Kenmore Oven Not Heating: Frigidaire vs Whirlpool Diagnosis

Quick Answer

A Kenmore oven that is not heating usually indicates a burned-out bake element in electric models or a failed igniter in gas units. The primary fix is testing these components for continuity and replacing the defective part.

Kenmore does not manufacture its own ovens. Sears sources them from Frigidaire and Whirlpool, and your model number prefix tells you which one you have. Models starting with 790 are Frigidaire-built; models starting with 110 or 665 are typically Whirlpool-built. This matters because the components, part numbers, and diagnostic approaches differ significantly between the two platforms when your oven stops producing heat.

KenmoreOvenSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

15–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$0 (no parts needed)

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flat-head screwdriver (1/4 inch)

Kenmore Oven Not Heating: Frigidaire vs Whirlpool Diagnosis

In most service calls I see on Kenmore ranges, the no-heat complaint comes down to one of three things: a burned-out bake element on electrics, a weak igniter on gas models, or a blown thermal fuse on both types. The tricky part with Kenmore is that you are really diagnosing a Frigidaire or a Whirlpool hiding under a Kenmore badge. Pull the model number off the door frame, identify your OEM, and the right parts become much easier to find. Repair parts typically run $20 to $80, and most homeowners can handle this job in under two hours.

Common Causes

Bake element burned open: the lower heating element develops a visible crack or blister and shows infinite resistance on a multimeter, breaking the 240V circuit completely.
Weak gas oven igniter: the silicon carbide igniter glows orange but draws less than 3.2 amps, which is insufficient current to open the Robertshaw or White-Rodgers gas safety valve.
Blown thermal fuse: a one-time safety device mounted on the oven cavity back wall or behind the control panel reads open after the oven overheated, cutting power to the entire bake circuit.
Failed oven temperature sensor (RTD probe): the sensor probe, mounted inside the upper-right corner of the oven cavity, drifts out of specification or shorts, sending incorrect resistance readings to the control board.
Burned control board relay: the relay that switches 240V to the bake element welds open or fails, preventing power from reaching the element even when the board is functioning correctly.
Failed bake element wire harness connector: the spade connectors on the back wall where the element plugs in corrode or arc, creating high resistance that prevents the element from drawing full power.

Symptoms You May Notice

Oven preheats for 15 to 20 minutes but never reaches the set temperature, or the preheat indicator never chimes.
Bake element shows a visible crack, blister, or burn hole when inspected through the bottom of the oven cavity.
Gas oven igniter glows dim orange for 90 seconds or more without the burner lighting, then shuts off.
Broil works normally but bake produces no heat, or vice versa, pointing to a specific element or relay rather than the sensor or control board.
Oven trips the circuit breaker or blows a fuse in the home electrical panel when a bake cycle is started, indicating an element is shorted to ground.

Can you reset a Kenmore oven to clear the NOT-HEATING code?

Unplug the Kenmore range from the wall outlet, or switch off the dedicated 40 to 50 amp breaker at the panel. Wait a full 5 minutes to allow the control board capacitors to discharge completely. Restore power and attempt a bake cycle. On Frigidaire-made models (790 series), you can also press CANCEL three times in a row to clear any stored error codes. The oven should begin preheating within 90 seconds of pressing START. If the same no-heat condition returns, the reset did not fix the root cause and component testing is required.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriver (1/4 inch)Digital multimeter with continuity and resistance settingsClamp meter (for gas igniter current draw test)Non-contact voltage testerNut driver set (1/4 inch and 5/16 inch)Work gloves (heat-resistant for element removal)Flashlight or headlampNeedle-nose pliers (for spade connector removal)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Frigidaire-made Kenmore (790 series): Press and hold BAKE and BROIL simultaneously for 5 seconds until the display shows a test code. Press START to cycle through fault codes. Whirlpool-made Kenmore: Press CANCEL, then press and hold START for 5 seconds. The display will show any stored fault codes. Clear codes by pressing CANCEL three times. Note: not all models support a service mode. If this sequence does not respond, proceed with component-level testing.

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range1050–1150 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Kenmore oven was made by Frigidaire or Whirlpool?

Look at the first three digits of your model number, found on a sticker inside the oven door frame. Models in the 790 series (790.XXXXX) are Frigidaire-built. Models starting with 110, 665, or 796 are typically Whirlpool-built. This distinction matters for parts ordering because while the symptoms are the same, the actual component part numbers differ between manufacturers. Getting the wrong part is the most common DIY mistake on Kenmore appliances.

Can I replace a Kenmore bake element myself, and how much does it cost?

Yes, bake element replacement is one of the most beginner-friendly appliance repairs. The element plugs into two spade connectors at the back wall of the oven cavity and is held by two screws. Total time is about 20 minutes. Replacement elements for Frigidaire-platform Kenmore ovens (part 316075104 or equivalent) run $20 to $40. Whirlpool-platform elements (part W10779716 or equivalent) are in the same price range. Buy OEM or a reputable aftermarket brand like Edgewater Parts.

My Kenmore gas oven igniter glows but the burner never lights. Is the igniter bad?

Almost certainly yes. A glowing igniter that fails to light the burner within 60 to 90 seconds is the textbook sign of a weak igniter. Over time, the silicon carbide element degrades and its current draw drops below the 3.2 amp threshold needed to open the gas valve. The igniter still looks like it is working because it does produce a faint glow, but it lacks the heat to trigger the valve. Replacement igniters run $25 to $60 and the repair takes about 30 minutes.

My Kenmore oven stopped heating right after a self-clean cycle. What happened?

Self-clean cycles run at extreme temperatures, around 850 to 900 degrees F, and they frequently kill either the bake element or the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is designed to blow in exactly this scenario as a safety measure. It is a $10 to $20 part, but you must identify why it blew before replacing it, otherwise the new fuse will blow again. Also check the oven temperature sensor, which can fail from the sustained high heat of a self-clean cycle.

Is it worth repairing a Kenmore oven that is 10 to 12 years old?

For most single-component failures on a 10 to 12 year old Kenmore, yes, repair is worth it. A bake element or igniter repair for $30 to $80 in parts extends the oven's life by several more years. The calculus changes if the control board has failed, which runs $100 to $250 in parts plus labor. At that point, compare the repair cost to a new mid-range range at $600 to $900. If the total repair exceeds half the replacement cost, replacement often makes more sense.

What is the part number for a Kenmore 790 series oven temperature sensor?

For most Frigidaire-made Kenmore 790 series ranges, the oven temperature sensor part number is 316490000 or the updated cross-reference 5304506468. Always verify using your full 10-digit model number at a parts supplier. The sensor is a simple two-wire probe and takes about 15 minutes to replace. At room temperature it should read approximately 1080 to 1100 ohms on a multimeter. A sensor reading outside this range by more than 50 ohms should be replaced.

Models Known to Experience NOT-HEATING Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore ovens with this error code. Common model numbers include:

790.92303010, 790.75503310, 790.92813013, 790.48773900, 790.71382701, 790.92682900, 790.75603310, 790.46712601

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026