When your high-end range burners work but the oven doesn’t you only get half the benefit of its superior cooking power. Why won’t my Viking oven work but burners do? In gas models, a faulty igniter may be unable to light the gas. Determine why your Viking oven won’t turn on but burners work with these troubleshooting tips.
What Do I Do When My Viking Oven Won’t Turn On but Burners Work?
Image Source: VikingWhile most Viking part failures require a professional repair, sometimes a DIY fix can solve the problem. To streamline your troubleshooting, use these common causes to pinpoint why your Viking oven won’t turn on but burners work just fine.
Check Oven Controls
Before assuming a malfunction, sometimes changing some basic functions can fix a Viking oven that won’t turn on.
First, check these oven control functions:
- Oven isn’t set correctly: After turning on a Viking oven, the temperature and function must be set via the temperature and function selector knobs. The oven won’t start until both a temperature and function are selected.
- Door locked during self-clean setting: The oven door and cooking functions will remain locked after a self-cleaning to allow the oven to cool to a safe temperature. Once cooled, the oven door automatically unlocks, the door lock indicator light shuts off and the oven is ready for use. Was the self-clean function accidentally selected? Turn both the temperature and function selector knobs to “off,” to cancel the cycle.
- Knobs incorrectly replaced after cleaning: If you recently removed the range knobs for cleaning, the oven won’t turn on if they’re replaced incorrectly. Refer to your user manual to make sure the knobs are put back on the right knob shaft.
Faulty Viking Oven Igniter
For gas-powered models, a faulty igniter is the most common reason Viking burners work but oven won’t turn on. An igniter uses an electrical charge to open the oven’s gas valve, allowing gas to flow from your home supply. It must then generate an electrical spark to light the gas as it flows. If the igniter can’t perform one or both of these tasks, the oven won’t start.
While a broken stove igniter often makes a range clicking sound, a faulty oven igniter may show visible signs of failure. When it doesn’t generate a spark or the gas takes longer than 30 seconds to ignite, the igniter is likely faulty. If multimeter testing confirms this with a lack of continuity, it must be replaced.
Broken Heating Element
In electric ovens, a broken heating element is often responsible when your Viking oven won’t turn on but burners work. The heating element at the top and bottom of the oven provides heat for baking, roasting and broiling. When functioning properly, both elements should emit an even heat and steady, red glow.
Here’s how to tell if a Viking oven heating element is broken:
- Oven not baking evenly: At the end of the set cooking time food may be underdone on the top or bottom, depending on which element is broken.
- Visible damage: Breaks, blisters or cracks are common signs of damage.
- Interrupted red glow: The element may have dark patches or not glow at all.
If any of these signs are present and the heating element fails multimeter testing with a lack of continuity, it requires replacement.
Oven Thermostat Has Failed
Oven thermostats monitor heat fluctuations during cooking, signaling the igniter for more heat when needed. If the thermostat fails, the igniter won’t know when more heat is required and the oven may not turn on. In some cases, it may start but never reach its set temperature.
If you find your Viking oven not working but burners light, check the thermostat for continuity with a multimeter. If no continuity is present, it should be replaced.
The experts at Sloan Appliance can solve the problem when your Viking oven won’t turn on but burners work fine. Schedule your expert Viking oven repair with us today!
