People mostly use a gas or electric oven in their kitchen. Over time, ovens have become quite hi-tech with more user-friendly features. However, like other kitchen appliances, your oven may also stop working with extended usage. If you find the oven not working or some other snag has developed, do not panic. Before calling the technicians or service centre, you can try to diagnose and fix the problem yourself.
Here are top 5 reasons why your oven is not working:
- 1.
Electric supply problems: An electric oven may malfunction if the power supply is disrupted. A broken or twisted cord or a tripped circuit breaker can lead to oven malfunction and sometimes the oven may not start at all. The electrical outlet on the wall from where power is being supplied should also be checked. The outlet or switch may be at fault at times.
- 2.
Overheating: This is one common problem oven users have to cope with. Electrical ovens are equipped with a temperature sensor and when it gets worn out, overheating can occur. Even the thermostat used in the oven may be the culprit. If the oven fan does not operate properly, that can also cause the oven to get overheated.
- 3.
Oven not heating: Sometimes, you may find your oven is not heating properly. Again, a faulty thermostat or bad oven sensor may be the culprit. Some modern ovens have specific error codes to indicate the type of problem. Go through the user manual and check if any relevant error code is being displayed by the device. You also need to check if the oven has an internal fuse and if it is working or not. Some ovens are designed to give audible alarms when a snag occurs along with displaying error codes.
- 4.
Heating element: If there is nothing wrong with the power supply and the thermostat is also fine, but the oven is malfunctioning - it is time to check the heating element. It too may wear out after prolonged usage. This should be checked by a qualified technician though.
- 5.
Faulty fan: Most ovens have a fan for controlling inner temperature while the cooking is done. When the fan stops working or runs slower than usual, that can cause overheating and the oven may not function as desired. If your oven has temperature indicator, you will be able to see that the inside temperature is on the higher side. Sometimes, you may find the fan making more noise than usual too. When all of this happens, it is clear the fan needs a replacement.
Tips that may help, if your oven is not working
It is always better if you can prevent oven problems rather than having to fix them. Keeping the oven clean from food and grime is essential, as is using the correct electrical supply.