The Most Common Causes
These are the failure modes our technicians see most often on this symptom — listed in rough order of frequency. We don't publish step-by-step repair instructions for liability reasons, but the diagnostic process below identifies which one applies to your machine before any parts get swapped.
🔥 Gas oven won't heat / booms or roars when lighting
A gas oven that won't heat, makes a loud boom or roar when it lights, or smells like gas before it catches has a weak oven igniter (glow bar) — it draws current but no longer gets hot enough to open the safety valve quickly, so gas pools then lights late. An easy, affordable fix: replace the igniter. All gas ranges.
Failed bake element (electric)
Visible cracks or burn marks on the element. The most common electric oven failure. $200–$300 with diagnostic credit.
Failed broiler element (electric)
Top element doesn't glow. Same diagnostic path as the bake element.
Weak igniter (gas)
Igniter glows but doesn't get hot enough to open the gas safety valve. Igniter replacement is one of the most common gas oven repairs. $250–$350.
Failed temperature sensor
Sensor reads wrong temperature. Oven thinks it's already hot and shuts off the heat. Cheap part, common failure.
Failed control board or relay
Less common but real. Board can't engage the heating circuit.
Before You Call — What's Safe to Try
Some of this you can absolutely handle, and we'll tell you straight which parts. Other fixes are doable but carry real risk, and a few you should never touch. This is general guidance, not professional advice — always unplug the appliance (or shut off the gas/water) before you check anything, and if it feels beyond you, that's exactly what the $50 Quick Check is for.
✅ Safe to try yourself
- Check the breaker (electric). An electric oven runs on a 240V breaker — one tripped half can kill the heat. Reset it fully.
- Rule out a mode. Make sure you are not in a timed-bake, delay-start, Sabbath, or self-clean lockout.
- Confirm the gas is on (gas). If the cooktop lights but the oven will not, the issue is the oven side specifically — note that for the tech.
⚠️ Doable — but know the risk
- Bake/broil element (electric only). A visibly burned or blistered element on an electric oven is one of the more DIY-friendly swaps — it plugs in at the back wall — but only with the breaker OFF.
🛑 Call a pro — don't touch this
- ANY gas oven — igniter, safety valve, or gas valve. Gas work is a hard stop.
- 240V wiring
- Control board
The Honest Answer
Yes — every scenario. Element, igniter, and sensor repairs are all $200–$400. Control board replacements run $400–$600. Wall ovens and built-ins are usually worth fixing because replacement is a major install job. Parts availability and labor complexity matter more than the age of the machine. A well-built ten-year-old appliance with an available part is often worth fixing twice. A newer unit with a discontinued board is the harder call. Our techs lay both options out side-by-side — repair cost vs. replacement cost — and let you decide. Try the replacement calculator for a quick framing, but every situation is different.
Where's My Model Number?
A real technician needs your model number to nail the diagnosis and bring the right part. Here's where it hides — snap a photo when you find it.
Need the Part? We'll Find It.
Tell us your model and what's wrong — we identify the exact part, confirm it fits, and ship it to your door or install it. No hunting for part numbers; that's our job.
The 4-Option Technician Decision Report
After your $50 Quick Check (or $100 in-home diagnostic), a real technician — not a chatbot — reviews your model, video, and symptoms. They build a Technician Decision Report with four honest options:
You pick which option works for you. No surprises, no hidden costs. We don't share specific part numbers — we source the parts ourselves and ship them directly to your door, so you never have to hunt for the right SKU.
What Will This Cost?
Pick the likely repair to see our flat labor price next to what most shops charge all-in. The exact part price comes after a quick diagnosis — you'll see the real number.
Real Numbers, No Mystery
Most repairs for this symptom land in the range below. The diagnostic confirms exactly which job it is before any quote — and the diagnostic fee credits toward your repair labor.
People Also Ask
Other Things That Could Be Wrong
Middle TN + Louisiana
Whether you're in Nashville or Hammond, the diagnostic process is the same. We service Middle Tennessee and Louisiana with six experienced technicians.
Outside the cities listed? Chat with Ant — we'll confirm coverage before you pay anything.
Chat with Ant — Get a Real Answer Today
Chat with Ant — tell us what's wrong, share a quick video and your model number photo, and a real technician will build your Technician Decision Report. No hold music, no guessing, no commitment until you see your options.