How to Fix 4 Common Oven Door Issues

Oven doors should close and open smoothly and firmly. When they jiggle or get stuck, or won't stay in place, you might have to do some tinkering to get things right again. Here are four of the most common causes of oven door failure and some solutions you can try before resorting to professional assistance.

1. Worn out Spring Hinges

The most common cause of oven door problems is the wearing out of spring load hinges. If the spring gets broken or worn out, chances are that your oven door will either close partially or get stuck. The oven door springs are often attached to several holes on the door or oven frame and can easily be removed/replaced.

Here are the steps you can take to determine whether your springs are the cause of your troubles and replace them where necessary.

Step 1 - Find the Hinges

Open your oven door halfway and hold on to the sides. This should give you room to pull the door upwards—off the hinges.

Step 2 - Find the Springs

Now locate the oven springs to determine whether they're functional. In most ovens, the springs are either attached to the frame or inside the oven door. In case your springs are inside the oven door, unscrew the inner door panel and remove it to expose the springs. If your springs are located on the frame, you will have to open the storage drawer at the bottom of your oven.

Step 3 - Check for Wear

Once the springs are exposed, inspect them by observing the holes they are attached to and the entire body of the spring. If your springs are worn out, chances are that they are the likely cause of your oven door problems. If any of the springs is unhooked at either end, you can simply solve the problem by reattaching the unhooked end.

Step 4 - Remove the Old Springs

If the springs are worn out, you'll want to remove and replace them with new ones. To remove the springs, first mark the holes where they're hooked on either end.

Wear protective gear such as googles before removing the springs since they may bounce off, and note the position of each spring on a paper before removing it. Use pliers to unhook the spring on one end and remove it easily on the remaining end.

Step 5 - Replace the Springs

After removing the old springs, you'll probably have to replace them with new ones. Place your new springs in position while wearing your protective gear.

For frame attached springs, you should see a metal strip with holes where the original hinge springs were located. Attach your new springs on the holes on the frame on either side. Ensure that both springs are attached at the same position on either side. For instance, if you choose to attach your spring on the third hole on the left side, the same should be done for the right side.

Step 6 - Replace the Door

Now place your door back to the hinges while at the half-open position and push it into the hinges to reattach your door. It should be good to go!

2. Broken Latch

The latch is supposed to connect to a hole inside the oven, but it might get stuck if it is not well greased or if it gets out of position.

Dealing with the latch problem should be easy if it only needs greasing. In such a case, just add a few drops of oil at the point of contact to the hole and try closing your door again. However, in case the latch is broken or malfunctioning, you might have to replace it.

Step 1 - Prep

Unplug your oven from power and get on your protective gear, including gloves and goggles.

Step 2 - Remove Access Panel

Remove the rear access panel on the top. You will have to unscrew the panel and gently pull it out of the groove.

Step 3 - Find the Latch

Locate the latch motor assembly at the left side of your oven's interior.

Step 4 - Separate the Wires

Pull off the wire harness for the brown, white and dark wires. You should also detach two blue wires from the motor switch assembly.

Step 5 - Remove the Latch

Loosen the bracket that holds the latch unit to the oven frame and remove the entire latch unit. If the latch is still in proper shape and can be fixed manually, try fixing it and place it back. If it's completely broken, buy a new one and replace it.

3. Door Doesn't Fit

Stove doors can expand due to heating, making them too big for their own oven. If the door expands by some millimeters, the latch may be pushed out of position. This may mean that the door hole where the latch is supposed to connect is out of position.

This problem can often easily be fixed by tightening the screws around the frame such that the door stays put.

4. Rusty Hinges

Especially if you don't use your oven for some time, the hinges may rust and cause opening and closing problems. If your hinges are showing signs of rust, chances are that the springs are also rusting. Since we have already looked at troubleshooting hinge springs, you shouldn't have a problem in that area.

However, the problem might only be on the surface. Before you get deeper to check the springs, try greasing your door hinges or tightening the hinges into the frame. You may also remove the hinges and clean them to reduce friction. If this doesn't work, proceed to look at the hinge springs.

Fix Common Oven Door Issues FAQ

How do I fix my oven door hinges?

If your oven door hinges are broken or caked with grime, replace them instead of trying to fix them.

Before doing any repairs to the oven, allow it to cool for at least two hours if it has been in use. Locate the tabs on either side of the oven door.

The tabs are the hinge latches. You will need to use a screwdriver to unlock these tabs.

Pull the door open until it hits the broil stop, which is about 25 percent open. Work slowly to pull the oven door up and out and off the oven.

Set the oven door aside on soft towels. Unscrew the inner door panel.

You will find more screws underneath this panel, holding the hinges in place. Unscrew these and pull the hinges away.

Replace the hinge with a new one in the exact same position and screw them into place. Screw the door panel back into place.

Fit the door back into place on the hinge locks.

Can an oven door be fixed?

Many different parts of the oven door can be fixed if it is not working properly.

You can always replace the hinges of the door, which can fix the problem if the door is not shutting all the way.

The gasket lining the inside of the oven door can also be replaced. If this has become worn out, you won't get a proper seal when the door is closed.

Check the springs in the door, too. If the springs are worn out of broken, replace them with identical springs.

Can I use the stove if the oven door is broken?

As long as the oven door is not going to fall open and hit you while you're cooking, you should still be able to use the stove even if the oven door is broken. If the oven door might fall open and distract you or cause you injury while you're cooking, it is unsafe to attempt to cook because you do not want to be startled while you're hanging boiling water and hot food.

How do I get my oven door to close all the way?

If your oven door isn't closing properly, check for any obstructions around the edges of the door that may be blocking it. Look around the springs of the oven to check for debris and obstructions, too.

Make sure the oven racks are pushed back and not sticking out, as this can impede the door and prevent it from closing.

If you can't find something preventing the door from closing, you may need to perform a repair such as replacing the hinges.

How do I know if my oven door seal needs replacing?

You can visually examine the gasket around the edge of the door to see if it needs to be replaced. If it is torn, frayed, or cracked, it needs to be replaced.

You can also touch the gasket in several places to test its springiness. If it feels very hard, it should be replaced.