Oven Not Heating? 5 Common Oven & Stove Problems — Chicago

Published: April 28, 2026 · Written by SAVA's EPA-certified HVAC technician with 9 years of Chicago field experience.

Most oven and stove problems come down to one of a small number of failing parts. The good news: the most common issues — a bad bake element, a weak igniter, a faulty temperature sensor — are well-understood repairs that a technician can typically diagnose and fix in a single visit. Here are the 5 problems we see most often from Chicago homeowners.

1. Oven Won't Heat or Heats Very Slowly

On an electric oven, the bake element (the coil at the bottom of the oven cavity) is the most likely culprit. A failed element won't heat at all; a partially failed one heats slowly or unevenly. Look at the element — if it has a burn spot, a break, or a blister, that's your answer. On gas ovens, a weak igniter is the usual suspect: it glows but doesn't get hot enough to open the gas valve, so the burner never lights. Both are common repairs a technician can complete in one visit.

2. Oven Temperature Is Off — Food Burns or Undercooks

If the oven runs but the temperature doesn't match the dial, the oven temperature sensor (the small probe inside the oven cavity, usually at the back) is likely reading incorrectly. This is one of the most overlooked oven problems. You can test it with an oven thermometer: set to 350°F and check actual temperature after 20 minutes. A $5 thermometer can confirm whether the sensor is the issue before you call a tech. Sensor replacement is straightforward and inexpensive.

3. Gas Burner Won't Light or Keeps Clicking

A gas burner that won't light when other burners work fine is almost always a dirty or wet igniter. Remove the burner cap and clean around the spark igniter with a dry toothbrush. Moisture from boil-overs is the most common cause. Let it dry fully (sometimes overnight) before testing again. If the burner still won't light after a thorough cleaning, or if the igniter clicks continuously without lighting, the igniter switch needs replacement — a quick repair.

4. Broiler Not Working While Bake Function Is Fine

On electric ovens, the bake and broil elements are separate components. If your oven bakes normally but the broiler produces no heat, the broil element is the likely failure — separate from the bake element and independently replaceable. On gas ranges, a broiler that won't light may have a separate igniter from the oven burner. Tell the technician which function has failed and they'll come prepared with the right part.

5. Oven Door Doesn't Close Properly or Won't Stay Shut

A door that doesn't seal completely causes significant heat loss, uneven cooking, and higher energy consumption. The most common causes are worn door hinges, a stretched or cracked door gasket, or a door spring that's lost tension. Oven door gaskets can be ordered for most brands and installed without tools. Hinges require more disassembly but are still a manageable repair. Don't cook with a door that won't stay closed — you're losing heat and overworking the oven's components.

Gas Oven and Stove Safety: Know the Warning Signs

Gas appliances require particular caution. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), gas range and oven incidents send thousands of Americans to emergency rooms each year — most from fires and carbon monoxide. Take these warning signs seriously:

• Gas smell when the oven is off: Leave the home immediately. Call your gas company from outside. Do not use light switches or open flames.
• Yellow or orange flame on burners: Burner flames should be blue. Yellow flames indicate incomplete combustion and possible CO production.
• Oven shuts off mid-cook: May indicate a failing thermocouple or temperature sensor safety cutoff — have it inspected before using again.
• Clicking that won't stop: A burner igniter that clicks continuously even when the burner is lit is usually a moisture or debris issue — but it can also signal a failed igniter module that should be replaced.

What Do Oven and Stove Repairs Cost?

Cost depends on the specific issue and parts needed — we walk you through what we found after the diagnostic and you approve before any work begins. The repair-vs-replace math typically favors repair for appliances under 10 years old with single-component failures. On older units with multiple issues, replacement may make more sense.

Oven Maintenance: Preventing the Most Common Failures

• Keep the burner caps clean and dry — boil-overs that aren't cleaned promptly cause igniter failures
• Use an oven thermometer occasionally — catches sensor drift before it ruins a meal
• Don't line the bottom of the oven with foil — blocks heat distribution and can damage the bake element
• Inspect door gasket annually — a cracked gasket is easy to catch early and inexpensive to replace
• Never use self-clean on a gas range immediately before a holiday meal — high-heat cleaning cycles can trip thermal limiters, leaving you without an oven when you need it

Brands We Repair in Chicago

SAVA repairs all major oven and stove brands: GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, Maytag, KitchenAid, Bosch, Viking, Wolf, Thermador, and more. We service Chicago and surrounding suburbs including Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Oak Park, Evanston, and Glenview.

When to Call a Repair Tech

If cleaning the burner igniter doesn't fix the issue, or if you're dealing with an oven that won't heat at all, burns food, or has a broken door — call a technician. Gas appliance issues in particular should always be assessed by a certified tech rather than DIY-diagnosed. Most oven repairs are completed same-day.

Frequently Asked Questions