Oven Not Heating Up: Causes and Fix

Quick Answer

On an electric oven, a cracked or burned-out bake element is the most common cause. On a gas oven, a weak igniter that glows but never lights the burner is usually to blame. Both parts cost $20 to $50 and take about 30 minutes to swap.

Look, a no-heat oven isn't going to fix itself, and the longer you wait the more takeout you're ordering. On gas ovens especially, a weak igniter that won't fully open the gas valve can cause a small gas accumulation before it finally catches, which gives you that soft 'whump' when it does light. Most fixes here are under $50 and take less time than waiting around for a repair tech to show up.

GenericOvenSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate85% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$5 – $45

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Quarter-inch nut driver

Oven Not Heating Up: Causes and Fix

So here's the deal: this is probably the single most common oven service call I get. Electric ovens, the bake element burns out. Gas ovens, the igniter weakens over time. I replaced three bake elements last week alone, all different brands, same exact story. Parts are cheap and this is genuinely DIY-friendly unless it turns out to be the control board, which is a different conversation.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Burned-out bake element (electric) or weak igniter (gas)50%

Blown thermal fuse cutting power to the element20%

Faulty temperature sensor sending wrong readings15%

Defective control board not sending voltage10%

Gas safety valve stuck closed (gas ovens only)5%

Symptoms You May Notice

The oven preheats for 20-plus minutes but your thermometer shows it never broke 200 degrees
On an electric oven, the bake element at the bottom stays completely dark when the oven's on, no orange glow whatsoever
Gas igniter glows for 90 seconds or more but the burner never lights and you don't get any flame
Casseroles and baked goods come out raw in the middle even after you give them extra time in there
Oven display shows 350 but the food is telling you a completely different story

Can you reset a Generic oven to clear the SYMPTOM code?

Flip the oven's breaker off and leave it off for a full 60 seconds, don't rush it. Then flip it back on, set the oven to 350 degrees, and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes. If you've got an oven thermometer, put it on the center rack and check whether it's actually hitting temperature. Comes up to 350 and holds? You're good. Still no heat after the reset? Time to run the diagnostics below.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverQuarter-inch nut driverMultimeter with ohms and continuity settingNeedle-nose pliers for wire harness connectorsOven thermometer to verify repairWork glovesFlashlight or headlamp

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range20–50 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Universal Oven Bake ElementWB44K5012 · $15–$35	WB44K5012	$15 – $35
Gas Oven Igniter (flat style)WB13K21 · $20–$45	WB13K21	$20 – $45
Oven Thermal FuseWP3196548 · $5–$15	WP3196548	$5 – $15

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my oven work on broil but not bake?

The broil element up top and the bake element on the bottom are two completely separate heating loops. If broil works fine but bake doesn't, the bake element itself has failed, plain and simple. Check it visually first since a burned-out element usually looks obviously wrong, cracked or blistered or with a hole in it. If it looks OK to your eyes, test it with a multimeter. You're looking for 20 to 50 ohms. An OL reading means it's open and needs replacement. This is a $20 part and a 20-minute fix.

How much does it cost to fix an oven that won't heat?

Bake elements run $15 to $35 and take maybe 20 minutes to swap, so that's a $35 fix tops if you do it yourself. Gas igniters are $20 to $45. Thermal fuses are $5 to $15 and take five minutes. Now if it turns out to be the control board, that part alone runs $100 to $250, and at that price point you really want a tech to confirm the diagnosis before you order anything. I've seen people buy control boards on a guess and then find out it was a $12 fuse the whole time.

Can a power surge stop my oven from heating?

Yes, absolutely. A surge can blow the thermal fuse or damage the electronic control board, sometimes both. If your oven stopped working during a storm or right after a breaker tripped, check the thermal fuse first. It's the cheapest and easiest thing to test and it's a really common surge casualty. If the fuse tests good and the oven still won't heat, then you're probably looking at control board damage, which is when you want to get a tech involved to confirm before you start ordering expensive parts.

How do I know if it's the bake element or the control board?

Test the bake element first since it's the cheap, easy answer. If the element reads OL or infinity on your multimeter, order the element and swap it, done. If the element tests good at 20 to 50 ohms but the oven still won't heat, now you're looking at the control board territory. Honestly, before you spend $150 to $250 on a board, get a tech to confirm that diagnosis. I've seen way too many people throw a board at a problem and still have the same issue because something else was causing it.

Is it safe to use my oven if it heats unevenly but still kind of works?

Uneven heating usually means something's partially failed, maybe a bake element that's only heating from part of its surface, or a sensor reading slightly off. You can use it for simple stuff but don't count on it for anything where temperature actually matters. Undercooking chicken because your oven runs 75 degrees cool isn't just annoying, it's a real food safety issue. Get it fixed before you cook anything critical. Baked goods will tell you right away if your oven's off, so use those as your canary.

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 16, 2026