Ten Common Oven Problems and their Solutions

When the oven thermostat malfunctions, the temperature reading accuracy on the oven board is no longer reliable.

A day may come when the oven suddenly starts churning out undercooked, overcooked, or charred food. Just like with any problem in life, there's never an ideal time for an oven to break down. But there are some warning signs to watch that can provide a heads-up before the oven stops working. Consider the following ten common oven problems, how to spot them, and how to fix them.

Inaccurate temperature

When the oven thermostat malfunctions, the temperature reading accuracy on the oven board is no longer reliable. This means the food may come out unevenly cooked or burned. Using a regular thermometer to test the oven's temperature and compare that with the oven board reading is possible. This indicates whether the oven thermostat should be recalibrated. To fix this issue, locate the manufacturer's manual. Follow the instructions to recalibrate the temperature knobs by rotating the rear screws.

The oven does not heat

If the oven isn't heating, the most common reason is a damaged igniter that must be replaced. Locate the manufacturer's manual and follow the instructions to replace the igniter on the oven. Remember to turn the oven power off completely before doing any work to avoid accidents.

The oven light doesn't turn on

When the oven light doesn't turn on, the usual culprit is a burned-out bulb. Use the manufacturer's manual and follow the instructions to replace the bulb. If this doesn't solve the issue, the problem could be more than an electrical issue, and professional help is likely necessary.

The burner elements aren't working

The burner elements of an oven should start to glow red when they are working correctly. If they don't, there may be a problem. This can be more complicated, as the oven power must be turned off, the burner elements removed, tested, and then repaired or replaced as needed. This repair can quickly become complicated, so professional help is recommended.

The oven door isn't closing properly

This is a more common problem with older ovens. Often, the seal around the sides of the oven door causes poor closure. Over time, the seal can become warped, damaged, or degraded. In most cases, the old seal can be peeled off, and an aftermarket stick-on seal can replace it.

The oven door doesn't close evenly

When the oven door doesn't close evenly, it could be due to hinge failure or warping from loose screws. Often, older ovens begin to experience hinge issues that cause the oven door to fall open constantly or to get stuck and fail to open. First, try to loosen the screws around the inside of the oven door. Push down on the inside panel and tighten the screws to see if this resolves the issue. Hinges can be complicated to locate and replace, especially in models where the hinge is mounted to the central oven frame itself. Consider calling a pro, as this job can quickly become complicated.

The oven doesn't turn on

If the oven does not power on, the breaker may be tripped. Sometimes, this happens when a circuit is overloaded, or there is a minor power outage. Head to the breaker box and look for a tripped switch. Switch it entirely off and then back on. If this doesn't restore the oven's power, an electrical issue may require professional help.

The oven is stuck on the self-cleaning cycle

Self-cleaning ovens usually have a self-locking feature that does not disarm until the entire cycle is complete. But sometimes, an older oven's self-locking feature can malfunction. Try to reset the oven by unplugging it, waiting for 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in, then trying to open the oven door again. If this doesn't work, try turning the circuit breaker off and back on. Otherwise, try restarting the oven's self-cleaning cycle, letting it run for a few minutes, and then canceling it. If none of these methods resolve the issue, call a professional to diagnose the problem.

The self-cleaning cycle doesn't run

The self-cleaning feature is a plus for busy homeowners who need more time to scrub out their oven after every big meal, but sometimes the self-cleaning cycle doesn't work, and it can be challenging to figure out why. In most cases, it's best to contact an expert to repair an oven's self-cleaning function.

The oven shows signs of internal rust

Older ovens can sometimes develop rust due to ever-present moisture from steam during cooking cycles. Once an oven begins to rust from the inside out, little can be done unless undergoing a significant repair is possible. This is an excellent time to talk with a professional about the options to replace the outdated oven with a new model.

Freedom Appliance of Tampa Bay has 13 years experience in professional repair and installation of all laundry and kitchen appliances and dryer duct cleaning. Call 813-302-7672 today!