleshooting steps:

I.IV The oven turns on but doesn’t heat

I.IV.I Troubleshooting steps:

I.V The door won’t unlock

I.V.I Troubleshooting steps:

I.VI The surface burner doesn’t heat

I.VI.I Troubleshooting steps:

I.VII Additional reading

I.VII.I Share this entry

Keep safety first

Before attempting any troubleshooting, please make sure that the oven has cooled down to a safe temperature. Most ovens have safety features that prevent the door from unlocking until it’s safe to do so.

Consider wearing protective gloves when testing and handling oven components.

The range doesn’t turn on

A range that refuses to turn on could be caused by several factors ranging from simple user errors to more complex electrical problems.

Troubleshooting steps:

Check the power

Make sure the range is properly connected to a power source. Double-check the plug, outlet, or circuit breaker to make sure there’s a working power supply. Sometimes loose plugs or tripped circuit breakers can cause the range to appear non-functional.

Check the control panel lock settings

Make sure the control panel isn’t locked or in a child lock mode. Refer to your range’s manual to learn how to unlock the controls.

Check the door

Some ranges are designed with safety mechanisms that prevent the oven from turning on if the door isn’t completely closed. Make sure the oven door is securely closed before attempting to turn it on.

Test other appliances

If the range shares an electrical circuit with other appliances, check if those appliances are working. If none of them have power, there may be a broader electrical issue in your home. In such cases, you should consult an electrician.

Examine the power cord

Inspect the power cord for any visible damage, fraying, or loose connections. If you find any issues, you’ll need to replace the power cord to guarantee a safe and secure electrical connection.

Inspect the terminal block (on electric ranges)

Make sure the terminal block is free from any visible damage including fraying or loose connections. If you find any problems, replace it.

Check the outlet

If the outlet the range is connected to has no power, try plugging another appliance or device into the same outlet to verify if the issue is with the outlet itself. If it’s a problem with the outlet, contact an electrician to repair it.

Reset the circuit breaker

If the range is connected to a dedicated circuit, find the circuit breaker for the range and reset it. Sometimes circuit breakers can trip without any apparent reason and resetting them can restore power to the range.

Check the elements, burners, control knobs and touchpad

If only certain elements or burners aren’t working, there may be a specific control issue. Check if the control knobs or touchpad for the problematic elements are functioning as expected. Replace any faulty controls.

Check the thermal fuse

Modern ranges often include a thermal fuse as a safety feature. If the range has recently experienced overheating or a power surge, the thermal fuse may have blown. You’ll need to replace it if it’s no longer functional.

The oven isn’t preheating

A malfunctioning oven can be a major inconvenience, especially when it fails to preheat properly. There are several common reasons why an oven may not be reaching the desired temperature.

Troubleshooting steps:

Double-check the oven settings

Make sure that you’ve selected the correct cooking mode (bake, broil, convection, etc.) and set the desired temperature. It’s easy to overlook a simple setting mistake.

Be patient

Ovens typically take some time to preheat. Be patient and allow the oven to heat up for at least 15-20 minutes. Sometimes it may seem like the oven is not preheating when it’s just taking longer than expected.

Check the power

Check that the oven is receiving power. Make sure it’s plugged in correctly and the circuit breaker or fuse isn’t tripped. If the oven is plugged into an outlet, make sure the outlet is functioning correctly.

Check the door seal

Make sure the oven door is correctly sealed when it’s closed. A damaged or worn door gasket can let heat escape, which can prevent the oven from reaching the desired temperature. Replace the gasket if it’s worn out.

Clean the oven

A dirty oven can affect its heating performance. Grease and food residue can block the heating elements or vents. Clean the oven thoroughly, paying extra attention to the heating elements and ventilation openings.

Check the temperature calibration

Use an oven thermometer to compare the actual temperature inside the oven with the set temperature. If there’s a significant discrepancy, you may need to recalibrate your oven.

Test the temperature sensor

Modern ovens are equipped with temperature sensors to regulate the cooking temperature. A faulty oven sensor can lead to temperature inaccuracies. You can test the sensor’s resistance with a multimeter and replace it if it’s faulty.

Check the gas supply (in gas models)

If you have a gas oven, make sure the gas supply is on. Check for any gas leaks or unusual odors, and if you suspect a gas leak, turn off the gas supply immediately and contact your gas company and/or professional repair service.

Check the heating element (in electric models)

If either of the heating elements (bake and broil) are malfunctioning or have visible damage like cracks or breaks, you need to replace it.

Check the igniter and burner (in gas models)

Make sure the igniter and burner are functioning correctly. If they’re not, you’ll need to replace them.

Last resort: Replace the control board and thermostat

If all else fails, there might be an issue with the oven’s control board or thermostat. You may need to replace them.

