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Whirlpool oven won't light
Common reasons your Whirlpool oven won't light
The most common reasons your Whirlpool oven won't light are a defective electronic control board, defective control panel or a cracked igniter.
67% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
14% of the time it's the Control Panel
9% of the time it's the Igniter
10% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool oven
Electronic Control Board Replacement
An inoperative electronic control board can lead to various failures in an oven, including a lack of power or heating in the oven, or prevent the oven from turning off. This is because the board serves as the brain of the oven, controlling crucial operations such as regulating oven temperatures, running cooling fans, controlling cooking time and controlling the self-clean cycle of the oven. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components. A failing board may prevent the oven door latch from engaging, or may cause a chattering or clicking noise from the oven or emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Control Panel Replacement
A defective oven control panel can produce various symptoms affecting the appliance's performance. The control panel may be unresponsive, failing to register inputs or adjust oven mode and temperature settings. The display might show erratic readings or become entirely blank. Additionally, a malfunctioning control panel could lead to issues with the ovens heating, resulting in uneven cooking, failure to reach the desired temperature or the inability to heat at all.
Igniter Replacement
When an oven igniter is faulty, it can prevent a burner from igniting, resulting in no heat from the bake or broil burners in the oven. A failed igniter could also cause difficulty in lighting the burner, requiring multiple attempts to achieve ignition. The igniter may emit a clicking sound without successfully lighting the gas, indicating a malfunction. In some cases, the igniter may not produce any visible spark at all. An igniter failure can lead to delayed ignition, causing a noticeable delay between turning the knob and the burner lighting.
Why will my Whirlpool oven not ignite?
Whirlpool ovens and ranges use 2 types of ignition systems. Some models use a direct spark ignition (DSI) system while others use a glow bar igniter that is commonly used across the entire range and oven manufacturing industry.
DSI System Oven Lighting Troubleshooting
When your Whirlpool ranges uses a DSI oven ignition system, a spark ignites the oven burn flame when a control board detects that burner igniter is working properly and the DSI control board opens the gas valve for the burner.
A wiring failure that prevents the spark ignition system from producing a proper spark is a common problem that derails this type of oven lighting system.
The DSI system is complicated and difficult to diagnose. When the ignition system in your Whirlpool range or oven is a DSI system and the oven won’t light, schedule oven repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair the appliance.
Glow Bar Ignition System Troubleshooting
When your Whirlpool oven uses a glow bar igniter to light the oven burner, the ignition system is easier for appliance DIY repair enthusiasts to understand and fix.
This popular YouTube video shows how to diagnose and repair a glow bar oven ignition system failure:
A failed glow bar igniter is the #1 cause of a burner ignition failure in this type of range or oven.
Follow the steps in the video to determine the cause of the failure.
If you’re unable to find and fix the cause of the oven ignition failure using the troubleshooting steps in the video, schedule oven repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the range or oven.
What to expect when you experience a Whirlpool oven won't light issue
How is the won't light problem fixed?
Correcting most won't light problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, control panel or igniter. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to a successful Whirlpool oven repair. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for an oven that won't light
When the oven won't light it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of oven failures.
What to look out for with an oven won't light diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your oven problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Oven Resources
Look out for these common oven problems and act quickly when you see these issues happening.
When your oven malfunctions, the decision to repair or replace it can be a tough call.
Identifying the root cause becomes paramount when your oven starts acting up.
A malfunctioning oven can disrupt meal preparations, necessitating swift action.
Glossary Terms
A thermocouple is a sensor used for measuring temperature, consisting of two different metal wires joined at one end, which generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes.
An oven bag is a heat-resistant, nylon or polyester bag designed for cooking a wide variety of foods in the oven, ensuring moist and flavorful meals by trapping moisture and flavor inside.
An oven rack is a removable shelving unit inside an oven that holds cookware, allowing air to circulate around the food for even cooking and baking.
A dishwasher gasket is a flexible seal that prevents water from leaking out of the dishwasher door during operation. It's crucial for maintaining the appliance's efficiency and preventing water damage.