Why Did My Oven Shut Off?

How many times has your oven given up on you in your hour of need? While you were baking holiday pies, cooking the Thanksgiving turkey or prepping for a dinner party with the in-laws? If your oven is ol’ unreliable, you’ll know that one shutoff is too many.

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If you’re having trouble with your oven shutting off while cooking, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explain why your oven might have gone on strike and how you can fix it.

Why Does My Gas Oven Keep Turning Off?

There are several reasons your gas oven might keep turning off, but in general, these need to be checked by a gas professional to ensure your safety.

• Faulty gas valves and clogged gas lines are frequently the cause of an oven repeatedly turning off. Both problems limit the gas supply, so there’s not enough to ignite or sustain the flame. The valve and line need to be checked for leaks or blockages.
• A malfunctioning igniter or spark electrode may not produce a consistent spark if it's damaged or dirty. Cleaning or replacing it should fix the problem.
• It could be a defective thermostat or temperature sensor. These components monitor and regulate the oven’s temperature, so if they’re faulty, they’ll struggle to detect or control the temperature accurately. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to test these, but replacing them should be left to a professional.

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Why Does My Electric Oven Turn Off by Itself?

As with gas ovens, the following suggestions assume you’ll hire a qualified electric oven technician to conduct any repairs or replacements. Let’s look at why your electric oven might be switching itself off:

• The ventilation system or the cooling fan may be the culprit. These components dissipate the heat to prevent overheating, so if they’re blocked or damaged, the oven may overheat, triggering the safety feature that shuts it off. Cleaning or replacing the ventilation system or the cooling fan should fix this problem.
• Another possible reason is a damaged heating element or connector. Both generate heat in the oven, so if they’re broken or short-circuited, they won’t heat the oven properly and might trigger a power surge. The solution is to replace them.
• A faulty control board or display won’t send or receive the correct signals to the oven, causing it to turn off. Check the control board, using the troubleshooting tips in the manufacturer’s guide. If that's the problem, you’ll probably need to get the control board or display replaced.

Why Won’t My Oven Stay On?

If your gas or electric oven shuts itself off, it could be due to any of the reasons mentioned above. However, there could be other factors affecting the oven’s performance:

• The oven door helps maintain the temperature and the airflow. If it’s not closed properly or has a faulty latch or seal, it may cause the oven to lose heat or turn off. Make sure the door is closed securely, and check the latch and the seal for damage or wear.
• The timer allows you to set the cooking time. If it’s not set correctly or has a malfunction, it may cause the oven to turn off prematurely or unexpectedly. Make sure the timer is set correctly, and check it for faults or errors.
• If your oven’s power supply is interrupted or unstable, it may cause it to turn off or reset. Check the power cord, the outlet, the circuit breaker and the fuse for any damage or loose connections. Contact an electrician to fix any faults.

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Can an Oven Overheat and Turn Off?

Yes, if your oven overheats, its built-in safety features should turn it off to prevent a fire or explosion. Your oven will have a thermal fuse or temperature sensor to detect its temperature, turning the oven off when it reaches a certain limit.

How Do I Know If My Oven Fuse Is Blown?

The fuse protects the oven from electrical damage by breaking the circuit when there's a power surge or overload. If the fuse is blown, it will cut off the power to the oven and cause it to turn off.

You can check the fuse’s continuity with a multimeter or a continuity tester, either of which will show no or a very low reading if the fuse is blown. If the fuse is intact, it will show a normal reading or make a beeping sound.