10 Reasons Your Electric Oven Won’t Heat Up in Sacramento and Nearby Areas

There’s nothing worse than preheating your oven for dinner, only to find it won’t get hot. Whether you live in Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, or Folsom, an electric oven that won’t heat up can turn a relaxing evening into a stressful one.

From faulty heating elements to wiring issues or temperature sensor problems, many causes can keep your oven cold. The good news? Some are simple fixes you can try yourself—while others require a professional oven repair service.

At Fair Appliance Repair Service Sacramento, we’ve repaired thousands of ovens across the region. In this guide, we’ll break down:

✅ The 10 most common reasons your electric oven won’t heat

✅ Step-by-step troubleshooting tips for homeowners

✅ Local repair insights for Sacramento-area homes

✅ When to repair vs. replace your oven

✅ FAQs to answer the most common concerns

Let’s dive into the most likely culprits—and what you can do about them.

⚡ Basic Troubleshooting for Sacramento Homeowners

Before diving into complex repairs, start with the simple checks. You’d be surprised how often the solution is something small.

1. Is Your Oven Unplugged?

Yes, it happens more often than you’d think. After cleaning behind the appliance or moving it, the oven may be partially unplugged. Even if lights or displays work, heating elements need full connection.

How to Fix It:

✔ Pull the oven away from the wall carefully.

✔ The check plug is fully inserted.

✔ Unplug and replug securely.

✔ Test by turning the oven back on.

💡 Sacramento Tip: In older homes in East Sacramento and Land Park, loose outlets are common. If the plug feels wobbly, you may need an electrician.

2. Tripped Circuit Breaker or Power Supply Issues

Electric ovens draw heavy power. In many older Sacramento homes, circuit breakers can trip easily.

How to Fix It:

✔ Go to your electrical panel.

✔ Look for tripped breakers marked “Kitchen” or “Range.”

✔ Flip OFF then ON to reset.

✔ If the breaker keeps tripping → call an electrician.

💡 Local Note: In Roseville and Elk Grove, many newer homes have dedicated oven circuits. If your breaker trips frequently, it could mean faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.

🔌 Common Electrical Issues in Sacramento Ovens

If your oven is plugged in and has power but still won’t heat, it’s time to check deeper electrical components.

3. Faulty Bake Element

The bake element at the bottom of your oven provides most of the heat. Over time, it can crack or burn out.

How to Check:

✅ Look for burn spots, cracks, or blistering.

✅ If it doesn’t glow red when turned on → it’s dead.

How to Fix:

✅ Order the correct replacement part (model-specific).

✅ Turn off breaker, unplug oven.

✅ Remove screws, detach wires, install new elements.

💡 Case Study: A Folsom homeowner noticed uneven baking. The bottom element was cracked. After replacement, her oven baked evenly again.

4. Faulty Wiring or Connections

Inside every oven is a network of wires. Over years of heat cycles, wires can loosen, corrode, or burn.

How to Fix:

👉 Turn the breaker OFF.

👉 Inspect wiring behind panels.

👉 Look for melted, burnt, or loose wires.

👉 Replace with manufacturer-approved wires.

⚠️ Safety Note: DIY wiring is risky. Call a pro if unsure.

5. Tripped High-Temperature Safety Switch or Fuse

Electric ovens include safety fuses to prevent overheating. Sacramento’s hot summers often trigger these fuses.

How to Fix:

👉 Locate high-limit thermostat in your manual.

Test with a multimeter.

👉 Replace if blown.

If it trips again → bigger issues like poor ventilation.

💡 Local Note: Homes in Elk Grove with small kitchens see this more often due to less airflow.

🌡️ Oven Temperature Sensor Problems

Sensors inside modern ovens constantly check temperature. If faulty, the oven won’t heat correctly.

6. Bad Temperature Sensor

If the sensor gives wrong readings, the control board won’t send power to elements.

How to Fix:

👉 Use a multimeter to test resistance (should change with heat).

Replace if readings are off.

7. Error Code or Faulty Sensor Wiring

Some ovens display error codes (like F1, F3, etc.) when sensors fail.

How to Fix:

✔ Check manual for code meaning.

✔ Inspect sensor wiring for breaks or corrosion.

Replace sensor or wiring if faulty.

💡 Sacramento Note: Hard water in some areas leads to mineral deposits that corrode oven wiring faster.

🔧 Other Mechanical Faults

8. Burnt Igniter or Defective Thermostat

Even in electric ovens, igniters and thermostats play roles. If either fails → no heat.

How to Fix:

✅ Replace igniter if cracked or doesn’t glow.

✅ Thermostat can sometimes be recalibrated, otherwise replace.

9. Oven Door Does Not Seal Correctly

Heat escapes if your oven door doesn’t close tight.

How to Fix:

✅ Inspect gasket around door.

✅ Replace if cracked or stiff.

✅ Ensure door hinges align properly.

💡 Tip: In older Sacramento rentals, worn gaskets are a common issue.

10. Faulty Selector Switch

The selector switch tells your oven which mode to use (bake, broil, etc.). If burnt → oven won’t heat.

How to Fix:

✅ Test with multimeter.

Replace if defective.

📊 Repair vs. Replace: Sacramento Ovens

👉 Problem

👉 Repair Cost

👉 Replace?

👉 Bake element

👉 $100–$200

👉 No

👉 Wiring/fuse

👉 $150–$300

👉 No

✔ Sensor/thermostat

$120–$250

✔ No

✔ Control board

$250–$450

✔ Maybe

Old oven (10+ years)

✔ Yes

💡 Rule of Thumb: If repairs cost 50% of a new oven, replacement is smarter.

🛠️ Why Trust Fair Appliance Repair Sacramento?

✔️ Same-day oven repair across Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom

✔️ Factory-trained, licensed technicians

✔️ Transparent pricing, warranties on parts

✔️ Experience with all major brands: GE, Whirlpool, LG, Samsung

📞 Call: (916) 333-8388

🌐 Visit: farshomeservices.com

🔴 FAQs – Oven Repair in Sacramento

Q1: Why is my oven not heating, but the stove works?

✅ Likely a faulty bake element or thermostat.

Q2: Can I replace the heating element myself?

✅ Yes, if comfortable. But call a pro if unsure.

Q3: Why won’t my oven reach correct temperature?

✅ Could be sensor or thermostat issue.

Q4: Should I repair or replace my oven?

✅ Under 10 years = repair. Over 10 years + multiple issues = replace.

Q5: How much does oven repair cost in Sacramento?

✅ Typical repairs cost $120–$350.