Cooking · 4 min read
Oven not heating? Safe checks before you book
How to isolate the appliance, when to check the fuse, and when to stop and call a professional.
Safety first — do not use the appliance
If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. For immediate danger call 999.
This professional guide has been compiled by the Kettlebridge engineering team to help you diagnose and, where safe, resolve common appliance issues. We provide these steps based on thousands of successful repairs across the UK.
Follow the troubleshooting steps below in order. Remember: safety is paramount. If you encounter any step that involves live electricity, gas connections, or complex disassembly that you are not comfortable with, stop immediately and contact a professional.
Step-by-step checks
- Check the fuse box. A tripped breaker or blown fuse is a common cause after a bulb blowout.
- Test with a simple recipe. Set the oven to 180°C for 15 minutes and listen for the fan and click of the thermostat.
- Inspect the element (visually). A cracked or blistered element is easy to spot but must be replaced by a qualified engineer.
Safety notes
- Never attempt to replace an element while the oven is powered.
- If you smell burning plastic, isolate at the fuse box and book a repair.
When to book a repair
If the fuse is fine, the fan spins, but the oven stays cold, the heating element or thermostat has typically failed.