Oven & Range Troubleshooting Tips

Oven won't heat or heats unevenly

Safe things you can check:

• On an electric oven, look at the bake element on the bottom — if it's blistered, cracked, or not glowing evenly, it's failing.
• Check calibration with a separate oven thermometer; ovens can drift 25–50°F over time.
• Never line the oven floor with foil — it blocks heat and airflow and causes uneven baking.

When to call us: A dead or damaged bake/broil element, oven sensor, or control board needs a technician — that's routine for us.

Gas burner won't light (cooktop)

Safe things you can check:

• Make sure the burner cap is seated correctly and the ports are clean — food and spills clog them.
• After a spill or cleaning, let the burner dry fully; moisture stops ignition.
• Listen for the igniter clicking; if other burners light, the issue is likely just that burner's port.

When to call us: If the igniter won't click or spark, or you smell gas, stop and call us (and the utility first if you smell gas).

Electric coil or surface element won't heat

Safe things you can check:

• For a plug-in coil, reseat it firmly in the socket.
• Swap in a known-good element of the same size to see if the element or the socket is at fault.

When to call us: A bad element socket, infinite switch, or wiring should be handled by a tech.

Oven temperature is off or self-clean won't run

Safe things you can check:

• Recheck with an oven thermometer before assuming it's broken.
• Make sure the oven door is fully closed and the racks are positioned normally.

When to call us: Calibration that won't hold, or a self-clean/door-lock fault, usually points to the sensor or control — give us a call.

Get it fixed — fast and honest

If the simple checks above didn't do it, we're ready to help. Call (256) 798-0959 or send a request — we serve Madison, Alabama and nearby on all major brands, and because we don't sell appliances, we only ever recommend the repair that's right for you. Or book directly: Oven & Range Repair.