The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Oven temperature not accurate 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 Temperature Not Accurate
| Cause 1 Bake Element | Cause 2 Igniter | Cause 3 Broil Element |
| When the bake 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 heating element has burned out, it will be visibly damaged. Inspect the heating element for holes or blisters. To determine if the bake element has burned out, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the bake element does not have continuity, replace it. | The igniter draws electrical current through the gas valve to open it. As the igniter weakens over time, it takes longer to open the gas valve. As a result, the oven temperature will drop too low before the burner reignites. The oven temperature should not drop more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit before the igniter relights the burner. | The broil 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. |
| Cause 4 Temperature Control Thermostat | Cause 5 Temperature Sensor | Cause 6 Oven Control Board |
| The temperature control thermostat monitors the temperature inside the oven and cycles on the heat when the oven temperature gets too low. If the temperature control thermostat is not calibrated correctly, it won’t cycle on the heat at the proper time. As a result, the oven temperature might be too high or too low. Due to its complexity, the thermostat is very difficult to test. | The oven sensor works in conjunction with the oven control board to regulate the temperature. The sensor regulates the oven temperature by varying its resistance to electrical current as the oven temperature varies. As the oven temperature rises, the oven sensor creates greater resistance. If the sensor gives the wrong amount of resistance, the oven may not bake evenly. On some models, you can recalibrate the oven control up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit higher or lower. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to recalibrate the oven control. | The oven control board works in conjunction with the oven sensor to regulate the temperature. The sensor regulates the oven temperature by varying its resistance to electrical current as the oven temperature varies. As the oven temperature rises, the oven sensor creates greater resistance. If the sensor gives the wrong amount of resistance, the oven may not bake evenly. Or if the oven control board does not read the sensor resistance correctly, the oven temperature may be inaccurate. On some models, you can recalibrate the oven control up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit higher or lower. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to recalibrate the oven control. |
| Cause 7 Convection Element | Cause 8 Convection Motor |
| In a convection oven, the convection element works with the other heating elements to heat the air circulating inside the oven. If the convection element is burned out, the oven won’t heat evenly. To determine if the convection element is burned out, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the convection element does not have continuity, replace it. | In a convection oven, the convection motor drives the convection fan to circulate the air inside the oven. If the convection fan isn’t circulating the air, the oven won’t bake evenly. Try turning the convection fan blade by hand. If the blade is hard to turn, this may indicate that the motor bearings are worn. If the motor bearings are worn, you will have to replace the convection motor. To determine if the motor is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the motor does not have continuity, replace it. |
