Electric ovens
- Burned-out bake element. Often visible: a blister, a break or a spot that doesn't glow. The broil element may still work.
- Temperature sensor. Wrong readings mean the oven shuts heat off too early or overheats. Codes like GE F3 or F4 point here.
- Control board relay that no longer sends power to the element.
- Thermal fuse after an overheat or self-clean.
Gas ovens
- Weak igniter. The most common cause. The igniter glows but doesn't get hot enough to open the gas valve, so the oven clicks or stays cold.
- Gas safety valve not opening.
- Temperature sensor or control, same as electric.
If you smell gas, turn off the oven, open windows, don't use switches, leave the house and call your gas company.
Oven heats, but to the wrong temperature
Check with a separate oven thermometer. A difference of 25°F or more usually means a sensor or calibration issue. Many ovens allow a small calibration offset in settings.
When to call a technician
Call if the element or igniter looks damaged, if the oven shows an error code, or if the door stays locked after self-clean. We repair gas and electric ovens, ranges and wall ovens of all major brands.
More on oven repair, including error codes by brand.