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Electric Oven Not Heating
Your electric oven turns on but does not heat up properly — food is not cooking or takes much longer than it should.
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What's happening?
An electric oven that powers on (the light and display work) but does not heat up usually has a failed heating element, a faulty thermostat, or a broken fan motor (in fan ovens). The oven may have partial heat (one element works but another does not) or no heat at all. This is different from a complete power loss, which points to a circuit or wiring fault.
What usually causes it?
- Oven heating element has burned out (visible as a break or blister in the element)
- Fan motor has failed in a fan oven, so heat is not circulating
- Thermostat has failed and is not calling for heat
- Selector switch is faulty and not routing power to the correct element
- Thermal cut-out has activated due to a previous overheating event
Is it dangerous?
An oven that does not heat is not immediately dangerous, but you should not attempt to disassemble it if it is hardwired. If the oven is making unusual noises, producing a burning smell (that is not food), or showing signs of electrical damage (scorch marks, sparks), turn it off at the cooker isolator and call an electrician.
Can I fix it myself?
Check that the oven is set to the correct function and temperature. Try the grill element separately to see if it works — this helps identify whether one specific element has failed. Check that the clock or timer is not set to automatic mode (a common gotcha that prevents the oven from heating). If you can access the element, visually inspect it for breaks or blistering.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician if the oven is hardwired and needs element or component replacement, if the cooker connection unit or wiring is suspected, or if the oven trips the electrics when you try to use it. For plug-in ovens, an appliance repair engineer may be more appropriate for internal component replacement.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Test the cooker circuit to confirm power is reaching the oven
- Inspect the cooker connection unit and isolator for faults
- Test individual elements, thermostat, and fan motor for continuity and earth faults
- Replace the failed element or component
- Test the oven and circuit after repair
What will it cost to fix?
£80–£250
Element replacement including parts is typically £100–£180. Thermostat or fan motor replacement is similar. If the circuit or connection unit needs work, electrician rates apply.
Find an electricianFrequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
Why does my oven turn on but not heat up?
If the light and display work but there is no heat, a heating element, thermostat, or fan motor has most likely failed. The oven has power but cannot convert it to heat.
Can I replace an oven element myself?
For a plug-in oven, a competent person can replace an element if they can source the correct part. For a hardwired oven, the cooker circuit must be isolated at the consumer unit first, and if any work on the fixed wiring is needed, call an electrician.
How do I know if it is the element or the thermostat?
If the element has a visible break, blister, or burn mark, it has failed. If the element looks fine, the thermostat or selector switch may be faulty. An electrician can test these components.
Why does my fan oven cook unevenly?
If the fan has stopped working, heat is not being circulated and the oven will have hot and cold spots. Listen for the fan — if it is silent, the fan motor needs replacing.
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