The oven turns on but doesn’t heat

Troubleshooting steps:

Double-check the cooking mode

Make sure you’ve selected the right cooking mode (bake, broil, convection, etc.) and set the desired temperature. See if you accidentally select a “No Heat” or “Timer” mode.

Be patient

Check the door seal

Check the temperature calibration

Use an oven thermometer to compare the actual temperature inside the oven with the set temperature. If there’s a significant discrepancy, you may need to recalibrate your oven.

Check the heating element (in electric models)

Inspect the heating element for visible damage such as cracks, breaks, or burn marks. If you find any damage, replace it.

Check the igniter and gas valve (in gas models)

The igniter should glow when the oven is turned on. If it doesn’t, it may need to be replaced. Additionally, make sure the gas valve is open and providing a steady gas supply to the oven.

Test the temperature sensor

Check the thermal fuse

Modern ovens often include a thermal fuse as a safety feature. If the oven has experienced overheating or a power surge, the thermal fuse may have blown. Replace it if it’s no longer functional.

Last resort: Replace the control board

The oven control board is responsible for regulating temperature and other functions. If it’s malfunctioning, it may not send the appropriate signals to the heating elements and will need to be replaced.

The door won’t unlock

Before you start, check your oven’s user manual to see if it contains specific troubleshooting steps. Different oven models may have unique procedures for unlocking a stuck door, and the manual can provide guidance.

Troubleshooting steps:

Be patient

In some cases, the oven door may remain locked for a while, especially after a self-cleaning cycle. This is a safety feature, and the door should unlock on its own once the internal temperature returns to a safe level. Be patient and wait for a few hours or overnight.

Check the mode

Make sure the oven is not in a self-cleaning cycle or any other mode that may be preventing the door from unlocking. Cancel any active cycles and wait for the oven to reset.

Check the lock button or switch

If your oven has a dedicated oven lock button or switch, try activating and deactivating it. Sometimes this can release the lock mechanism and unlock the door.

Check the latch or lock mechanism

Inspect the latch or locking mechanism around the oven door to see if it’s physically damaged or jammed. Sometimes you can gently push or pull on the door while trying to unlock it to help release the latch.

Try power cycling

Try turning off the power to the oven by unplugging it or switching off the circuit breaker for a few minutes. Then restore power and see if the door unlocks. Power cycling can sometimes reset the control panel.

Last resort: Force a total restart

If none of the above steps work, you can turn off the oven, unplug it, wait for a few minutes, and then plug it back in and turn it on. This may reset the control panel and unlock the door.

The surface burner doesn’t heat

Troubleshooting steps:

Check the control knob

Make sure the control knob for the non-heating burner is set to the correct temperature or heat level. It’s easy to accidentally turn the knob to a lower setting without realizing it.

Double-check the burner selection

Make sure you’ve selected the right burner. Sometimes users mistakenly turn on the wrong burner. See if the control knob corresponds to the burner that isn’t heating.

Inspect the burner element (in electric models)

The issue may be with the burner element itself. Visually check the burner element for any visible damage, such as cracks or breaks. If you notice any damage, replace the burner element.

Check the burner’s ignition (in gas models)

Make sure that the igniter is sparking or the pilot light is lit. If the igniter isn’t sparking or the pilot light is out, you may need to clean or replace the igniter or reignite the pilot light.

Swap the burner

To rule out a problem with the burner itself, try swapping the non-working burner with one that you know works. If the previously non-working burner works in a different location, there might be an issue with the burner receptacle or socket.

Examine the burner receptacle or socket

Inspect the burner receptacle or socket beneath the non-working burner. Loose or damaged connections can cause heating issues. If you find any issues, replace the receptacle.

Check the circuit breaker or fuse

Electric stoves often have circuit breakers or fuses dedicated to individual burners. Check if the circuit breaker has tripped or if the fuse has blown. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse if necessary.

Check the gas supply valve (in gas models)

Make sure the gas supply valve for the non-working burner is fully open. Sometimes valves can be partially closed, which can reduce the gas flow to the burner.

Clean the burner

Over time, residue and debris can accumulate on burners and affect their performance. Clean the burner thoroughly by removing any food debris or built-up grease.

Additional reading

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you address some common range issues so you can get back to holiday cooking.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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Steven E

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.

What to do when your range or oven stops working in the middle of holiday baking

Keep safety first

The range doesn’t turn on

Troubleshooting steps:

The oven isn’t preheating

Troubleshooting steps:

The oven turns on but doesn’t heat

Troubleshooting steps:

The door won’t unlock

Troubleshooting steps:

The surface burner doesn’t heat

Troubleshooting steps:

Additional reading

AppliancePartsPros

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