Whirlpool Oven: not heating

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing issues with your Whirlpool oven not heating? Despite powering on and setting Bake or Broil, the oven cavity fails to heat, leaving your food uncooked. This could stem from several causes like a faulty igniter, a burned-out heating element, or even incorrect control settings. Understanding these potential issues can help you troubleshoot effectively and ensure your oven operates as expected.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Whirlpool Models

  • Whirlpool official support notes that Delay Start settings or Demo Mode can make an electric oven appear to run while preventing heating; cancelling Delay Start and disabling Demo Mode are recommended first checks.
  • Whirlpool electric ranges often use hidden bake elements; accessing/testing may require removing the oven bottom panel to reach the element terminals.

Possible Causes

Failed gas bake igniter (weak igniter that glows but does not draw enough current to open the safety valve)

How to Identify: Gas oven set to Bake: igniter either does not glow at all OR glows but burner does not light within ~30–90 seconds. Often no gas smell because the safety valve stays closed. Broil may still work on some models.

Part: Oven igniter (gas models)

Burned out or open bake heating element (including hidden bake element designs)

How to Identify: Electric oven set to Bake: no heat and bake element does not glow red. Visual inspection may show blisters, cracks, or holes. Multimeter continuity test shows the element is open (no continuity.

Part: Bake element (electric models; may be hidden under oven floor on many Whirlpool ranges)

Control settings preventing heating (Delay Start, Demo Mode, improper mode selection)

How to Identify: Display works normally but oven never begins heating; Delay Start is enabled (scheduled start time shown or Demo Mode is active (unit appears to operate but does not heat. Cancelling Delay Start or disabling Demo Mode restores heating.

Part: User interface / control settings

Faulty oven temperature sensor (RTD sensor) or sensor circuit (out-of-range resistance / open circuit)

How to Identify: Oven heats inconsistently, may not reach set temperature, may stop heating early, or may trigger error codes on some models. Sensor resistance test may be out of specification (varies by model.

Part: Oven temperature sensor (RTD) / sensor harness

Failed electronic oven control board (EOC) / relay board not sending power to bake element or igniter

How to Identify: Bake element/igniter tests good, wiring is intact, but no voltage is delivered to the heating circuit during a heat call. Sometimes accompanied by burning smell, visible relay damage, or intermittent heating that worsens over time.

Part: Control board (EOC) and/or relay board (model-dependent)

Burned/loose wiring, terminal block, or connector causing loss of power to heating circuit

How to Identify: Visible burned wires/connectors near bake element terminals, terminal block, or control/relay board; intermittent heating; arcing signs; melted insulation.

Part: Wiring harness, terminal block, element connectors

DIY Solutions

Rule out Whirlpool control settings (Delay Start / Demo Mode) that prevent heating

Easy 2-10 minutes
  1. Cancel any active Delay Start: press CANCEL/OFF, then set BAKE and START immediately (do not schedule a time).
  2. Check for Demo Mode: consult the Whirlpool Product Help guidance for your model; disable Demo Mode if enabled (often requires a specific key combination).
  3. Retry BAKE at 350°F and confirm that heat begins within a few minutes.
⚠️ Safety First: If the oven begins heating after disabling a mode, monitor the first full cycle to confirm stable operation.

Inspect and test the bake heating element (electric ovens)

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver or nut driver, Multimeter, Work gloves
  1. Turn off power at the breaker (electric ovens require full power disconnect).
  2. Visually inspect the bake element for blisters, cracks, or holes (on hidden bake elements, remove the oven bottom panel as shown in Whirlpool-specific guides).
  3. Remove at least one wire lead from the element terminal and test for continuity with a multimeter; an open circuit indicates a failed element.
  4. If failed, replace the bake element with the correct Whirlpool-compatible part and reassemble before restoring power.
⚠️ Safety First: Always shut off breaker power before touching element terminals or wiring.

