Picture this: you’re having the in-laws over for dinner this weekend. You know your mother-in-law is very traditional and expects a full banquet and impeccable hosting skills. So, you gather your ingredients ahead of time for the perfect, Michelin star-ready dinner, get ready to cook, and your oven won’t turn on.
Image by Mike Gattorna
You try each burner on the stovetop, in turn, try pressing every button on the oven’s interface, but nothing doing. No matter how you fiddle with it, your oven won’t respond or even power on.
Now what? Are you doomed to order take-out this weekend and attempt to pass it off as your own? Don’t panic: We have some potential solutions for you below.
What to Do When Your Oven Won’t Turn On
When you first discover that your oven won’t turn on or heat the way it should, your first order of business should be to check the causes behind the failure. Different failures will require different parts, and some may require the aid of an electrician to repair. It all depends on what’s causing the problem. For instance, if…
…Your Oven Is Completely Dead
If your oven is completely dead, no matter what you try, it may not be the oven itself. It could be your home’s circuit breaker.
Ovens are one of the heaviest users of electricity in any home. Because of this, if there are any power surges, the breaker assigned to it in the kitchen will likely get tripped. Once that breaker gets switched off, nothing attached to it will power on.
If the issue is the breaker, all you need to do is head to your home’s service panel. Flip the kitchen’s breaker switch off, then back on. Once you’ve done that, it should be working again.
If the breaker trips out again, then the issue might be with the circuit board or breaker itself. If that’s the case, you’ll need to call an electrician.
…The Oven Won’t Turn On After a Power Outage
Power outages wreak havoc on all of your electronics but can have pronounced effects on large appliances like your oven or refrigerator. If your oven won’t turn on after a power outage, then it’s possible that either the power source or the fuse got fried.
Most electronic ovens use 240-volt cords, which can become damaged when power surges occur. A power cord for an electronic oven is far cheaper than replacing the oven outright, so make sure you try swapping the cords out first before rushing to the repair store. However, if the fuse is the issue, and it looks damaged or scorched, then you should call an electrician as soon as possible.
…The Oven Won’t Turn On, But Burners Work
This situation can be more frustrating than the oven not working at all, as the top part functions, but not the most important part. If your burners turn on, but the oven doesn’t, then the problem could be as simple as a compressed button.
First, make sure that your oven’s controls are set to the appropriate function, like bake or broil. Then, if your oven self-cleans, make sure the door is set to the unlocked position. Then, double-check to ensure your function and temperature knobs are all firmly in place.
This should get your oven back to its proper, functioning state.
…The Gas Burner Won’t Ignite
Gas ovens are a different beast when it comes to potential issues and repairs. Not only do you have to worry about your usual electrical concerns, but if something’s amiss with the gas, you could end up dealing with a gas leak or explosion! Not good.
Thankfully, if the burner won’t ignite, there’s a simple cause and solution. Most likely, you have some food debris blocking the line and cutting off the gas flow to the burner.
To fix this, all you need to do is remove the grate and burner cap. Once those are out of the way, take the burner base and soak it in vinegar, using a stiff brush to wipe away debris. After that, use a toothpick or sewing needle to prick the remainder of the food debris away from the burner holes.
With the flow clear, you should be able to ignite your gas stove with ease!
…The Oven Fan Won’t Turn On
If the oven fan won’t turn on, you should first check to ensure that it’s not obstructed by any food debris. If it isn’t blocked, then listen closely for any strange sounds that might indicate the motor is faulty. If the motor is faulty, you’ll need a pro to come in and replace it for you, so pack your patience.
…The Buttons Won’t Respond
One sad side effect of our lives becoming more technology-centered is the fact that everything in our home uses computerized buttons to control its basic functions. Sadly, if your buttons won’t respond to your touch, you’ll need some serious technical know-how to get them responding again. If that’s not you, then please, don’t try fiddling with the electronic control board at home. Seek the aid of a professional!
When All Else Fails
If you’ve tried each of these fixes, and none of them worked or applied to your struggles, there’s no need to despair. Breathe, Google “oven repair near me“, and see what comes up.
If your issues cropped up outside of normal business hours, you might be waiting for a bit. However, that wait is well worth the price you could have paid in further repairs or replacement if you tried to conduct repairs beyond your pay grade yourself and failed.
Confused? Let’s Review
Running into a situation where your oven won’t turn on can be frustrating, especially when you have an enormous dinner to prepare. However, if you check your burners, power source, and fuses, you should be able to avoid having to replace the whole appliance.
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