Oven Light Won’t Turn Off: Possible Causes and Solutions

It’s always a confusing experience when your oven light won’t go off. If you are anything like me, you will open the oven door and confirm that you have the door closed multiple times. If that doesn’t work, more confusion ensues. 

The oven is one of the most commonly owned home equipment. According to the Business Research Company, the global market size for the electronics repair and maintenance market will grow from $8.43 billion in 2022 to $8.72 billion in 2023. As for every common electronics issue, we call a professional.

The oven light switches not going off isn’t the most common fault your oven will have. However, it’s the most confusing, especially when the problem isn’t from the door gasket. 

Many things can contribute to why your oven light won’t turn off. Before calling an appliance repair technician, this guide will explain some steps to check and confirm. 

What to do When You have Defective Oven Light

According to appliance repair experts, the most common problem with ovens is heating and ignition problems.

However, if the oven light won’t turn off, some of the things that can cause it include:

Locate the Oven Light Switch

Many oven models have a light switch that syncs with the door. So when the oven door opens, the light comes on and vice versa. 

However, some oven models have a hidden light switch affecting light bulbs. Sometimes, this hidden light switch can be hard to find. 

But usually, it’s always on the control panel of most ovens. However, check your oven model and user manual to determine whether you have a hidden oven and its location. 

Usually, this switch is always off, mainly if your model works with a door switch. However, it could have been put in an incorrect position while cooking. 

Once you locate it, check and put it in the off position. That should solve the issue. 

CAUTION: Disconnect your oven power source before touching any switch. 

Check the Door

The next possible culprit, probably the most popular, is your oven door. If your model works in sync with the door light switch, your oven light won’t turn off if the door remains open. 

No doubt – you’ll close your oven door during and after use. But if you look at it closely, the door is one of the most stressed parts of your oven. 

The door always gets opened and closed before, during, and after cooking. So, it’s normal for any oven door to get bad. 

Many things can go wrong with the door in the process of opening and closing it. It may be minor issues with the door liner or more complex issues like the oven door gasket not functioning. 

Related Read: Can You Put Glass in the Oven? Know the Answers

Regardless, the door is still something you can fix. 

Here’s the process to follow: 

• Check the hinges and hinge retainers. The hinges are the most affected when you open and close them. You may need to change hinges, install hinge retainers, or fix a hinged cover. 

• Check if the door is broken. Some parts of the door may have been damaged, leaving space and stopping the door from closing correctly. 

• Check the top screws and screws holding the door. In some oven designs, you may need to retighten screws to keep the door together. 

• Has the door been replaced? Sometimes, replacing your oven door is the perfect solution.

CAUTION: Check for the model number of your oven to be sure 

Electrical System Faults

The light of your appliance works with the oven’s Electrical system. So when there is any problem in the oven’s electrical system, it can be why the oven light won’t turn off. 

Many things can go wrong with your oven’s electrical system, and you may need to reset it. During this process, you’ll deal with many wires and connections, so taking safety precautions is better. 

Usually, it’s better to leave these issues to an experienced repair technician to avoid accidents or mistakes. According to multiple reports, ovens can cause fires that can cause havoc. The most recent fire occurred due to an industrial oven on Jan 7, 2023, in Omaha, and it caused havoc worth $50,000. 

Some electrical issues can be minor and only require a little reset to return to normal. All you need to do is turn off the oven from its power source and wait a while before restoring power. 

Control Board Issues

The control board of an oven controls all the action going down in the range. It all happens from the control panel, from the heating to broiling and other things. 

After continuous work, the control panel can develop issues, affecting the light switch and other functional parts of the oven. 

Many things can go wrong with the control board, including: 

• The circuit breaker may have issues
• The wiring may have a considerable mix-up
• All the screws are off position. 
• The oven light button may be stuck or wrong.

Like the electrical system, it’s better to call an appliance repair expert to take on this task. You can also use the turnoff and on technique to see if it is a minor fault. 

TIPS: If it’s hard to fix your oven’s control panel, your oven may need replacing. It’s a better way to secure safety and peace of mind. 

Thermostat Issues

The thermostat of ovens has no business with the light turning off or on. Instead, the thermostat controls the heat and temperature of the device. 

While it has no business with the light, the thermostat may affect it, causing it to stay on. 

When the thermostat misbehaves, the heat level may remain at one point. If your oven light turns on while at work, it won’t go off due to the heat sending signals to the wall of the oven. 

Most times, you’ll have to replace the thermostat in such cases. You can fix it, but replacing is your best option. 

Broil and Bake Elements

You can use your oven for broiling or baking. These elements are usually at the top wall in any oven model. 

Like the thermostat, if these elements misbehave, it’ll send signals that the oven is still in use. 

In turn, the oven light won’t go off. Fixing or having it replaced is the best solution. 

CAUTION: Do not try to pull out either the thermostat or the elements. First, check your user manual to be sure it’s in the correct position with clips locked before repair. 

Timer

Most ovens have a timer to help determine how many minutes it’s working. This timer is helpful because it ensures you don’t burn your meal – and your home. 

Most times, professional cooks and chefs are the ones that use the timer. A regular homeowner will likely wait and watch their meal cook. 

However, you can make mistakes when dealing with the pans of the oven to activate the timer. That means your oven will be working to the time, and the oven light won’t go off until the time passes. 

Also Read: What Effect Does Oven Cleaner Have on Kitchen Counters?

Electrical Supply Problems

Electricity seldom trips off, but when it does, it can cause damage. These damages can be fires in the worst-case scenario. 

If your oven light turns on and remains so after an electrical supply issue, you need to turn it off. You can also remove pans and other detachable parts before fixing the oven. 

TIPS: Sometimes, turning the oven off for a while can always work after any electrical problem. 

Final Words: Always Call An Expert for Repair

It can be frustrating when your oven light won’t turn off. The first step anyone can take is to open and close the oven door and maybe check the door light switch. But that shouldn’t be the only step you’ll take. 

You can also turn the oven off to reset and put it on afterward. Another option is to hire an expert to help troubleshoot and fix the problem. 

Experts spend years working on ovens, so they understand the different models and how each works. They also find it easy to make a calculated guess of what can be wrong and make a permanent fix. 

You should also call an expert for routine oven maintenance and other appliances. This will preserve the lifespan and prevent any damage.