If you smell gas, leave the area immediately. From a safe location, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200; call 911 for an immediate danger. Do not operate switches or attempt a repair.
It's incredibly frustrating to prep a meal only to discover your oven isn't getting hot. While many oven repairs require a qualified appliance professional (especially gas ovens), there are a few things you can check yourself before making the call.
1. Check the Power Source
It sounds obvious, but ensure the oven is fully plugged in. If it's an electric oven, check your home's circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. Ovens draw a lot of power, and a tripped breaker is a common culprit.
2. Inspect the Bake Element (Electric Ovens)
In an electric oven, the bake element is the metal coil at the bottom. Turn the oven on and observe it. It should glow red hot. If it's dark, or if you see visible blisters, breaks, or burn marks on the coil, the element is dead and needs to be replaced.
3. Check the Igniter (Gas Ovens)
Electrical elements, control circuits and gas ignition systems require professional diagnosis. Do not remove protective covers or attempt live electrical or gas tests.
Electrical elements, control circuits and gas ignition systems require professional diagnosis. Do not remove protective covers or attempt live electrical or gas tests.
Check the control settings in your care guide
A control lock or demonstration mode can prevent normal heating on some models. Whirlpool’s troubleshooting guide identifies these settings as checks for an electric oven that powers on without heating. Use your exact model’s instructions rather than a keypad sequence from another oven.
Prepare a useful service request
Describe whether the oven display turns on, which cooking mode is affected and whether the issue began after a power outage or cleaning cycle. Include the brand and model. Avoid repeated tests when there is a gas smell, visible damage or an electrical concern; explain the symptoms to the team when arranging diagnosis.
