Electric oven not heating
If your electric oven is not heating, check the timer and program first, then the heating element, thermostat sensor and door seal. Gas ovens with a weak flame need a registered engineer.
Likely causes, ranked
- Door not sealing (torn seal or bent hinge) Possible — A door that does not close firmly loses heat faster than the element can replace it. Run a paper-grip test around the frame with the door closed.
- Failed heating element Most likely — Element glows unevenly, has blisters, or stays completely cold on a hot programme.
- Timer in automatic mode Likely — A set-but-never-started program blocks heating.
- Faulty temperature sensor (NTC) Possible — Oven heats briefly then cuts out, or never heats.
First checks
- Make sure the timer or programmer is not in automatic mode — a program that is set but never started blocks heating. Turn the oven off at the wall for 10 minutes and retry on a manual setting.
- Turn the oven on and watch the element at the top or bottom of the cavity. A healthy element glows evenly along its length. Cold patches, blisters or sparks mean the element has failed and needs replacing — usually a simple, cheap repair.
- The small probe at the top or back of the cavity feeds temperature back to the control board. If it is knocked loose or faulty, the oven may heat briefly then cut out, or never heat at all. Check it is seated and undamaged. A replacement sensor is cheap; its wiring plug is usually reachable at the back of the cavity on external-access models — but only check what you can see with the oven off at the wall.
- A door that does not close firmly, or a torn seal, loses heat faster than the element can replace it. Run a paper-grip test around the frame as for fridge doors.
Safety
Unplug or switch off at the wall before any check. Never work on gas appliances, refrigerant circuits or anything beyond external access yourself.
Call a professional when…
The element looks intact but the oven still will not heat (control board or thermostat), the oven trips your electrics, or you smell gas on a gas model. Never work on a gas appliance yourself.