Oven Not Working? Common Causes and How to Fix It

When your oven not working, a kitchen appliance that heats food using electric or gas elements. Also known as a cooker, it’s one of the most relied-on devices in your home. It’s not just inconvenient—it can throw off your whole day. Maybe the display is blank, the heating element won’t turn on, or the oven heats unevenly. Before you call a technician, there are a few simple things you can check yourself. Most of the time, it’s not a major breakdown—it’s a loose connection, a blown fuse, or a faulty thermostat.

One of the most common reasons an electric oven, a kitchen appliance that uses electrical resistance to generate heat stops working is a power issue. Check your circuit breaker. If it tripped, reset it. If it trips again, there’s likely a short in the wiring or a failing component. Another frequent culprit is the oven thermostat, a sensor that regulates temperature by turning the heating elements on and off. If it’s inaccurate or broken, your oven might not heat at all, or it might overheat. You can test it with a multimeter, or just replace it—it’s often cheaper than a service call.

Don’t overlook the heating element, the metal coil inside the oven that glows red when powered. If it’s cracked, discolored, or doesn’t glow at all, it’s dead. Replacing it is usually a simple job if you’re comfortable with basic tools. And if your oven has a self-clean cycle, that’s often where things go wrong—high heat can fry wires or damage the control board. If the oven turns on but doesn’t heat, or heats slowly, the issue is likely one of these three: power, thermostat, or element.

It’s also worth checking the oven door seal, the rubber gasket around the door that keeps heat inside. A worn seal won’t stop your oven from turning on, but it can make it work harder, leading to overheating or uneven cooking. If you notice the door doesn’t close tightly or you see gaps, it’s time for a new gasket.

Some people think they need an electrician for any oven problem. But unless you’re dealing with wiring behind the wall or a faulty breaker panel, most oven repairs are handled by appliance technicians—not electricians. A licensed appliance pro can diagnose the issue in under an hour and often fix it the same day. And if the repair cost is over half the price of a new oven, it’s usually smarter to replace it.

Below, you’ll find real fixes from people who’ve been there. From how to reset a stuck oven to what to look for when the display goes dark, these guides cut through the noise. No fluff. No theory. Just what actually works.