Oven Not Heating? 5 Reasons Why (and What Each Repair Costs)

An oven that refuses to heat is one of the most disruptive appliance failures in a busy household. Whether you have a gas range or an electric oven, the cause is almost always one of a handful of well-known components. Here's what our technicians find most often — and what each fix typically costs.

1. Faulty bake or broil element (electric ovens). The bake element is the coil at the bottom of the oven cavity; the broil element is at the top. When either fails, you'll notice the oven not reaching temperature, uneven cooking, or visible damage to the coil. Element replacement is one of the most straightforward oven repairs — typically $120–$200 including parts and labour.

2. Igniter failure (gas ovens). The igniter is the most commonly replaced part in a gas oven. A weak igniter draws enough current to open the gas valve but not enough to light the burner reliably — so the oven takes a very long time to heat, or doesn't heat at all. Igniter replacement typically runs $150–$250.

3. Temperature sensor failure. The oven temperature sensor monitors the internal temperature and tells the control board when to cycle the heating element on and off. A faulty sensor causes the oven to overheat, underheat, or display an error code. Sensor replacement is usually $100–$180.

4. Control board failure. The electronic control board manages every function of the oven. When it fails, you may see error codes, unresponsive controls, or an oven that simply won't turn on. Control board replacement is typically $200–$400 depending on the brand and model.

5. Thermal fuse blown. The thermal fuse is a safety device that cuts power to the oven if it overheats. Once blown, it doesn't reset — the oven won't heat at all until the fuse is replaced. This is a quick, inexpensive fix ($80–$130) but requires finding and addressing the underlying cause of the overheating.

When should you repair vs. replace? If your oven is under 10 years old, repair is almost always worth it. Gas ranges in particular are built to last 15+ years. If the control board has failed on a unit over 12 years old, it may be worth comparing the repair cost to a new range.

GTA Appliance Pros repairs ovens and stoves across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, and the rest of the GTA. Call (647) 996-7555 for same-day diagnosis — we carry common parts on the truck and fix most ovens in a single visit.