What are the symptoms of a faulty oven thermostat?

Author: Mrs. Alicia Becker PhD  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

If you find that your food is over or undercooked after setting the temperature correctly there's a chance that your thermostat is faulty.

What happens when an oven thermostat goes out?

If you have a faulty oven thermostat, you will know about it. As the heat is no longer regulated, this could cause burnt or even undercooked food - and nobody wants that!

How do you know if an oven element or thermostat is broken?

You will know your cooker thermostat is broken if the temperature inside isn't reaching the heat you've set it to with the knob, if the temperature inside is always at maximum regardless of what you've set the temperature to, or if the knob isn't clicking when you turn it.

How to tell if an oven temperature sensor is bad?

A faulty temperature sensor will cause the oven not to heat to the correct temperature. If food is taking longer to cook, or is undercooked when cooking time is completed this is due to the oven not reaching the desired heat. You need to make sure that the temperature sensor isn't touching the interior oven wall.

Will a bad temperature sensor cause the oven not to heat up?

One of the most common issues that causes an electric oven to be unable to heat up at all is a broken or faulty oven temperature sensor.

Oven Temperature Control Thermostat Testing

What are the symptoms of a faulty temperature sensor?

What Are The Symptoms of a Faulty Temperature Sensor?
  • The equipment is experiencing intermittent thermocouple failure.
  • Instruments are showing “Open Circuit”.
  • The temperature gauge on your equipment isn't reading accurately.
  • The equipment stops heating or cooling properly.
  • The equipment is overheating.

Is it worth replacing an oven thermostat?

We recommend replacing the oven thermostat if it temperature changes between uses or is off by more than 10% of the set temperature.

How do I reset my oven thermostat?

Remove the oven temperature knob and turn it over. It should have one or two screws on the back. If the oven is running cold, you will want to turn the screws counterclockwise, and if it is running hot, you will want to turn them clockwise. Turn them gradually, about an eighth of a turn each time.

How do I know if my thermostat or element is bad?

What Are the Signs of a Bad or Broken Thermostat?
  1. The AC or Furnace Won't Come On. ...
  2. The HVAC System Won't Turn Off. ...
  3. The Thermostat Is Unresponsive. ...
  4. The HVAC System Short-Cycles. ...
  5. The Room Temperature Doesn't Match the Thermostat Setting. ...
  6. The Programmed Settings Reset Themselves. ...
  7. Check and Adjust the Settings.

How do I know if my thermostat is malfunctioning?

7 Ways to Tell Your Thermostat Is Broken
  1. The Thermostat Has No Power. ...
  2. The AC or Furnace Won't Turn On. ...
  3. The Heater or AC Won't Turn Off. ...
  4. The Thermostat Reading Doesn't Match the Room Temperature. ...
  5. The Thermostat Doesn't Respond. ...
  6. The HVAC System Is Short Cycling. ...
  7. The Thermostat Forgets Programmed Settings.

Can I replace an oven thermostat myself?

Locate the thermostat and disconnect the wires to remove thermostat. Remove the screws holding the thermostat in place and gently pull it out. Install the new thermostat: Position the new thermostat in the same place where the old one was.

How do I know if my oven needs a new thermostat?

Test the Temperature with an Oven Thermometer: Place an oven-safe thermometer inside, set your oven to a specific temperature, and check the reading after 10-15 minutes. If there's a big difference, your thermostat may need adjusting or repair.

How do I know if my oven thermostat is not working?

Place the multimeter on the thermostat. If the thermostat has a reading of zero or as close to zero as possible, it is working fine. However, if it has no reading at all, your oven thermostat is faulty and will need replacing.

Is it expensive to replace a thermostat in an oven?

The cost to replace an oven thermostat is $100 to $350 on average. Signs of thermostat failure include the heating light never switching on or the oven not heating. A thermostat turns the heat on and off as needed to reach the right temperature setting.

How much does it cost to repair a thermostat in the oven?

On average, electric oven repair costs tend to sit between £80-£170 for a new element to be fitted. If the problem lies with the thermostat, you'll need to get an oven thermostat repair cost from a specialist. Alternatively, you could be looking at paying between £50 - £150 if your thermostat needs to be replaced.

Is there a reset button on a thermostat?

Most modern thermostats will have a clearly marked reset button inside the panel. It's usually small and recessed, so you might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it. For those wondering specifically how to reset air conditioner thermostat models, the process is generally the same.

How long does an oven thermostat last?

The lifespan of a thermostat is dependent on several factors, including the type of thermostat, usage, and maintenance. On average, most thermostats last about 10 years, depending on the model, usage, and proper maintenance.

Is it cheaper to fix an oven or buy a new one?

The rule of thumb is that if repair costs exceed 50% of the price to install a new oven, you should buy a new oven instead of replacing it. For example, if your oven costs $2,000 but costs $1,500 to repair, you could use that $1,500 for a new and improved oven.

How can I tell if I need to replace my thermostat?

Signs You Need a New Thermostat
  1. Heating or cooling system will not turn off or on.
  2. The temperature reading is incorrect.
  3. Recent spike in your energy bill.
  4. Frequent temperature fluctuations.
  5. Thermostat is 10 years old or older.

What is the life expectancy of an oven?

The life expectancy of an electric oven is around 13 - 15 years. The life expectancy of a gas oven is around 15 years. The life expectancy of a dual-fuel oven is also around 15 years. However, the lifespan of these kitchen appliances depends on how frequently you use them.

What are the symptoms of a bad oven temperature sensor?

8 Symptoms of Bad Oven Temperature Sensor
  • #1. Longer Cooking Times: ...
  • #2. Lack of power from the sensor. ...
  • #3. Undercooked Food: ...
  • #4. Premature shut off: ...
  • #5. Unevenly Cooked Food: ...
  • #6. Oven Overheating: ...
  • #7. The oven is not turning on. ...
  • #8. Temperature spikes.

What are the symptoms of a bad thermostat?

Watch for These 9 Signs of a Thermostat Going Bad
  • The screen is dead. ...
  • The actual temperature doesn't match the display. ...
  • Your AC or heater is stuck on. ...
  • Your heating and cooling won't turn on. ...
  • Your HVAC is short cycling. ...
  • Scheduled settings stop working. ...
  • Nothing happens when you adjust the settings. ...
  • Temperatures shift.

Will a bad thermostat throw a code?

While there is a small chance that there is an issue with the running temperature of your engine, by far the most common issue with trouble code P0128 is a faulty thermostat. The exact location of the thermostat and issues related to a damaged thermostat may vary depending on your vehicle.

Previous article
What is the difference between Sherwin-Williams matte and satin?
Next article
What is the trend for kitchens in 2025?