Oven not heating: causes and fixes
An oven that powers on but no longer heats is a very common fault, and nearly always repairable at modest cost. Three parts are responsible in almost every case: the heating element, the thermostat or the timer.
Safety first
Switch off the oven's circuit breaker before doing anything. A built-in oven stays live even when switched off at its controls.
The causes, from most to least common
Check them in this order: the first ones are free and solve the majority of cases.
- 1
Burnt-out heating element
very commonHow to check: Look at the top and bottom elements: a break, a blister or a bright spot is visible to the naked eye. It no longer glows red when heating.
Fix: Replace the element concerned - a manageable job on most ovens.
ModerateEstimated cost: 25 to 60 € for the part, 90 to 160 € fitted - 2
Thermostat out of calibration or dead
commonHow to check: The oven heats but never reaches the temperature shown, or gets far too hot. An oven thermometer confirms the gap.
Fix: Replace the thermostat.
ModerateEstimated cost: 30 to 70 € for the part, 100 to 170 € fitted - 3
Timer set to delayed start
commonHow to check: A clock symbol or 'AUTO' is displayed: the oven is waiting for a programmed start time and refuses to heat.
Fix: Reset the timer to manual mode (often by holding the clock button for a few seconds).
EasyEstimated cost: 0 € - 4
Thermal cut-out tripped
less commonHow to check: The oven shut down abruptly after overheating (pyrolytic cycle, blocked ventilation) and won't restart.
Fix: Some models have a resettable safety thermostat. Otherwise the part needs replacing.
ProfessionalEstimated cost: 80 to 150 €
If you take this out-of-warranty oven to a QualiRépar-certified repairer, 25€ comes off the invoice.
| Repair by a professional | 80 to 150 € |
| Repair bonus deducted | - 25 € |
| What you pay | 55 to 125 € |
Indicative estimate: the real price depends on the part, the model and the call-out. The bonus can never exceed the invoice total.
How to claim the repair bonus →When to call a professional
If you aren't comfortable with electrics, leave the element or thermostat replacement to a repairer: it still costs far less than a new oven (400 to 900 € for a built-in).
Find a repairer near you →Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if an oven element has failed?
Inspect it visually: a burnt-out element often shows a break, a blister or a bright spot, and no longer glows when heating. A continuity test with a multimeter confirms it.
Should you replace an oven that no longer heats?
Rarely. An element or a thermostat costs 90 to 170 € fitted, against 400 to 900 € for a new built-in oven. Replacement is only justified on a very old appliance with several faults at once.
Your oven may be nearing the end of its life: a oven lasts 10 to 15 years. Beyond that, an expensive repair is harder to justify.