Why did my oven stop working all of a sudden?

Author: Prof. Asia Rippin  |  Last update: Monday, November 10, 2025

The possible reasons your oven is not working may include a broken baking or broiling element, a malfunctioning spark element (spark electrode), a broken igniter, a blown fuse, an issue with the control board, or outlets not providing enough power to the oven.

Why did my oven suddenly stop working?

  • Thermal Fuse : Many ovens have a thermal fuse that cuts off power if the oven overheats. If this fuse blows, the oven will stop heating.
  • Heating Element Failure : The heating elements can wear out over time.
  • Faulty Temperature Sensor : The temperature sensor measures the oven's internal temperature.

How to tell if an oven fuse is blown?

Remove the fuse. Turn on the ohmmeter to any scale that measures ohms. Put one lead on each end of the fuse. If it registers anything, then it's good. If it registers nothing, then it's bad.

Why did my oven suddenly turn off?

One of the most common reasons for an electric oven to shut off is overheating. Modern ovens are equipped with safety mechanisms that prevent them from getting too hot and causing a fire hazard.

How do I reset my oven?

Turn the circuit breaker to the OFF position or remove the fuse. Wait one minute, then turn the circuit breaker back to the ON position or install the fuse to reset power to the appliance. This should reset the electronic controls on the Range or Wall Oven.

Top Reasons Oven Won't Turn On — Electric Oven Troubleshooting

Do stoves have a reset button?

Reset Digital Displays: If your stove has a digital display, there may be a specific combination of buttons to press to reset the stove or clear any error codes. Check Circuit Breakers: Sometimes, a power outage can trip a circuit breaker.

How to tell if an oven thermostat is broken?

Make sure the multimeter is calibrated and then turn the dial to the lowest ohm rating. 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.

Why would my oven trip out?

For most powering- related problems, the problem often lies in the selector switch, with damage seen in the form of switch poles arcing, burning or scorching. Another issue could be in the elements, which you should check using an earth leak or electrical meter.

Do ovens automatically shut off?

Most ovens and ranges with touch pad clock controls will automatically shut off after 12 hours. The benefit of this is the peace-of-mind and energy savings if the oven is accidentally left on. Models with no clock or timer do not have automatic shutdown.

Do ovens have their own fuse?

If the range or oven is receiving power but doesn't work, the unit may have its own fuse or circuit breaker assembly. This assembly is usually located under the cooktop of the range.

How do I get my oven to turn back on?

Check the circuit breaker in your fuse box. A tripped breaker could prevent power from reaching your oven. If your circuit breaker has tripped, turn the breaker back on, and check to see if your oven heats up. If it doesn't produce heat, you may need to have the issue inspected by a professional technician.

What does a blown oven fuse look like?

The fusible link is visible through a glass window in the top. If the fuse is good, this link will be intact. If the fuse has blown due to an overload, this link will be visibly broken. If the link is broken and the glass window is also blackened, this indicates a short circuit.

How long should an oven last?

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 happens when an oven element blows?

Experiencing an Oven Heating Element Failure

This will cause the sheath to rupture and sparks may occur for a few seconds. At this point, one of two situations may result: The household fuses or circuit breakers may "blow" or trip. The heating element will stop working.

Why did my oven go out?

The possible reasons your oven is not working may include a broken baking or broiling element, a malfunctioning spark element (spark electrode), a broken igniter, a blown fuse, an issue with the control board, or outlets not providing enough power to the oven.

Can a thermostat cause an oven to trip?

2.6) Thermostat​

The most likely cause of a thermostat tripping the electric is that the wiring for the thermostat has shorted out on the grounded parts of the oven, the insulation on the wiring has become damaged or wiring has come loose.

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.

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!

Do electric ovens have a reset button?

No oven has a Reset Button. If you want to reset the unit, you can turn the circuit breaker off for 5 minutes, and turn it back on. This can be enough to reset minor glitches most of the time. Otherwise, if you still encounter power outages or you lose power randomly, this may be a sign of a bad control board.

What causes oven fuse to trip?

Short-circuiting is often a reason for circuit breakers to trip. It happens when one wire with insulation comes into contact with another wire, increasing amperage. This can cause the circuit breaker for the oven to trip.

How to fix an oven that won't turn on?

Oven Won't Turn On? Here's What to Do
  1. To Check the Power Supply:
  2. Inspect the Bake and Broil Elements:
  3. Perform a Multimeter Test and Check the Wiring:
  4. To Check the Igniter:
  5. To Check the Spark Electrode:
  6. The Thermal Fuse: Some electric ovens are fitted with a thermal fuse.

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