The Short Answer
On an electric oven, heat comes from bake and broil elements; on a gas oven, from an igniter that opens a safety valve. In both, a temperature sensor reports back to the control, which cycles the heat to hold the set point. A cold oven usually means the element or igniter has failed. An oven that heats but drifts usually means the sensor or the control has lost calibration. The difference is whether there is any heat at all.
Start with the Quick Checks
Confirm the oven has power and, on a range, that the cooktop still works, which separates the oven circuit from the whole appliance. On an electric oven, watch whether the bake element glows evenly end to end; a break or a cold spot is visible. On a gas oven, watch whether the igniter glows and whether the flame follows within a minute. If the igniter glows but no flame arrives, it has aged past the point of opening the valve.
Notes by Brand
- Wolf dual-fuel and gas ovens: a cold oven often traces to the igniter or the bake element, and our note on a Wolf oven not heating walks through the checks.
- Viking and La Cornue ranges: uneven heat and drift usually point at the sensor or calibration, covered in our Viking oven temperature guide.
- Thermador, Gaggenau and Dacor: these will often display an F-code when a sensor or relay fails, so the code points straight at the failed part.
- Miele, Monogram, Jenn-Air and KitchenAid: a failed door lock or a control relay can hold the oven off, so a cold oven is not always the heating source.
Symptom to Cause
| What You See | Likely Cause | What We Check |
|---|---|---|
| Electric oven fully cold | Failed bake element or open circuit | Element continuity and power to the element |
| Gas oven igniter glows, no flame | Weak igniter not opening the safety valve | Igniter current draw and valve operation |
| Heats but never reaches temperature | Weak element, aged igniter, or sensor high | Heat source output and sensor resistance |
| Bakes unevenly or off by degrees | Sensor drift or calibration | Sensor readings and control calibration |
| F-code and no heat | Sensor, relay, or door-lock fault | Displayed code, relay board, and lock |
Gas and Heat Safety
If a gas oven smells of gas without lighting, turn it off and ventilate before trying again. Do not lean on a hot door or run a broil element with the door propped to test it. When in doubt, book a visit and let us test it safely.
What We Do on Site
We test the element or igniter directly, read the temperature sensor at heat, and pull any stored fault code before condemning a part. A gas igniter that glows can still be too weak to open the valve, so we measure its draw rather than trusting the glow. We calibrate the control where needed and confirm the oven holds temperature. You get a written estimate before any parts go in.
Oven Staying Cold?
Book a diagnostic visit. Diagnostic and travel fees, if applicable, are confirmed before the appointment and before repair approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Oven Heat but Not Reach the Set Temperature?
A weak bake element, a gas igniter that has aged and no longer opens the valve fully, or a temperature sensor reading high are the usual causes. The oven makes some heat but cannot hold the target, which points at the heating source or the sensor rather than the control.
My Gas Oven Will Not Light but the Cooktop Works. Why?
The oven has its own igniter separate from the cooktop burners. A worn oven igniter that glows but does not draw enough current to open the safety valve is the most common reason a gas oven stays cold while the cooktop lights fine.
Is an Oven That Will Not Heat Worth Repairing?
For a built-in wall oven or a professional range, yes. An element, igniter or sensor is a modest repair against replacing an appliance that is fitted into cabinetry. We provide a written estimate so you can weigh it against the unit's value.
Related
Wall Oven Repair
Elements, igniters, sensors and controls on built-in ovens.
Burner Not Igniting
When the cooktop side of the range has trouble too.
Wolf Oven Not Heating
The elements, igniters and sensors behind a cold oven.