Repair Guide: Oven Not Working or Lighting
The oven is an essential part of our kitchen. If your oven isn’t operating, you need to figure out what’s wrong so you can fix the problem right away. The type of oven you have and what fuel type it uses are factors that dictate the steps you should take to determine what’s wrong and how to get it working again.
This article will help you learn more about common issues that may be causing your oven to not work, such as the bottom element of the oven is not working, the oven fan is not working, the oven temperature control is not working and more.
Oven Repair: The First Steps to Take
If you find that your electric or gas oven is not starting, start by checking:
- The electrical supply. Is the appliance plugged into a grounded outlet with a dedicated circuit (240V receptacle for electric range) and is the outlet working? You should also check that a fuse hasn’t blown or that the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.
- Is an error code being displayed? If the oven is displaying an error code, one option is to reset the appliance.
- Is the Control Lock function on the oven control console turned OFF? Typically, you can reset it by pushing and holding it for 3 seconds.
Simply resetting the power to your appliance is sometimes all it takes to resolve the issue. To reset the power on your kitchen appliance:
- Power the unit off by turning off the circuit breaker(s) for one minute.
- Power the unit back on by turning on the circuit breaker(s).
- Monitor the oven/range for one minute to see if the error code returns, if the error code was initially displayed.
- Use the oven to verify that it is working as intended.
The table of contents in your owner’s manual should let you know if your particular model has a Control Lock feature. This manual should also provide instructions on how to locate and reset it.
Common Issues with Electric Ovens
Here are some potential causes and solutions if you find that your oven has stopped working.
The Control is Displaying F9 or F9 E0 Error Code
For KitchenAid® ovens, power outages can often cause an unexpected amount of power supply line "noise". This may result in the control detecting the wrong voltage amount and it could display a F9 or F9 E0 error code. Also, if any keys were pressed prior to the 10-second delay interval on the power-up, the F9 or F9 E0 error code may appear.
If the range control continues to show a “F9” or “F9, E0” error code, the electrical outlet in your home may actually be miswired. Try disconnecting the power and contacting an electrician to inspect the electrical supply.
No or Partial Display on Gas or Electric Ovens
You may have to reset the power using the steps provided earlier in this article.
Steps to Troubleshoot Some Common Issues With Electric Ovens
Nothing Will Operate on an Electric Oven
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| The power supply cord is unplugged. | Insert the plug into a grounded outlet. |
| Newly installed or new electrical connection | If you recently installed an oven, you may have made a mistake which is preventing your oven from working. Check that the following were done correctly:
|
| A fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has tripped. | Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. If this doesn’t work, contact an electrician. |
| Are the Controls Set Correctly for the Cycle or Function | To properly set your controls, consult the Owner's Manual. |
Oven Cooking Results Are Not as Expected
If what you’re cooking is not coming out as expected, here are some common causes as to why it might be happening and some solutions you may want to try.
The solutions provided might vary based on the oven model. Always check and follow your appliance use and care instructions before beginning any task, as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Range is not level. | Level the range per the Installation Instructions. |
| The temperature set was incorrect. | Make sure you properly followed the recipe. |
| Oven temperature is Too High or Too Low | It’s never recommended to use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the oven. The elements can cycle on and off as needed to provide a consistent temperature. Temperature cycling may cause the oven to run either slightly hot or slightly cool at any point. This is because most thermometers are slow to react to temperature changes and will be unable to provide an accurate reading. Some people find that their new oven cooks faster or slower than their previous model. If this is happening to you, you can adjust the temperature to personalize it to your cooking needs. Many oven models can be adjusted to operate and display either in Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees. Refer to the Use & Care guide for directions on how to calibrate your oven |
| Oven was not preheated. | If you’re baking, you should preheat your oven to achieve the intended cooking results. If you’re roasting, you don't have to wait for the oven Preheat cycle to finish before putting food in unless it is recommended in the recipe. |
| Racks were positioned improperly. | Proper rack positioning depends on what you are baking and the number of racks you are using. Refer to the Use and Care guide for more information. |
| Not enough air circulation around bakeware. | To achieve evenly cooked food, hot air must be able to circulate. Generally, allow 2" (5 cm) of space around bakeware and oven walls. Make sure that no bakeware piece is directly over another. |
| Batter distributed unevenly in the pan. | Confirm that the batter is level in the pan. |
| Darker browning of food caused by dull or dark bakeware. | Generally, lower the oven temperature 25°F (15°C) or move the rack to a higher position in the oven. |
| Lighter browning of food caused by shiny or light-colored bakeware. | Reposition the rack so that it’s lower in the oven. |
| Incorrect length of cooking time was used. | Adjust cooking time as needed. |
| Oven door was not closed. | Bakeware can sometimes keep the door from closing. |
| Oven door was opened during cooking. | Looking into the oven to check on what you’re cooking can release oven heat and result in longer cooking times. |
| Oven door was open for too long. | Some models’ heating elements will shut off if the door is open for too long. |
| Rack is too close to the burner, making baked items too brown on bottom. | Reposition the rack so that it’s higher in the oven. |
| Pie crusts browning too quickly. | Wrap aluminum foil around the edge of the crust and/or reduce baking temperature. |
Oven Indicator Lights Flash
The display may flash after it’s been powered up or after a loss of power. Pressing CANCEL can usually clear the issue.
