Why is Electric Oven Not Working but the stove top is? Easy Solution

On a daily basis, we are working with electric and gas cooking appliances. Most of us are only familiar with the outer mechanical electrical and components of these appliances. When appliances are not working properly we do not know how to fix them and sometimes even for minor issues they are sent to repair shops.

Actually, we are unaware of how these appliances actually work. here my main focus is on electrical ovens with stove tops working, issues, and repair techniques because most of the time not. Once you know how it works, this may advantage you in terms of cost and time.

Electric Oven Elements

Let’s start with the basic elements of an electric oven with a stovetop.

Electric Supply

Most electric ovens contain a simple heating element, which is a resistor to create heat in the oven cavity. It converts electrical energy into heat energy. Basically, there are two control wires called L1 and L2 in almost all electrical appliances, so in an electrical oven.

L1 control

L1 is used for monitoring temperature and supplying the correct voltage (110 Volts AC) of current to the correct circuit at the proper time.

L2 control

L2 wire is used for supplying an additional voltage (120 Volts AC) to the heating element when an electrical appliance needs to generate heat.

Electric supply issues

Next time if your electric oven is not generating proper heat, check for the following:

• The heating element failure
• The L1 and L2  control wires are not working properly

Troubleshoot

Replace the heating element if not repairable and check for both wires whether they are working properly and supply 120 VAC. Use a voltmeter to test the voltage of wires.

Temperature

There is a part called a thermostat in every oven. It is a sensor that measures the oven temperature. The heating element is continuously cycling to an on-and-off state in order to maintain the temperature range of the oven control thermostat. This is how the thermostat works:

1.  Above target temperature: When the thermostat senses that the temperature is rising above the target temperature, it opens the L2 circuit to cool down the heating element.

2.  Drop below target temperature: When the heat dropped to the low side of the temperature range selected the thermostat re-energizes the L2 circuit for more heat to be generated. 

Most electric appliances use a thermostat as a temperature sensor but some use a device called a rheostat or a potentiometer to decrease and increase the amount of current supplied to the heating element.

Temperature issues

The following can cause temperature problems with your oven or stovetop.

1. Thermostat or sensor failure: When the thermostat is not working properly, the detection of correct temperature within the oven cavity is not sensed and it doesn’t open or close the circuit when it should; causing an oven that is either too hot or too cold.
2. Switch issues: The switch of the thermostat is loose open or tight closed.
3. Heating element failure: It does not generate proper heat because of mechanical or electrical damage.
4. Damaged wire: The conducting wire is damaged (cut or broken) and cannot conduct electricity to the heating element

Troubleshoot

• Repair or replace the thermostat
• Replace the loose switch with a new switch
• Lubricate the too-tight switch with some oil
• Repair or replace the heating element
• Replace the damaged wires with new wires. (Note: Repairing the damaged wires is not an effective solution because after some time they may cause problems. Replace them with new wires is more cost-saving )

Settings

One of the most common issues is invalid settings of electric ovens which is not actually an issue but a human doing mistakes while dealing with electric appliances. Following are some setting mistakes:

1. Set the wrong temperature either too low or too high causing uncooked or burned food
2. Set the wrong combination of flame intensity for the upper and lower burner
3. Only turn on the lower burner for food that requires a lower flame to cook and vice versa.

Troubleshoot

1. Read the user manual guide properly
2. Learn oven settings from some expert
3. Seek help from customer care

Other common issues

Before seeking help from any source, first, check for the following common things. Maybe your oven is not working because of this.

1. The voltage provided by the main supply is not enough for the oven to work
2. Maybe there is some button that allows switching between stove and oven mode. Read the guide manual for such information.
3. Loose oven door interrupts proper heating

Also, Read

1. Why Frigidaire Oven Not Heating Up
2. Ovens For Baking Cakes
3. 6 Best Countertop Steam Ovens in 2023

Why did my oven suddenly stop working?

There are more than one reasons for the oven to not work properly. You should first check the following:

• Thermostat or sensor failure: When the thermostat is not working properly, the detection of correct temperature within the oven cavity is not sensed and it doesn’t open or close the circuit when it should; causing an oven that is either too hot or too cold.
• Switch issues: The switch of the thermostat is loose open or tight closed.
•  Heating element failure: It does not generate proper heat because of mechanical or electrical damage.
• Damaged wire: The conducting wire is damaged (cut or broken) and cannot conduct electricity to the heating element. The L1 and L2  control wires are not working properly
• Settings: Set the wrong temperature to either too low or too high because of uncooked or burned food.Set the wrong combination of flame intensity for the upper and lower burner. Only turn on the lower burner for food that requires a lower flame to cook and vice versa. Maybe there is some button that allows switching between stove and oven mode. Read the guide manual for such information.
• Voltage issue: The Voltage provided by the main supply is not enough for the oven to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So in a nutshell whenever you feel that your electric oven is not working but the stop top is doing well then before Going to the Repair shop make sure that the configuration of the oven is good and there are no thermostat-related issues it. and even if you find such issues then fix those by following the above guidelines