Why does my oven turn off when I release the button? 4 reasons

You are about to prepare a delicious oven-cooked meal, but it turns off as soon as you release the control button? In this article we will explain to you the 4 most common causes for which this may occur, as well as the steps you can take to fix it. You will find useful and practical solutions to deal with this problem, whether it is a gas oven or an electric oven.

Oven that goes out when you release the button: 4 main reasons

1. The thermocouple is damaged

On a gas oven, a thermocouple is a probe installed inside the furnace. It is an important component of an oven that serves to measure temperature and prevent gas leaks. It therefore serves as a safety device if it detects an anomaly. Whether the thermocouple is damaged or defective, it may cause the oven to stop when you release the button.

2. The control knob is faulty

A faulty control knob can also be the cause of the oven shutting down when you release the button. If one of the connectors on the button is disconnected or damaged, this may cut off the supply voltage and therefore prevent the oven from remaining on.

3. The safety thermostat is faulty

Si the safety thermostat of your electric oven is faulty, it may cause the oven to switch off automatically when you release the button. In fact, if the safety thermostat has tripped or is faulty, it is programmed to prevent the oven from heating.

4. Electrical problems

Personalized electrical problems can also be the cause of the oven stopping. If the electrical wiring is damaged, it can cause power cuts to the oven and prevent it from staying on.

Read also: Solving the 12 Most Common Oven Problems

My oven stops by itself: how to solve the problem?

Si your oven switches off when you no longer press the button, here are the main solutions Possible ways to solve the problem:

Note: if your oven still has the right to guarantee, immediately call the after-sales service of the reseller store or the assistance of the manufacturer to obtain a repair or replacement of the device free of charge. In any case, if you are not a qualified handyman, we strongly recommend that you contact a professional repairer to carry out the following operations in complete safety. 

Check the oven thermocouple

This step is only for gas ovens.

Checking the thermocouple on an oven that shuts off when you release the button
Thermocouple of an oven

Most of the time, when the gas oven turns off after releasing the button, the problem is with the thermocouple. In fact, a thermocouple faulty, dirty or poorly calibrated can cause this type of problem. In order to remedy this situation, here are some steps to follow:

First of all, check the position of the thermocouple compared to the flame. In fact, the head of the thermocouple must be in the flame when the oven is lit to ensure that it operates correctly. It is important to note that if the burner flame is yellow rather than blue, it may be a sign that the thermocouple needs to be replaced. A yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion.

Then, it should be ensured that the thermocouple is not clogged. If this is the case, it is recommended to clean it using very fine steel wool or 250 grit paper. Caution, never use flammable chemicals or solvents to avoid any risk to your safety . Similarly, before any cleaning operation, remember to disconnect the appliance from the power supply.

If cleaning does not solve the problem or you find that the thermocouple is defective, we recommend that you call a professional to test it electrically and make sure of the breakdown, and replace it with a compatible and qualitative spare part.

Important: Care should be taken before handling the oven and electrical components to avoid electrical hazards or burns. We recommend that you wear antistatic gloves and always turn off the power before working on any part of the oven. 

Check control button

Le control button or "switch" may also be the cause of a malfunction in your oven. Indeed, if it is dirty or defective, this can create a bad contact and turn off the oven the moment you release the button.

To fix it, you will first have to try to nettoyer. Start by unplugging the oven from the electrical outlet, then remove the metal panel located above the oven and disconnect the connector linking the control knob to the electronic board. Then use an electronic contact cleaner spray and a soft cloth to effectively clean its connectors.

In some cases, this part will need to be replaced to get the oven working properly again.

At this stage, if the self-extinguishing oven is a gas oven, we advise you to consult this article which may provide you with other possible leads on the failure you are encountering: why does my gas oven go out by itself? If your oven is electric, continue the investigation below.

Check the safety thermostat

The safety thermostat, also known as the "klixon", is an essential component of ovens that ensures their protection. Its role is to cut off the power supply to the oven in the event of overheating or malfunction in order to avoid any risk of fire or damage. When the safety thermostat is triggered, the oven switches off automatically, which prevents any use.

check the oven thermostat which stops by itself after releasing the button
Oven safety thermostat

If this happens, it is necessary to reset the thermostat to deactivate the oven safety. If this attempt fails, it is possible to check its operation by carrying out a electrical test using a multimeter.

Here is the steps to reset and check the safety thermostat of most ovens :

  1. Turn off and unplug the oven.
  2. Remove the back or top of the oven to access the klixon
  3. Press the small red button on the klixon to rearm it. Note: safety thermostats are not always resettable.
  4. If your oven continues to turn itself off, check its electrical resistance. To do this, disconnect it from the circuit so as not to distort the measurement, set the multimeter to ohmmeter and put its test tips on the terminals of the klixon.
  5. If the continuity is on, the safety thermostat is working. Otherwise it must be replaced.

Check the electric wires of the oven which stops

It's possible that the connectors (wires and connectors) of your oven are defective and that the electrical voltage is no longer correctly delivered, thus causing stopping the oven after releasing the start button.

To check the connections, it is necessary to dismantle the rear panel of the oven, as well as the upper panel if necessary. It should then be check if the internal wiring is damaged. Check if the wires are melted, stripped, burnt, unhooked, cut, oxidized, etc. Of course, this must be done off.

If you find a problem with your oven's wiring, we recommend that you have a professional technician perform the necessary repairs. In fact, faulty wiring can pose a potential danger to you and your family. A qualified technician can diagnose the problem and repair faulty wiring to keep your home safe.

Also remember to check that the electrical outlet is working properly and to remove the power strip if you use one. Indeed, it is strongly recommended that you plug your large household electrical appliances into an individual wall outlet to avoid electrical noise and voltage surges that are potentially harmful to their lifespan.

If your oven continues to turn off after you stop pressing the button, we recommend that you contact a professional to diagnose the problem and repair it effectively. Indeed, the problem can come from an electronic card, but also from another element of the faulty oven.

Conclusion

If your oven turns off when you release the button, it could be due to several factors, including a damaged thermocouple, faulty safety thermostat, out of order control knob or electrical problems. To solve the problem, you can check these elements if you have the soul of a handyman, if not, you can contact a professional to obtain additional information on the breakdown and the cost of the possible repair.

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