Oven not heating? 7 common oven faults and what they usually mean

When your oven stops working properly, it's hard to know if it's a quick part swap or something bigger. Below are the seven faults Stephen at Pristine Moments repairs. For each one you'll find the usual symptoms and what tends to cause them, so you can describe the problem clearly when you ask for an oven repair quote.

Safety first: if you smell gas, turn the appliance off, open a window and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999. Don't attempt electrical repairs yourself.

1. Oven not heating up: element or thermostat?

Symptoms: the oven stays cold, heats slowly, or only one part works (for example the grill works but the main oven doesn't).

Usual causes: a failed heating element (top, bottom, grill or fan-oven element) or a faulty thermostat. It can be either, and they can look similar from the outside. Describe what it's doing and Stephen will advise.

Stephen replaces faulty top, bottom, grill and fan oven elements, and repairs thermostat faults.

2. Food burns, or the oven runs too hot or too cold

Symptoms: food burnt on the outside and undercooked in the middle, cooking times well off the recipe, or a temperature that doesn't match the dial.

Usual cause: uneven or wrong temperatures are often down to the thermostat. An oven thermometer is a cheap way to check before you call.

3. Door won't close properly, or heat escapes around it

Symptoms: a gap around the door, heat or steam escaping, or the door not shutting cleanly.

Usual causes: a worn, split or loose door seal, or worn door hinges. Both can be replaced.

4. Noisy, grinding or stopped fan

Symptoms: a grinding or rattling noise from the back of the oven, or a fan that has stopped turning.

Usual cause: the fan motor, which can be replaced.

5. Oven light not working

Symptoms: the interior light has gone out.

Usual cause: a blown bulb. Stephen replaces blown oven bulbs.

6. Cracked oven door glass

Symptoms: a crack or chip in the door glass.

Don't use an oven with cracked or broken door glass until it has been looked at. Door glass can be replaced.

7. Damaged or worn door hinges

Symptoms: the door drops, won't stay level, or doesn't shut cleanly.

Usual cause: worn hinges, which can be replaced.

Is it worth repairing my oven?

There isn't one answer: it depends on the oven, the fault and the repair. For faults like seals, bulbs, elements, thermostats, fan motors, glass and hinges, a repair is often worth considering. Every repair is priced individually, and you get a quote before any work goes ahead, so you can decide once you know the price.

How to get a repair quote

To get the most accurate quote, have three things ready:

1. The make and model. These are usually on a label around the door frame.
2. What it's doing. Use the symptoms above.
3. A photo. Send one by WhatsApp to 07821 265 615.

Then call 01737 557 729, WhatsApp 07821 265 615, or send an enquiry. Hours are Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–4pm.

Oven repairs cover the same ten towns as cleaning and jet washing: Coulsdon, Banstead, Caterham, Redhill, Reigate, Godstone, Purley, Cheam, Sutton and Leatherhead. See the full oven repairs page for more, or all services and prices.