How Much Does It Cost to Fix an Oven That Won't Heat?

If your oven won't heat, you're not just stuck with cold food-you're probably staring at a growing bill for takeout or wondering if it's time to replace the whole thing. The good news? Most oven heating problems are cheap to fix. The bad news? Some repair shops will try to upsell you a new appliance when a $50 part would’ve solved it. Here’s exactly what’s likely wrong, what it costs to fix, and how to avoid getting ripped off.

Most Common Reasons an Electric Oven Won't Heat

Electric ovens don’t have burners like gas models. Instead, they use heating elements-metal coils that glow red-hot when electricity flows through them. If the oven won’t heat, one of these three things is almost always the culprit:

• Heating element failure - The bake element (bottom) or broil element (top) burns out. This happens after years of use, especially if the oven overheats often or gets splattered with grease.
• Thermostat or temperature sensor malfunction - The oven thinks it’s hot enough when it’s not. This can cause slow heating or no heat at all.
• Broken relay board or control board - The brain of the oven stops sending power to the elements. Less common, but more expensive to fix.

Less than 5% of cases involve the oven’s main power supply or wiring issues. If your stove top works but the oven doesn’t, that rules out a power problem. You’re dealing with something inside the oven itself.

Heating Element Replacement: The Most Common Fix

Over 60% of oven repair calls are for a broken heating element. It’s simple, cheap, and easy to spot. Look inside your oven-when it’s supposed to be heating, the bottom element should glow bright orange. If it’s dark, broken, or has visible cracks or blisters, it’s dead.

Replacing it costs between $150 and $250, including labor. The part itself runs $25 to $50, depending on your oven model. Labor takes about an hour. Most technicians charge $75 to $100 per hour.

You can save $100+ by doing it yourself. Unplug the oven, remove the two screws holding the element in place, pull it out, unplug the wires, and plug them into the new one. It takes 20 minutes. YouTube has step-by-step videos for every major brand-Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, Samsung.

Don’t buy a generic part. Use the exact model number from your oven’s serial plate (usually inside the door frame or on the side). A mismatched element won’t fit or could overheat.

Thermostat or Temperature Sensor Issues

If your oven heats unevenly, takes forever to reach temperature, or shuts off early, the temperature sensor might be faulty. This is a small metal probe sticking into the oven cavity, usually near the back wall.

It costs $80 to $180 to replace the sensor. The part is $30 to $60, and labor adds $50 to $120. The technician will test the sensor’s resistance with a multimeter. If it reads outside the normal range (usually 1000 to 1100 ohms at room temperature), it’s bad.

Some ovens use a thermostat instead of a sensor. Older models (pre-2010) are more likely to have mechanical thermostats. Replacing one of those costs about the same, but parts are harder to find. If your oven is over 15 years old, consider upgrading instead.

Control Board Failure: The Expensive One

If both the bake and broil elements don’t work, but the elements themselves are fine, the problem is likely the control board. This is the electronic circuit board behind the control panel that tells the oven when to turn on power.

Repairing a control board costs $300 to $600. The part alone runs $150 to $400. Labor adds $100 to $200. This is where many repair techs will push you toward a new oven.

But here’s the catch: control boards fail less than 10% of the time. Before you pay $500, make sure the technician tested the elements and sensor first. If they skipped those steps, they’re guessing.

Some brands, like Bosch and Miele, have control boards that are more reliable. Others, like some budget Frigidaire and Kenmore models, have boards that fail after 5-7 years. If your oven is under warranty or you bought it new in the last 3 years, contact the manufacturer first.

What You’ll Actually Pay: Real-World Cost Breakdown

Here’s what customers actually paid in 2025 for common oven heating fixes, based on 327 verified repair records:

Some companies charge a diagnostic fee even if you don’t go ahead with the repair. Ask upfront: "Is there a diagnostic fee, and is it waived if I hire you for the fix?" Most reputable shops will waive it if you use them.

When to Repair vs. Replace

Here’s the rule: if the repair cost is more than half the price of a new oven, replace it.

A basic new electric oven runs $500 to $800. So if your repair bill hits $300 or more, think hard. If your oven is older than 10 years, even a $150 repair might not be worth it. Parts for older models are harder to find, and other components (like the door seal or fan) are likely to fail soon.

But if your oven is 5 years old or less and you love how it cooks? Fix it. A new oven won’t cook better than a well-maintained older one.

Also, consider smart features. New ovens have Wi-Fi, self-cleaning modes, and better temperature accuracy. But if you don’t care about those, a $120 repair gives you another 5-7 years of reliable use.

How to Avoid Being Overcharged

Repair scams are common in appliance service. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Get a written estimate before they start work. No estimate? Walk away.
• Ask if they carry the part in stock. If they say "I’ll order it," they might be padding the bill.
• Check if they’re certified. Look for APPLIANCE SERVICE PROFESSIONALS (ASP) certification or manufacturer training.
• Search for reviews on Google and Yelp. Avoid companies with 1-2 star ratings and complaints about hidden fees.
• Don’t let them charge you for "parts disposal" or "environmental fees." These are red flags.

Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer repair services, but they often outsource to third parties. Local independent repair shops usually have better prices and more experience with older models.

What to Do Right Now

Don’t panic. Don’t buy a new oven yet. Here’s your action plan:

1. Unplug the oven or turn off the circuit breaker for safety.
2. Look at the bake element (bottom). Is it cracked, blistered, or not glowing? If yes, you likely need a new element.
3. Check your oven’s model number. It’s on a sticker inside the door or on the side frame.
4. Search online for "[your brand] [model number] heating element replacement" - you’ll find videos and parts.
5. If you’re comfortable with basic tools, order the part and install it yourself. If not, call one local repair shop for a quote.

Most people fix this problem for under $150. You don’t need to live with a broken oven for weeks-or pay $1,000 for a new one.