Oven Won’t Work
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Delay Start function is set. | If your model has a delay start function, make sure it is not activated because if it is then the oven will not work. Refer to the Use and Care guide to learn how to deactivate this feature. |
| Control is in demo mode. | Is the demo mode activated? If it is then the oven will not work. Refer to the Use and Care guide for instructions on how to deactivate demo mode |
| Control lock is ON. | Press and hold CONTROL LOCK for about 3 seconds. |
Common Issues with Gas and Dual Fuel Range
Always follow the instructions in your appliance Use and Care guide before starting, as it should be your primary source of information.
Cooktop Turns On - Clicking Sound or No Clicking Sound
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| If you have a storage drawer there may be a utensil causing a problem. | Remove all the utensils from the storage drawer and then test the oven operation. |
| Do you use an oven bottom liner or aluminum foil to line the bottom of your oven? | This can block air or gas flow to the burner. |
| Is the gas Pressure Regulator Shut-Off Valve turned ON? | Gas ranges may have a shut-off valve located on the pressure regulator.
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| Is the unit power cord connected to a grounded, operational outlet? | Correct operation of the surface burner and oven ignitors is dependent on the unit having a good ground path for the spark to travel to.
|
| Is the main gas valve turned on? | Check to make sure that the main gas valve is turned on. If the range is newly installed or has been re-connected to the gas supply, turn on any one of the surface burner knobs to release air from the gas line. Refer to the Installation Instructions for detailed information on the main gas valve. |
Nothing Will Turn on or Work - Gas and Dual Fuel Range
The solutions provided might vary based on the oven model. Always check and follow your appliance’s use and care instructions before beginning any task, as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Is the oven control set correctly? | Refer to your Owner's Manual for more information. |
| Is the unit power cord connected to a grounded, operational outlet? | Correct operation of surface burner and oven ignitors is dependent on the unit having a good ground path for the spark to travel to.
