How to Fix Kenmore Oven Not Heating

Who built your Kenmore#

Kenmore ovens are made by different companies, and the parts follow the maker. The 790 prefix — the most common — is Frigidaire/Electrolux, so Frigidaire parts and procedures apply; other prefixes like 665 are Whirlpool-made, and 362 is a Roper/Whirlpool economy range. Read the full model number off the serial plate before ordering.

The five causes#

• A weak gas igniter. Kenmore gas ovens use silicon-carbide igniters that fade with age — the igniter still glows, but it draws too little current to open the gas safety valve, so no gas flows.
• A burned-out bake element. On electric Kenmores the lower bake element develops visible breaks or blisters, especially after self-clean cycles running above 900 degrees, and loses continuity.
• Temperature-sensor drift. The NTC thermistor probe at the top rear of the cavity reads wrong, so the control board never calls for heat.
• A blown thermal fuse. Self-clean cycles frequently blow the oven thermal fuse, which cuts power to all the heating circuits even though the display still works.
• A failed control-board relay. The relay contacts that switch power to the elements can fail open after a power surge, especially on electronic-control models.

Testing it#

With the power off, inspect the lower bake element for breaks, blisters, or dark spots — visible damage means it's failed, and a continuity test at the back-wall terminals should read 15 to 50 ohms, with an open circuit confirming failure. To check a gas igniter, watch it through the door: it should glow bright orange within 30 to 60 seconds, and a dim glow or more than 90 seconds means it's weak — a clamp-on ammeter should show it drawing at least 3.2 amps to open the gas valve.

Before the holiday baking season#

An oven that won't heat the week of a holiday meal is the worst surprise, so test the igniter or element now. If you're not comfortable metering gas or high-voltage parts, leave it to a technician. A single failed igniter, element, or sensor on a Kenmore under 8 to 10 years old is well worth repairing — book a visit before the season.