--- title: "Oven Broiler Not Working: Causes and Fixes" description: "The broil setting starts but the top element stays dark, or the top burner of a gas wall oven will not light." url: "https://ovenrepair.center/problems/broiler-not-working/" --- # Oven Broiler Not Working The broil setting starts but the top element stays dark, or the top burner of a gas wall oven will not light. ## What it usually means. The broiler is the heat source in the roof of the oven: an exposed element on electric models and a separate burner with its own igniter on some gas wall ovens. It works hard at very high heat for short periods, which makes it wear faster than the bake side. When broil stops but bake still works, the problem is almost always in the broil circuit itself: the element or burner, its igniter, its wiring, or the relay that switches it. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Does the top element glow at all, even partly, on broil? 02 Is there a visible break, a bulge or a burned spot on the element? 03 On a gas oven, do you hear the igniter or see a glow at the top? 04 Does the oven heat normally on bake? 05 Did broil stop working after a spill or grease fire under it? ## Check these before you book. Oven broiler not working: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Confirm in the manual whether your oven broils with the door open or closed, and set it that way. 02 With the oven cold, look at the broil element for a split, a blister or a dark spot. 03 Run bake for a few minutes to confirm the rest of the oven heats. ### Also worth checking - On a gas oven, note whether you hear or see the broil igniter; never touch the gas parts. - Say whether bake still works when you book. ### How soon does it need a visit? Not urgent. Bake still works in most cases, so the oven can be used for most cooking. If the element sparked or burned through, keep the oven off and switch off its breaker. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things oven broiler not working turns out to be, from door position for broil to relay for broil not closing. [The cost guide](https://ovenrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Door position for broil Some ovens need the door fully closed on broil and others broil with the door ajar. Following the manual avoids a broiler that cycles off early. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 low ### Broil element burned out The element in the roof often shows a split or a bright, blistered area where it failed. It is the most common cause on electric wall ovens. [Fixed by bake and broil element repair](https://ovenrepair.center/services/bake-and-broil-element-repair/) 3. 03 low to moderate ### Broil igniter weak or failed On gas ovens with a separate broil burner, its igniter wears the same way the bake one does and stops opening the valve. [Fixed by gas igniter and burner repair](https://ovenrepair.center/services/gas-igniter-and-burner-repair/) 4. 04 low ### Terminal or wire at the broil element The connection at the back of the broil element takes a lot of heat, and it can loosen or burn. [Fixed by bake and broil element repair](https://ovenrepair.center/services/bake-and-broil-element-repair/) 5. 05 moderate ### Relay for broil not closing The control switches broil through its own relay. If the element tests fine, the control is the next suspect. [Fixed by controls and sensors](https://ovenrepair.center/services/controls-and-sensors/) 6. What it costs ### Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side Open the cost guide ## What else it could be. Most often confused with oven not heating, then oven slow to preheat. [All problems](https://ovenrepair.center/problems/) ### Oven Not Heating 6 causes ### Oven Slow to Preheat 5 causes Gas, fire or electrical risk ### Oven Tripping Breaker 5 causes ### Oven Baking Unevenly 5 causes ## The makes it happens on. 30 makes on this site; oven broiler not working can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 30 brands](https://ovenrepair.center/brands/) ## Oven Broiler Not Working, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. 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Is it safe? The spark was probably the element shorting where it failed. Switch the oven off at the breaker until the element is replaced, since the short can trip or arc again. ### Why does broil switch on and off by itself? Broil cycles to hold its temperature, especially with the door closed. That is normal. A broiler that never glows, or stays off for long stretches, is not. ### Does a gas wall oven have a separate broil burner? Many do, at the top of the cavity with its own igniter. Others broil from the bake burner in a drawer below. The manual shows which layout yours uses. ### Can I still bake while the broiler is out? Usually, though preheat may be slower because many ovens use broil to help preheat. Keep an eye on results until the repair. --- **[Read on the site: Oven Broiler Not Working: Causes and Fixes](https://ovenrepair.center/problems/broiler-not-working/)** **[Book a visit with OvenRepair.center](https://ovenrepair.center/schedule/)**