Check gas oven igniter operation (gas ovens) and replace if weak

Advanced 45-90 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver or nut driver, Multimeter (optional but recommended), Work gloves
  1. Turn oven to BAKE and observe through the oven bottom vents/ports (or by removing panels per a Whirlpool-compatible guide): confirm whether the igniter glows.
  2. If the igniter glows but the burner never lights after ~30–90 seconds, treat it as a likely weak igniter and replace it (common failure pattern).
  3. If the igniter does not glow at all, verify wiring connections to the igniter and check for visible damage; if wiring is intact, replace the igniter as a first-line fix per common repair guidance.
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off gas supply before disassembly if required by your model/service guidance.

Professional Repairs

Replace electronic oven control board (EOC) or relay board

Estimated Cost: $180 - $450

Repair/replace burned wiring, terminal block, or damaged connectors

Estimated Cost: $120 - $350

Replace oven temperature sensor and diagnose sensor circuit errors

Estimated Cost: $150 - $300

When to Call a Professional

You smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a gas leak while troubleshooting a gas oven.
Breaker trips repeatedly when the oven is turned on (suggests shorted wiring, element, or control circuitry).
Bake element/igniter has tested good but there is no voltage supplied during a heat call (requires live-voltage diagnosis and control board/relay troubleshooting).
You find melted/burned wiring or a damaged terminal block (risk of fire/arc faults).

Preventive Maintenance

  • Keep the oven interior and vents clean; remove heavy spills that can damage hidden bake element covers or interfere with heat distribution.: Premature element damage and uneven heating
    Frequency: Monthly (light cleaning) / as needed after spills
  • Avoid slamming the oven door and avoid using the door as a shelf for heavy items.: Loose wiring/connectors and sensor alignment issues over time
    Frequency: Always
  • Run a quick functional check after power outages to ensure Delay Start/Demo Mode were not inadvertently activated and that bake and broil both heat.: No-heat situations caused by control settings
    Frequency: After outages or control resets

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Whirlpool Oven not heating?
Common causes include a failed gas igniter, burned-out bake element, or incorrect control settings.
How do I fix Whirlpool Oven not heating myself?
Check control settings for Delay Start or Demo Mode, inspect the bake element, or test the gas igniter.
How much does it cost to fix not heating?
Professional repair costs range from $120 to $450 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not heating?
Consider a technician if DIY fixes don’t resolve the issue, especially for complex repairs.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

57%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Igniter failure (5 mentions)
  • Temperature sensor issues (4 mentions)
  • Control board malfunction (4 mentions)
  • Thermocouple problems (3 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replaced the bottom heating element which was warped and tested at zero continuity.

    Success rate: 4.0%

  2. Cleaned scorch marks and resoldered components; oven is working fine now.

    Success rate: 4.0%

  3. After reseating connectors and checking continuity, the oven is now heating properly.

    Success rate: 4.0%

  4. Replace the spark module board.

    Success rate: 4.0%

  5. Replace the worn glow bar igniter to ensure proper gas flow and ignition.

    Success rate: 4.0%
Analysis based on 14 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Electric oven won't come to temperature baking
  2. Whirlpool range control board: quick fix, or ticking fire ha...
  3. Why does my gas range oven only preheat when I turn on the s...
  4. Gas oven stops lighting after being on a few hours
  5. How can I replace an Oven/Range Temperature Sensor with a no...
  6. Neither bake or broil works on Whirlpool Amana oven. Replace...
  7. Whirlpool WOS51EC7AS02 Error Code F1E0 after replacing contr...
  8. Oven won't hold temperature
  9. Whirlpool gs445lems
  10. Gas Whirlpool Oven Keeps Shutting Itself Off
  11. Whirlpool oven won’t keep temperature
  12. Whirlpool gas oven - bake and broiler won’t heat but stoveto...
  13. 2002 Whirlpool Accubake oven screen fades and doesn't heat u...
  14. Bake and broil not working. I feel like I’ve everything

Community Discussions

Electric oven won't come to temperature baking

Replaced the bottom heating element which was warped and tested at zero continuity.

DIY View on Reddit →

oven only preheats when stovetop burners are on

Replace the worn glow bar igniter to ensure proper gas flow and ignition.

DIY View on Reddit →

oven will not light

Replace the spark module board.

DIY View on Reddit →

confusion about whether the oven is gas or electric

The oven is a gas oven, and the bake element power listed is for an air fryer feature.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

oven hasn't been heating properly

After reseating connectors and checking continuity, the oven is now heating properly.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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