Electric oven not heating at all

Symptoms

• Oven display lights up but interior stays cold
• No glowing element visible when set to bake
• Oven fan or light works but no heat
• Preheat never completes

Likely causes

• CommonBurned-out bake elementThe lower heating element visibly cracks, blisters, or shows a break when it fails.
• CommonTripped breaker or partial power lossOvens use 240V, and losing one leg of power can kill heat while other functions still work.
• PossibleFaulty oven temperature sensorA failed sensor can prevent the control board from activating the heating elements at all.
• PossibleFailed relay or control boardThe board that signals the elements to heat can fail even though the display works normally.
• Less commonBlown thermal fuseSome ovens have a safety fuse that cuts all heat if the oven has previously overheated.

What to do

1. Check your breaker panel for a tripped double-pole breaker and reset it fully if found.
2. Turn the oven to bake and look through the oven window for the bottom element to glow orange within a few minutes.
3. If the element doesn't glow at all, turn off and unplug power at the breaker, then visually inspect the element for cracks, blisters, or a visible break.
4. Replace the bake element if it shows visible damage; these are straightforward to unplug and swap on most models.
5. If the element looks fine but never heats, the issue is likely the temperature sensor or control board rather than the element itself.
6. Test the temperature sensor's resistance with a multimeter if you're comfortable, comparing to the manufacturer's spec.
7. Have an appliance technician diagnose the control board or relay if the element and sensor both check out fine.

Tools and parts

• Multimeter
• Screwdriver

When to call a pro

If the element and breaker check out fine but the oven still won't heat, have a technician test the temperature sensor and control board.

Safety