Maytag Oven: not heating properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag oven not heating properly? This issue can manifest as slow preheating, failure to reach the set temperature, or uneven cooking during bake or broil cycles. Identifying the root cause early can help you restore optimal performance and delicious results.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag official guidance highlights thermostat/calibration settings and sensor position can affect heating accuracy.

Possible Causes

Faulty heating element (electric models)

How to Identify: Visible cracks, blistering, or breaks in the element; oven fails to glow hot; uneven or no heat during operation.

Part: Bake and/or broil heating element

Control or calibration issue

How to Identify: Oven doesn’t reach set temperature but elements and sensors appear intact; inconsistent results across different recipes.

Part: Control board / internal calibration settings

Faulty igniter (gas models)

How to Identify: Gas oven won’t heat or ignites slowly; igniter doesn’t glow or draws insufficient current when operating.

Part: Gas oven igniter

Oven door seal/gasket failure

How to Identify: Heat escapes from oven during operation; interior takes much longer to reach temperature; hot exterior surface.

Part: Oven door gasket/seal

DIY Solutions

Inspect and Replace Faulty Heating Element (Electric Ovens)

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Disconnect oven power at breaker.
  2. Remove oven racks and locate the bake element at the bottom (and broil element at the top if applicable).
  3. Visually inspect heating elements for damage.
  4. Use a multimeter to check continuity; no continuity indicates a bad element.
  5. Replace the element with a compatible Maytag part and reconnect wiring.
  6. Restore power and test heating performance.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before servicing electrical components.

Test and Replace Temperature Sensor

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Turn off power at breaker.
  2. Locate the temperature sensor inside the oven (often near the back).
  3. Disconnect and measure resistance at room temperature (should match manual specs).
  4. Replace if out of spec with a compatible replacement sensor.
  5. Reconnect and restore power to test oven heating.
⚠️ Safety First: Confirm correct part number for your exact model.

Professional Repairs

Diagnose and Replace Igniter (Gas Ovens)

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Control Board Inspection/Replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

You have a gas oven and smell gas or suspect a gas supply/ignition issue.
Multimeter testing is inconclusive or you’re uncomfortable handling internal components.
Replacing control boards or internal electronics beyond basic parts.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean oven interior and heating elements: Build-up that can affect heat distribution
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Inspect door gasket for wear: Heat loss and uneven heating
    Frequency: Quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Oven not heating properly?
Common causes include a faulty heating element, control issues, or a bad igniter in gas models.
How do I fix Maytag Oven not heating properly myself?
Inspect and replace the heating element or test the temperature sensor for issues.
How much does it cost to fix not heating properly?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $400 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not heating properly?
If DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if the problem involves the igniter or control board.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

33%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty control board (2 mentions)
  • Faulty igniter (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the old igniter with a new OEM igniter.

    Success rate: 33.0%

  2. Replace the control board due to a stuck relay.

    Success rate: 33.0%

  3. Check and possibly replace the thermostat sensor or control board.

    Success rate: 33.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Oven still heating when off, over 600 F
  2. Gas oven preheat smells maybe more than usual?
  3. Oven will heat until it's unplugged?

Community Discussions

smells consistently during preheat, slow preheat

Replace the old igniter with a new OEM igniter.

DIY View on Reddit →

Oven still heating when off, over 600 F

Relay was stuck on, requiring a complete board replacement.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Oven heats continuously until unplugged

Possible faulty thermostat sensor or control board issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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