If the top burners work but the oven will not heat, the most common cause is a weak oven igniter. It may glow orange, but it never gets hot enough to open the gas valve. This is one of the most common gas oven repairs, and a technician can test it and replace it safely.
How a Gas Oven Lights
Most gas ovens use a hot surface igniter. When you turn the oven on, the igniter heats up and glows. Once it is hot enough, it lets a safety valve open, gas flows into the burner, and the flame lights.
Over time, the igniter wears out. It still glows, but it cannot get quite hot enough. The safety valve stays closed, so the oven never lights.
Signs of a Weak Igniter
- The igniter glows, but no flame appears after a minute or more
- The oven takes much longer than usual to preheat
- The oven heats for a while, then goes cold
- The bake burner will not light, but the broil burner still works
Other Reasons a Gas Oven Will Not Heat
A setting or the clock
Many digital ovens will not heat if the clock is blinking after a power outage, or if a delay start or lock mode is on. Set the clock and check the settings first.
No power to the range
Gas ovens still need electricity to run the igniter and the controls. Make sure the range is plugged in and the breaker has not tripped.
The gas valve is closed
If the range was moved for cleaning or flooring work, the gas shut-off valve behind it may be closed. If the top burners work, gas is reaching the range.
A bad temperature sensor
A failed oven sensor can make the oven run too hot, too cold, or show an error. Many GE ovens show an F3 or F4 code when the sensor has a problem.
A control board problem
Less often, the oven control board fails. A technician can test the board after ruling out the igniter and the sensor.
What the Signs Usually Mean
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Igniter glows, no flame | Weak igniter |
| Burners work, oven completely dead | Clock, settings, power, or igniter |
| Oven runs too hot or too cold | Temperature sensor or control |
| Broil works, bake does not | Bake igniter or bake burner |
| Error code on the display | Sensor, door lock, or control fault |
What You Can Safely Check
- Make sure the range is plugged in and the breaker is on.
- Set the clock and turn off any lock, delay, or Sabbath mode.
- Light a top burner to confirm gas is reaching the range.
- Look through the oven window, with the door closed, to see if the igniter glows.
Leave the igniter, the wiring, and the gas parts to a technician. These repairs involve both gas and electricity.
How to Test Your Oven Temperature
If your oven heats but food burns or comes out raw, the temperature may be off. You can check it with a simple oven thermometer.
- Place an oven thermometer on the middle rack.
- Set the oven to 350°F and let it preheat fully.
- Wait about 20 minutes, then read the thermometer through the window.
- Check it two or three more times, about 10 minutes apart.
Ovens cycle on and off, so the temperature moves up and down a little. If the average is far from 350°F, a sensor or a control may need attention. Many ovens also let you adjust the temperature setting, and your manual shows how.
Have an Electric Oven Instead?
Electric ovens do not have an igniter. They use a bake element at the bottom and a broil element at the top. If an electric oven will not heat, look at the bake element when it is cool. A break, a blister, or a burned spot means it has failed and needs to be replaced. A temperature sensor or a control problem can also be the cause.
When to Call for Repair
If the igniter glows but the oven will not light, or you see an error code, call us for oven repair or stove and range repair. We also repair built-in wall ovens and pro-style ranges from Viking and Wolf.
We repair gas ovens and ranges from all major brands, including GE, Frigidaire, Wolf, and Viking. Our technicians come to homes in East Brunswick and nearby towns like Edison, Piscataway, Highland Park, Cranbury, Jamesburg, and Dayton. See all service areas or how to reach us. For more tips, browse all our appliance repair guides.