Bosch Oven Not Heating? Here’s Why

If your Bosch oven is out of action because it’s failing to heat properly, this guide will help you troubleshoot the problem. Whether your Bosch oven is not reaching a hot enough temperature or failing to produce any heat at all, the result is the same: an inability to prepare properly cooked meals for yourself and your loved ones.

Here are the most likely reasons your Bosch oven is not heating:

1. Heating element issue

The most likely cause of a Bosch electric oven not heating is a faulty heating element, the primary heat-producing component. However, Bosch ovens typically have two to three heating elements, so you’ll want to do a little investigative work to see which of them is causing the problem.

These are the three types of heating elements commonly found:

1. Bake: This heating element is hidden under the bottom panel inside the oven cavity.
2. Grill/Broil: This heating element is visible and located at the top of the oven cavity.
3. Convection Bake: If your Bosch is a convection model, it will have a third element located near the fan, hidden behind the back panel inside the oven cavity.

If your oven is turning on and heating when you set it to grill or broil mode, and you can see the top element inside glowing red, then you know this heating element is working fine.

However, since the other heating elements are hidden, you will need to test them by running the oven in bake mode for a few minutes, and then carefully seeing whether you can feel any heat coming from the bottom of the oven cavity. Do not touch the surface directly!

Then, do the same with the oven in convection bake mode, and see if you can feel any heat emanating from the back and bottom panels of the oven cavity.

If you suspect one or more of the heating elements is not working, it’s advised that you call in an expert to perform the repair safely, rather than attempt to repair it yourself.

2. Problem with gas igniter

If your Bosch oven is a gas model, one of the most common reasons they fail to heat is an issue with the gas igniter. There are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to identify whether this is the problem:

• Locate the igniters with the help of your user manual. They’re usually located at the bottom and top of the oven cavity.
• Inspect them for visible signs of damage, such as cracks or grease build-up. Use a soft cloth or brush to gently clean them if dirty.
• Attempt to ignite them and listen for a clicking sound before ignition.
• If they ignite, do they produce a strong or weak flame, and do the igniters glow red-hot?
• Check the gas supply valve is fully open.

If, after running these checks, you suspect a damaged or faulty gas igniter may be the problem, it’s strongly advised to hire a certified gas expert to carry out the repair to ensure it’s done safely.

3. The door isn’t closing fully 

The next most common issue that can lead to improper heating is a door that is not shutting properly. If this is the cause of the problem, your oven will still heat partially, but it won’t reach a high enough temperature since the hot air will continuously escape.

You may be able to see a slight gap around the edge of the door, the door may spring back slightly when you attempt to shut it, or you may feel hot air escaping from the oven while it’s running. These are the most common signs.

If you suspect the door isn’t closing fully, and you can’t see any obvious reasons why, one of the following components is either damaged, dirty, obstructed, or misaligned:

• Door latch
• Gasket
• Door hinges
• The door itself is warped

4. Inadequate power supply

A common but often overlooked cause of a Bosch oven not heating is a problem with the power supply. Your oven will likely need to be plugged into a 220-240 volts power outlet, not a standard wall outlet, to receive enough power to function properly.

When you’re sure it’s plugged into a suitable outlet, it’s worth checking that the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Ovens typically have their own dedicated switch on the circuit breaker, meaning they can trip without affecting the rest of the home.

5. Faulty temperature sensor

The temperature sensor is responsible for monitoring the temperature inside the oven and cycling the heat on and off to ensure the right level of heat is maintained.

However, if the sensor becomes faulty, it can cause the oven to heat incorrectly or stop heat production altogether. The temperature sensor looks like a slim metal rod that protrudes from the back panel of the oven cavity.

With the help of your user manual, you should be able to locate it fairly easily. To check whether it is working and replace it if necessary, follow these steps:

1. Look for an error code on your Bosch oven’s display and check your user manual to see if it suggests a temperature sensor issue.
2. Unplug the power to your Bosch oven for safety.
3. Locate the temperature sensor and remove the mounting screws securing it to the back panel in the oven’s cavity.
4. Pull out the temperature sensor and disconnect the wire harness to remove it completely.
5. Set a multimeter to ohms and place its probes on the terminals of the temperature sensor. At room temperature, the reading should be between 1000-1100 ohms but should increase when you apply heat.
6. Apply heat using a hair dryer or heat gun to see if the reading increases.
7. If the temperature sensor is showing a reading significantly outside of the range or not increasing when heat is applied, it will need replacing.
8. Purchase a new compatible temperature sensor, and fit it when it arrives by connecting the wire harness and fastening it in place using the old mounting screws.