Call Us
Book a Repair
Because we use them so regularly, we may not really pay attention to the health of our ovens. But we start noticing it very quickly when things go wrong. One question we often get asked is why does my oven turn on by itself? Alternatively, we also get asked why does my oven keep turning off? Undeniably, these problems can result in not only uncooked food but also a danger to your household. To find out what could be causing this issue, take a look below.
Possible causes of an oven switching on and off
Below are some of the most probable causes of your oven switching on and off.
- Blocked ventilation or a failed cooling fan
Most ovens are designed to let hot air circulate within them. But this air also needs to be partially released to prevent smoke and hot air build up. That’s why ovens are created to draw in cool air from the outside and release hot air from the back (in most cases). However, blocked vents due to food and debris build up means that your vents could be blocked and your oven’t safety feature will shut your oven off to prevent any hazards.
Cleaning the vents should be done only once your oven has been completely switched off from any and all sources of power. You can then get to cleaning the vents. It’s also worth checking whether the cooling fan is operational, as this is a related issue that may be causing your oven to switch off on its own.
Discover the reasons behind a non-functional oven fan and learn essential troubleshooting tips in our latest blog post “Why is my oven fan not working?“.
- Faulty thermistor/temperature sensor
The second reason why your oven may be switching off on its own is due to a faulty thermistor or temperature sensor. This is an essential part of any oven and it regulates how much power the oven needs to create certain levels of heat. When the thermistor is broken or has malfunctioned, the temperature won’t be regulated accurately and this means that your oven will shut off because it “thinks” it has reached the right temperature when it has not. This is an element that will probably need to be replaced.
- Damaged heating/cooking elements
Heating elements essentially generate heat in order to cook your food. Your oven may have one or several heating elements, depending on the brand and model. They can get damaged through heavy objects being placed on them, there could be faults in the wiring or something else. Unfortunately, these parts can’t really be fixed. Instead, they will need to be replaced. Ideally, you should speak to a professional engineer about this.
- Problems with the electrical supply
The most common problem related to the circuitry and electrical system includes a broken, loose or faulty wire. Here, it’s highly recommended that you contact a specialist because the wiring in an oven can literally be lengthy and complicated to pinpoint after which it needs to be rectified. It’s also possible that your oven is not getting enough electricity from the electrical current. Simply put, your oven might not be supplied with enough power. As such it will switch off while mid-bake as “signals” are being sent to your oven that there’s not enough power to enable it to work properly.
- Problems with the control board
This problem can arise when there is excessive heat that reaches the control board, resulting in burns or damage. When the control board has been damaged, your oven will likely switch off and not work properly. It’s advisable to check for which components are not working properly and have them replaced. Alternatively, you may wish to replace the entire control board for greater efficiency.
- Problems with the circuit breaker
This is most easily identified when your circuit trips whenever you switch your oven on. The voltage needs to be tested and it’s possible that the breaker may need to be replaced. On the other side of the spectrum, you may have a main power supply that is simply insufficient. This ties in to the problem we identified above related to the electrical supply.
- Problems with the timer and switch
Although this is considered one of the simplest oven-related problems to fix, they still play an important role in setting the desired baking parameters. However, if there are loose connections or they are damaged, the oven won’t be able to run. These problems will trigger the control board and the oven won’t be able to turn on. Luckily, getting replacement parts and having this problem fixed is quite straightforward.
In conclusion
When your oven is switching on and off for no apparent reason, you should know that you will need professional oven servicing to resolve the problem and enable you to cook and bake your meals without fail. The Domex oven repair in London, Brighton & Nottingham offers a service that’s performed by highly trained and qualified engineers. We also offer a 12-month guarantee on fixed faults and/or spare parts fitted. This offers you greater peace of mind and you will once again be able to enjoy the use of your oven as you did without having to worry about endless fixes and repairs.