Why Your Gas Oven Is Not Heating: 5 Causes and What to Do About It

So you finished mixing your banana bread batter, only to find your gas oven refuses to heat up. But don’t let it ruin the moment—there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to determine the issue.

First, a note on safety: Before you tinker with repairing the gas oven, make sure to switch off the breaker that connects this appliance first. Always err on the side of caution when working with gas, and, when in doubt, call a local gas oven repair pro.

1. The Circuit Breaker Tripped

Think of the circuit breaker as the distribution center, connecting electricity to your home’s outlets. If you’re having issues, check if the circuit breaker has tripped, meaning that the electrical supply that connects to your gas oven has been stopped. 

Although gas ovens are powered by—you guessed it—gas, some components rely on electricity to operate, such as timers. So, if there is an issue with the circuit breaker, the gas oven won’t heat up. 

If you check your breaker and everything is functioning, but the gas oven still won’t light up, check the gas supply next.

2. The Oven Isn’t Getting Gas

If you find your gas stove isn’t lighting, then access to liquid propane gas or natural gas may be faulty. If you recently had repairs done to your oven or stovetop, the gas valve may still be shut off, and you’d just need to switch the valve open. Your gas valve is located behind your oven on the wall or floor. It should clearly show it’s in the “On” position. If it is but still isn’t heating (or you’re unsure), call in an appliance pro for an inspection.

3. The Temperature Sensor Needs to Be Repositioned

If your gas oven is not heating up sufficiently, to your desired temperature, or if food isn’t cooking evenly, there might be an issue with the temperature sensor. If the temperature sensor is touching the inside wall of the oven, it will produce inaccurate results of how hot the oven actually is (and yield not-so-edible results).

The solution: simply repositioning the sensor. However, if it’s not touching the inside wall, you can use an ohmmeter to check if the sensor is working properly. If not, it needs to be replaced by a pro.

4. The Oven Needs to Be Recalibrated

If your favorite roast chicken recipe calls for 475 degrees for 50 minutes, but your oven is taking two hours to cook it, your oven temperature may need recalibrating. To confirm, place an oven thermometer inside your oven and heat it up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If the oven thermometer is wildly off from the temperature setting, then something is off. 

If your oven temperature is off by 20 degrees or less, you can calibrate an oven yourself. Check your oven’s owners manual for specific information, but this typically involves holding down the “Bake” button, increasing or decreasing the number based on the temperature difference, and pressing “Bake” again to save.

If your oven temperature is off by 30 degrees or more, call an appliance repair technician. This could mean the temperature sensors need to be repaired.

5. The Igniter Needs to Be Cleaned or Replaced

When you turn on the gas oven, you should hear the igniter click until the gas ignites. Once the igniter is hot, the gas valve opens to transmit gas to the burner. But if something is amiss with the burner, it can be a reason the oven won’t heat up.

Here’s how to troubleshoot:

If the Gas Won’t Ignite

If your stove is clicking but the burners aren’t lighting, there could be an issue with the igniter. Switch off the oven or stop trying to ignite before too much gas accumulates. (Basically, if you can start to smell the gas, stop).   

Before continuing, switch the oven off at the circuit breaker to ensure it’s disconnected. Check the igniter for any changes in color on the coil, as this can be an indicator that it’s no longer functioning.

Perform a Multimeter Test

Another option is to review the resistance of the igniter by using a multimeter. A typical range of resistance for a working igniter is anywhere from 10 and 2500 ohms. If there is no continuity or no resistance, this is a sign that the igniter doesn't work and needs to be replaced.

Replace the Igniter

If, after checking and inspecting the igniter, you’ve found that it’s not working, you’ll need to replace it. The igniter can be simple and easy to replace on your own with only a circuit tester, a new igniter, and a screwdriver. If you don’t feel comfortable replacing it on your own, call a service repair professional.

Why the Gas Stove Is Working But Not the Oven

If your gas stove is working but not the oven, it could be due to a broken igniter. Another possibility is that your thermostat or temperature sensors aren’t working. Additionally, there could be an issue with the gas supply to the oven. In any of these situations, it’s best to hire a pro to inspect, diagnose, and fix the problem. 

Troubleshooting Oven Problems DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you have a gas oven, it’s best to leave most repairs up to the pros. Working with gas lines and poorly done repairs can lead to dangerous gas leaks. There are less serious issues that you can handle yourself, including:

• Checking for misaligned on misplaced parts, like the temperature sensor.

• Checking the circuit breaker.

• Removing food scraps and other build-up inside the oven.

A service repair professional can detect the problem and provide a solution quickly, so you’ll have a gas oven that heats up (and finish that banana bread). Most gas oven repairs cost about between $200 and $600, depending on the repair type needed.

Alternatives to a Gas Oven

Alternatives to gas ovens include electric ovens, which are commonly favored for their even heating and precise temperature control. Convection ovens are another alternative, which use interior fans to circulate hot air—they often cook food faster than gas and electric ovens. Of course, there are also microwave ovens, which are great for cooking food in a hurry, as well as induction ovens, which offer efficient and rapid heating via electromagnetic fields.