|
| Has a household circuit breaker tripped or fuse blown? |
|
| For models with an energy saving feature, is the display blank? | For example, if the range is in Energy Save mode (available only on select models), the display will be blank when not in operation. The Energy Save mode puts the range into sleep mode and reduces energy consumption. Consult your owner’s manual for steps on deactivating the Energy Save Mode. |
| Is the main gas shut-off valve turned ON? | Verify the main gas valve is ON. |
Partial Display or No Display - Gas and Dual Fuel Range
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Reset power to the product. |
|
Nothing Will Work
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Is there a demo mode? | If your oven has a demo mode feature, check to see if it is activated. If it is, then the oven will likely not work. Refer to the Use and Care guide to learn how to deactivate demo mode |
| Power supply cord is unplugged. | Plug into a grounded 3-prong outlet. |
| The range is incorrectly connected to the gas supply. | Contact a trained repair specialist |
| Household fuse is blown or a circuit breaker is tripped. | Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. If the problem continues, call an electrician. |
| Main or regulator gas shut-off valve is in the OFF position. | Review the product Installation Instructions or Use and Care Guide. |
Oven Temperature Too High or Too Low
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature needs to be adjusted because it is too high or too low. | Never measure the temperature in the oven with a thermometer. This is because the elements can cycle on and off as needed to provide a consistent temperature. This cycling may cause the oven to be either slightly hot or cool at any time. Most thermometers react slowly to shifts in temperature and will be unable to provide an accurate reading. It’s also important to note that different oven models may cook at different speeds. You can personalize the temperature to your desired cooking needs. Many ovens can be changed to operate and display either in Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees. Follow your appliance’s use and care instructions prior to beginning, as it should be your primary source of information. |
Oven Burner Flames Are Yellow, Noisy and/or Uneven
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Clogged burner ports. | Clean the burner ports on a regular basis. Before cleaning, make sure all the controls are off and that the cooktop is cool. Do not use bleach, rust removers or oven cleaners. Do not wash in the dishwasher. A clean burner cap can help avoid uneven flames and poor ignition. We recommend that you always clean the burner cap after a spillover, and to often remove and clean the caps per the instructions in the Use & Care guide. |
| Burner caps positioned improperly. | Check that there is nothing obstructing the flow of combustion and ventilation around the burner grate edges. Additionally, always keep the burner cap in place when using a surface burner. You want to align the gas tube opening in the burner base with the orifice holder on the cooktop and the igniter electrode with the notch in the burner base. Please note that each round burner cap is usually marked with a letter indicating the burner size. |
| Range converted improperly. | If your oven uses propane gas, contact a service technician. |
Convection fan not working
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| The convection cycle is in the first few minutes of operation. | This is perfectly normal with many models. The convection fan will start roughly 5 minutes into the cycle |
| Oven door is open. | On some models, if the oven door is opened during convection cooking, the fan will immediately shut off. It should start again as soon as the oven door is closed. |
Removing and Replacing the Oven Light
Your owner’s manual contains the wattage of halogen bulbs for your specific model. You can view or download product literature for most appliances by visiting the Manuals and Literature page.
Steps to Remove and Replace Standard Appliance Bulbs on Certain Models
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
If the bulb inside your oven is out and is a standard 40-watt bulb, then use these instructions to safely remove and replace it:
- Before replacing, always make sure the oven (and cooktop, if you have one) isn’t hot or even warm and that all controls are off.
- Disconnect the power from the appliance. You can do this by turning off the circuit breaker(s) or removing the fuse(s).
- Most ranges have a cover designed to protect the light bulb. You should always refer to your appliance’s Use and Care guide for detailed instructions on how to remove this cover. Once the protective cover is off, follow these steps to replace the light bulb.
- Turn the bulb counterclockwise to remove it from the socket.
- Replace the bulb by turning it clockwise.
- Replace protective light bulb cover by closely following the instructions provided in Use and Care guide.
- Lastly, reconnect the power to the appliance by turning on the circuit breaker(s) or by installing the fuse(s).
It’s wise to only purchase your replacement bulbs from the manufacturer or a manufacturer-approved parts distributor.
Halogen Bulbs: Steps to Removing and Replacing One
These solutions may vary based on your oven model. Make sure you follow your appliance’s use and care instructions as it should be your primary source of information.
Your owner's manual should provide the wattage of halogen bulbs for your oven model. Before replacing, check that your oven (and cooktop, if you have one) isn’t hot and that all the controls are turned off.
Follow these instructions to replace your halogen bulbs:
- Disconnect the power by switching off the circuit breaker(s) or removing the fuse(s).
- A halogen bulb usually has a glass light cover. You can usually remove it by holding the front edge and pulling it away from the oven.
- Remove the bulb from its socket.
And then to replace:
- Using a tissue or wearing cotton gloves, replace the bulb.
- Replace the bulb cover l.
- Reconnect the power to your oven by turning on the circuit breaker(s) or installing the fuse(s).
Careful not to touch the bulb with your bare fingers. This can damage or decrease the life of the new bulb.
Still need help? Visit our Product Help website for more guidance on how to fix your oven. It is also where you can book a service appointment.
To download a manual for your KitchenAid® appliance, click here.
