Oven Stopped Heating? Common Causes and How to Fix It

When your oven stopped heating, a malfunction in the heating system that prevents food from cooking properly. Also known as oven not heating, it’s one of the most common appliance problems homeowners face. It’s not always a sign your oven is dead—more often, it’s a single part that’s failed. You don’t need to replace the whole thing right away. Many times, a broken oven element, the metal coil inside the oven that glows red to generate heat is the culprit. It’s cheap, easy to spot, and simple to swap out if you’ve got a screwdriver and a little patience.

But it’s not always the element. A faulty oven thermostat, the device that senses and controls the oven’s internal temperature can trick the oven into thinking it’s hot when it’s not. Or maybe the oven control board, the electronic brain that sends power to the heating parts has gone bad. These are harder to diagnose without a multimeter, but they’re still fixable. You don’t need to be an electrician to test a heating element—just unplug the oven, check for cracks or discoloration, and see if it glows when turned on. If it doesn’t, and the power’s good, that’s your answer.

Don’t assume the worst. A tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, or even a loose wire can make your oven act like it’s broken. People often call a repair technician before checking the simplest things. The good news? Most of the time, you can fix this yourself. We’ve seen hundreds of cases where someone spent $800 on a new oven when a $30 element was all they needed. Below, you’ll find real fixes from people who’ve been there—step-by-step checks, common mistakes to avoid, and when to call in a pro. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually works.