Electric Stove Problems: Common Issues and How to Fix Them

When your electric stove, a household appliance that uses electrical current to generate heat for cooking. Also known as an electric range, it’s one of the most relied-on tools in the kitchen stops working right, it throws off your whole day. Whether it’s not heating at all, taking ages to preheat, or showing strange error codes, these aren’t just annoyances—they’re signs something inside has failed. And the good news? Many of these electric stove problems aren’t as expensive or complicated to fix as you might think.

Most electric stove issues come down to a few key parts: the heating element, the coil or ribbon that glows red-hot to generate heat in the oven or cooktop, the control board, the electronic brain that tells the stove when and how much power to send, or the thermostat, the sensor that checks and maintains the oven’s temperature. A blown heating element is the most common culprit—it’s simple to spot by looking for dark spots, cracks, or broken sections. If the oven doesn’t heat but the stovetop works, it’s almost always the element. If nothing turns on at all, the control board might be the issue. And if the oven heats unevenly or goes way over the set temperature, the thermostat is likely off.

Many people assume these problems mean it’s time to buy a new stove, but that’s not always true. Replacing a heating element costs under $100 in parts and can often be done in under an hour. Control board replacements are pricier, but still cheaper than a new appliance if your stove is under 10 years old. Even error codes like F1 or E2 aren’t always signs of doom—they’re just the stove telling you something’s wrong, not that it’s dead. A quick test with a multimeter can tell you if a part is truly dead or just misbehaving.

What you’ll find below are real, tested fixes for the most common electric stove problems. From how to check your heating element without calling a technician, to understanding why your oven won’t turn on even though the light works, to whether replacing the control board is worth it in 2025. These aren’t guesswork tips—they’re based on actual repairs done in homes across Taunton and beyond. Whether you’re a DIY beginner or just want to know if it’s worth fixing, you’ll find clear answers here—no fluff, no jargon, just what actually works.