Self-cleaning ovens are a great feature to have in your home. They offer many benefits, such as easier cleaning and a reduced risk of fire. However, there can be some risks associated with using the self-cleaning function. If your oven is not heating after the self-cleaning cycle, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
When Should I Use the Self-Cleaning Function?
If you use your oven for general cooking, run the self-cleaning cycle once a year. If you use your oven to bake frequently, you may need to use self-cleaning once every four months.
Make sure you run the self-cleaning cycle at least 1 month before any large cooking events, such as the holidays. The self-cleaning cycle on your oven may cause component failure, so use it sparingly and with caution. Don’t ever run the self-clean feature right before a major cooking event!
Why Won’t My Oven Door Unlock after Self Cleaning?
The self-clean cycle usually takes two to four hours, depending on your oven model. Some ovens will automatically lock the door during the cleaning cycle and unlock once the oven has cooled off.
If you have an automatically-locking door, you may need to wait as long as 1 hour after the self-cleaning cycle for the oven to completely cool down. If your oven door doesn’t unlock after an hour, it may be due to another issue.
How to troubleshoot an oven door that won’t unlock after the self-cleaning cycle:
- Allow the Oven to Cool: Most ovens won’t unlatch for 30-90 minutes after the self-clean cycle as a safety measure. This allows the oven temperature to cool down completely.
- Verify the Knob Isn’t Set to CLEAN: If your oven has a knob, make sure that the knob is not set to CLEAN. If it is, move the knob to the off position and try to open the door.
- Verify the Latch Release Was Activated: Slide the latch to the left. Older ranges have a latch release button that must be pushed to unlock the oven door after self-cleaning.
- Reset the Oven: You may be able to disengage the lock by resetting the oven. Disconnect the power from the range for 30 seconds. Reconnect the power and see if the door will unlatch. and then back on.
- Cycle the Self-Clean Feature: Start another short self-cleaning cycle. Allow the oven to cool for 30-minutes and try to open the door again.
If your oven still doesn’t unlock, there may be a problem with one of the oven’s major components.
Why is My Oven Not Heating After Self-Cleaning?
During a self-cleaning cycle, the oven gets extremely hot to turn any residue or messes into ash. Ovens heat to around 800 degrees for three hours during a self-cleaning process. It’s not uncommon for an oven to not heat after self-cleaning due to the extremely high heat. The high heat may cause component failure, which is why we advise to never run the self-clean cycle right before a major holiday or event.
Here are some of the most common oven parts that fail during the self-clean cycle include:
Control Board Damaged
The control board may be damaged if your oven still doesn’t heat. Like the wiring, the control board is made to withstand the heat the oven produces. However, if the heat is excessive and frequent, it could damage the control board. If you suspect that the control board has failed, contact an appliance repair technician for assistance.
Door Latch is Bent
If the door latch gets bent during the self-cleaning cycle, it may prevent to oven door from opening. If the latch is bent or damaged, you may be able to adjust it into place. However, if it’s too bent or damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Switch or Motor Has Failed
High temperatures of the self-clean cycle may short the door switch or motor. These parts can be checked for continuity to confirm failure.
Damaged Wiring
Damaged wiring can cause your oven to not heat after self-cleaning. Wires can be melted and damaged if the self-clean cycle gets too hot.
The wiring on an oven is located behind a back panel and it is important for connecting essential parts to the oven’s control board. The wiring is insulated to withstand heat from the oven, over time it can wear down and become damaged, especially if you use the self-cleaning feature often. Damaged wiring will need to be professionally repaired or replaced.
Tripped Thermal Fuse
Another possibility is a tripped thermal fuse. This safety feature protects your oven from overheating. The thermal fuse will trip if the oven gets too hot, cutting off electricity to prevent a possible fire. If it’s tripped, it will stop electricity from reaching the heating element, therefore causing your oven to not heat.
You can tell if the thermal fuse has been tripped if the oven display is still working but the heating element doesn’t. It is usually only good for one use, so if it’s been tripped it will need to be replaced. Depending on the model of your oven, you may be able to reset the thermal fuse. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for specific instructions regarding the thermal fuse.
If you’re still having problems with your oven not heating after self-cleaning, call Dependable Appliance Repair. Our experts will diagnose the problem and provide you with a solution quickly and efficiently so that you can get back to cooking!
