Why is my Whirlpool gas oven not heating?
In most Whirlpool gas ovens that will not heat, the cause is a weak bake igniter. The igniter is a small glow bar next to the burner under the oven floor. It has to get hot enough to open the gas valve. When it wears out, it still glows, but it never gets hot enough, so the gas never comes on and the oven stays cold.
This is one of the most common oven calls we get in Evanston, and it always seems to happen right before a holiday. Here is how it works, what signs to look for, and what we found on a recent repair.
How does a gas oven igniter work?
Most Whirlpool gas ranges use a hot surface igniter. When you turn the oven on, power goes to the igniter and it starts to glow. As it heats up, it lets more electric current through. Only when the current is strong enough does the safety gas valve open and the burner light.
Over time, the igniter gets weaker. It still glows orange, so it looks like it is working. But it no longer pulls enough current to open the valve. That is why so many people tell us, "I can see it glowing, but nothing happens."
Signs your oven igniter is going bad
- The oven takes much longer to preheat than it used to, or never reaches the set temperature.
- You can see a glow through the slots in the oven floor, but no flame.
- You hear a loud whoosh when the burner finally lights.
- You smell a little gas for a moment before the flame comes on.
- The oven heats, then cools down and does not come back on.
- Broil works but bake does not. Many Whirlpool models have a separate igniter for each.
If you notice any of these, stop using the oven until it is checked. A weak igniter lets a little gas collect before it lights, and that is not something to ignore.
What we found on a recent Evanston repair
An Evanston homeowner called us because their Whirlpool gas range would not bake. The stovetop burners worked fine, and the display turned on. But after a long wait, the oven was still cold.
Our technician took out the racks and removed the oven floor panel to reach the bake burner. With the oven turned on, the igniter glowed, but the burner never lit. That told him the gas valve was not getting enough current to open. He tested the igniter, confirmed it was too weak, and replaced it.
After the new igniter was in, he ran the oven through a full preheat, checked that the flame lit cleanly along the whole burner, and checked the gas connection. The oven was ready for the holidays.
Location: Evanston, IL
Appliance: Whirlpool gas range
Problem: Oven would not heat, stovetop worked
Cause: Weak bake igniter
Repair: Replaced the igniter, tested the burner and gas connection
Is it the igniter or something else?
The igniter is the most common cause, but not the only one. These parts can also stop a gas oven from heating:
- Gas safety valve: less common, but it can fail even with a good igniter.
- Temperature sensor: if the sensor reads wrong, the oven may shut off the burner too early.
- Control board: if the board does not send power to the igniter, it will not glow at all.
- Gas supply: if the stovetop burners also do not light, check that the gas valve behind the range is open.
A technician can test each part so you only pay for the one that actually failed. You can read more about this in our posts on why an oven is not heating up and a gas range that will not ignite.
What you can check before you call
- Make sure the range is plugged in. Gas ovens still need power for the igniter.
- Check the breaker if the display is blank.
- Make sure the oven is not set to a timed bake or locked.
- Look through the floor slots for the glow, so you can tell the technician what you saw.
Please do not try to force the burner to light with a match. That is not safe on a modern gas oven.
Gas oven repair in Evanston and nearby
Our Evanston team repairs Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire and other gas and electric ovens across Evanston, Skokie and nearby towns. See our oven, stove and range repair page, or book online. Every repair comes with a 30-day warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my gas oven not heating but the stovetop works?
The stovetop and the oven use different parts. The burners on top have their own spark igniters, while the oven uses a separate bake igniter and gas valve. When only the oven stops heating, the bake igniter is the most common cause.
How do I know if my oven igniter is bad?
Look through the slots in the oven floor after you turn the oven on. If the igniter glows orange but the burner never lights, or it lights very late, the igniter is too weak. If it does not glow at all, the igniter, its wiring or the control may have failed.
Is it safe to use a gas oven that takes a long time to light?
It is not a good idea. A weak igniter lets a little gas build up before the flame catches, which can cause a loud whoosh when it lights. Stop using the oven and have the igniter checked.
Can I replace a Whirlpool oven igniter myself?
It means removing the oven floor, working near the gas line and handling wires. If you are not comfortable with gas appliances, it is safer to have a technician do it and test the gas connection after.
Why does my Whirlpool oven broil but not bake?
Many Whirlpool gas ranges have one igniter for the bake burner on the bottom and another for the broil burner on top. If broil works and bake does not, the bake igniter is the first part to test.
What should I do if I smell gas near my oven?
Turn the oven off, do not use any switches or flames, open a window and leave the house. Call your gas company from outside. Once the gas company says it is safe, call us to repair the oven.
