The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Oven broiler not working are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.
Most Frequent Causes for Oven Broiler Not Working
| Cause 1 Broil Element | Cause 2 Igniter | Cause 3 Bake or Broil Spark Electrode |
| The broiler element may have burned out. When the broil element is heating properly, it glows red hot. If the element does not glow red, this indicates that the element is not heating. Often, if the element has burned out, it will be visibly damaged. Inspect the broil element for holes or blisters. To determine if the broil element has burned out, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the broil element does not have continuity, replace it. | The igniter glows to ignite the gas in the burner assembly. To determine if the igniter is defective, observe the igniter as the oven is heating. If the igniter glows for more than 90 seconds without igniting the gas flame, this indicates that the igniter is too weak to ignite the gas. If the igniter is weak, replace it. | For broil burner ignition an oven broiler burner spark electrode is used to ignite the gas. The electrode is a device that sits right next to the broil burner. It functions like a spark plug. As power is applied to it a spark jumps from the spark electrode tip to the to the electrode shield, igniting the gas. If the electrode is broken or worn out the spark may not occur. Visually inspect the electrode assembly for cracks in the porcelain housing or damage to the electrode tip itself. Be aware that a proper ground and the correct polarity of the incoming voltage to the range is necessary for the electrode control to sense the presence of a flame once the burner is ignited. If the burner goes off after ignition check for proper ground and the correct polarity at the wall outlet. |
| Cause 4 Temperature Control Thermostat | Cause 5 Loose or Burnt Wire Connection | Cause 6 Relay Board |
| The temperature control thermostat regulates the broiler temperature. If the thermostat is defective, it may fail to heat the broiler element. The oven thermostat is not repairable—if the thermostat is defective, you must replace it. | One of the wires that supply power to the broil element or broil burner igniter might be burned out. These wires commonly burn out near the heating element. To determine if a wire has burned out, inspect the wires leading to the element or igniter. If a wire is burned out, it will often be visibly burnt. | Some ovens are equipped with a relay board. The relay board has several relays which control the voltage to the broiler heating circuit. If one or more of the relays on the relay board fails, the broil element won’t work. However, this rarely occurs. Before replacing the relay board, first check all of the heating components in the oven. If none of the heating components are defective, the relay board might be at fault. If the relay board is defective, replace it. |
| Cause 7 Oven Control Board | Cause 8 Safety Valve | Cause 9 Valve and Pressure Regulator |
| The oven control board has relays that send voltage to the bake and broil circuits according to the user settings and sensor input. If the control board is defective, it may not send voltage to the broil element. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the control board, first test all of the heating components. Since it’s not easy to test the oven control board, you will have to replace it if you suspect it’s defective. | The safety valve works with the oven igniter to provide gas to the burner. If the safety valve fails, the oven won’t heat. It is very uncommon for a safety valve to fail. Before replacing the safety valve, first test all of the more commonly defective oven components, particularly the igniter. If all of the other heating components are working properly, use a multimeter to test the safety valve for continuity. If the safety valve does not have continuity, replace it. | The valve and pressure regulator is frequently misdiagnosed. Before replacing the valve and pressure regulator, first test all of the more commonly defective components. |
