Double ovens are a dream for many homeowners. However, more appliances mean more chances for malfunctions and issues. You might encounter problems with one or both of your ovens. So, what can you do?

The most common causes for bottom oven issues include problems with the power supply, heating element, or thermostat. You can troubleshoot the oven by ensuring it’s plugged in, checking the settings, and inspecting the fan, but most issues will require a trained service technician.

Don’t panic if your bottom oven isn’t working. These issues are easy to identify and resolve, so let’s take a look at some of the reasons you may have this problem to get you back to cooking!

Why Your Bottom Oven Isn’t Working

As the saying goes, two ovens are better than one. Unfortunately, the downside of two ovens is that more parts can break down and malfunction. In some cases, only one oven will fail—this isn’t a disaster, but it’s still frustrating.

Some of the common causes why a bottom oven fails to include the following:

• Issues with the power supply.
• Faulty electric oven element.
• Worn-out thermostat.
• Installation issues.

These are the common reasons a bottom or top oven isn’t working correctly. You may need a qualified service technician to diagnose and resolve electrical issues.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your bottom oven isn’t working, as usual, you may have electrical installation problems or faults with the oven elements.

Of course, each situation will differ, but here are some general troubleshooting tips to resolve the issue.

Ensure the Oven is Plugged In

Although it seems obvious, ensure the appliance is plugged in securely and switched to the on position.

If it’s plugged in correctly and you still encounter problems, move on to the following troubleshooting steps below.

For Recently Installed Appliances

If you have a newly installed double-oven set-up, and one is working and the other isn’t, you may have issues with the electrical installation.

A professional electrician should complete electrical connections, so you’ll need to contact your installation contractor for assistance.

For Older Ovens

There could be several reasons your oven isn’t working if it’s an older appliance. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Issues with the Element: To see if you have element issues, try different settings like grill, broil, or standard. Some settings might work, while others will cause problems.

• Problems with the Fan: Set the oven to the fan setting and look through the door to see if the fan is functioning. If the fan isn’t turning on, you may need a repair or replacement part.

• Faults with the Internal Wiring: You can’t necessarily check the internal wiring. You may need to contact an authorized service technician for additional assistance. I wrote another article on oven igniters not working, which can also be caused by faulty wiring.

• Errors with the Program Control Board: This is another complex problem to assess without a professional service technician.

You may need to consult a certified technician for assistance, especially if you think you have issues with the internal wiring or control board.

And, since we’re talking about the things that can go wrong with your oven, we’ll go ahead and mention that the light may go out from time to time, and that’s not a big problem. You can check out our article on oven lights for how to address that.

Why Your Oven Isn’t Heating Evenly and How to Fix It

Sometimes, your bottom oven can work correctly but won’t heat evenly. Uneven heating can be frustrating, as your recipes won’t come out correctly and can pose a health risk depending on the ingredients.

Although various reasons cause uneven heating, they’re typically easy to identify and resolve. Here’s how.

Your Oven Isn’t Calibrated Correctly

You might have calibration issues if your recipes have burned edges but are raw in the middle.

Over time, an oven develops wear and tear from constant heating and cooling. As a result, the stress builds up and affects the appliance’s temperature accuracy.

You can test your oven’s calibration with an oven thermometer. Simply preheat the appliance and take several temperature readings over a few hours. You’ll notice varying temperature readings in different ranges if it’s not calibrated.

Oven calibration issues require expert services which can reset your oven’s internal programming to work as expected.

The Racks Need Adjustment

In some cases, you may need to move the racks for more even heating. You may need to lower the shelf if your recipe is black on top but raw on the bottom. Play around with your placement until you figure out what works for your oven.

You Have a Faulty Temperature Sensor

Faulty temperature sensors can cause uneven heating in an oven. For example, although you might set your oven to 350 degrees, errors with the sensor can cause it to heat above or below this range.

In these cases, you’ll need a professional service tech to replace the sensor.

The Electric Elements Are Damaged

Ovens have two elements, including the bake and broil elements. If either one of these is broken, your device isn’t going to heat evenly.

These issues will also call for professional services for replacement or repair.

The Fan Isn’t Working or Damaged

In fan oven configurations, the fan distributes heat evenly and ensures your food cooks evenly. If there are issues with the fan, you may notice loud or no sounds.

You may also need to consult a professional to repair or replace the damaged components.

other articles on ovens you might find useful

Oven Door Hinge Stuck? Easy Fix

Why Your Oven Light Won’t Turn On

Oven Display Not Working? Here’s How To Troubleshoot And Fix It Fast