--- title: "Oven Temperature Not Accurate: Causes and Fixes" description: "Recipes come out burnt or underdone at the right setting, and an oven thermometer reads far from the dial." url: "https://ovenrepair.center/problems/oven-temperature-wrong/" --- # Oven Temperature Not Accurate Recipes come out burnt or underdone at the right setting, and an oven thermometer reads far from the dial. ## What it usually means. An oven does not hold a single temperature; it heats past the setting, switches off, cools a little and heats again, so a thermometer moves up and down through a cycle. What matters is the average over several minutes. When that average sits well away from the setting, the sensor, its wiring, the control's calibration or the door seal is usually responsible. Many ovens let you apply an offset from the settings menu, which corrects a steady drift without any repair. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is the oven running hot or cold compared with the setting? 02 Is the difference the same at every setting, or larger at high heat? 03 Where is your thermometer placed, and have you read it over a few cycles? 04 Is the door gasket intact, and does steam or heat escape around the door? 05 Did the problem start after a self-clean, a repair or a new control? ## Check these before you book. Oven temperature not accurate: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Place an oven thermometer in the center of a middle rack and read it several times over a few cycles. 02 Look at the sensor at the back of the cavity; it should not touch the oven wall. 03 Check the door gasket all the way around for flattened, torn or loose sections. ### Also worth checking - Look in the settings menu for a temperature offset and note its value. - Say how far off and in which direction the oven runs when you book. ### How soon does it need a visit? Not urgent, though an oven that runs far too hot can scorch food and heat the cabinet around it. If the temperature climbs without stopping, turn the oven off and treat it as an oven that will not switch off. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things oven temperature not accurate turns out to be, from calibration offset set wrong to control board misreading the sensor. [The cost guide](https://ovenrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Calibration offset set wrong Someone may have set an offset in the menu, or a control reset cleared an offset you relied on. The owner's manual shows how to check and change it. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 low ### Temperature sensor drifting The probe at the back of the cavity changes resistance with heat. As it ages its reading slides, and the control holds the wrong temperature with full confidence. [Fixed by temperature sensor and calibration](https://ovenrepair.center/services/temperature-sensor-and-calibration/) 3. 03 low ### Worn door gasket letting heat out A gasket that is flattened, torn or pulled loose leaks heat, so the oven runs cool and cycles more often. [Fixed by door hinge and gasket repair](https://ovenrepair.center/services/door-hinge-and-gasket-repair/) 4. 04 low to moderate ### Sensor wiring damaged The harness behind the sensor runs near hot surfaces. A frayed or overheated connector gives readings that jump around. [Fixed by temperature sensor and calibration](https://ovenrepair.center/services/temperature-sensor-and-calibration/) 5. 05 moderate ### Control board misreading the sensor If a new sensor and good wiring still give the wrong heat, the control's reading circuit is the remaining 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 baking unevenly, then oven slow to preheat. [All problems](https://ovenrepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`C-20` Dacor · Temperature sensor](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/dacor-c-20/) - [`C-21` Dacor · Heating](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/dacor-c-21/) - [`F10` Electrolux · Heating](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/electrolux-f10/) - [`F30` Electrolux · Temperature sensor](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/electrolux-f30/) - [`A1` Fisher & Paykel · Heating](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-a1/) - [`F210` Fisher & Paykel · Temperature sensor](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-f210/) [30 more codes, by make](https://ovenrepair.center/error-codes/) Also related - [**Oven Won't Turn Off** 5 causes · gas, fire or electrical risk](https://ovenrepair.center/problems/oven-wont-turn-off/) ### Oven Baking Unevenly 5 causes ### Oven Slow to Preheat 5 causes ### Oven Not Heating 6 causes ## The makes it happens on. 30 makes on this site; oven temperature not accurate can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 30 brands](https://ovenrepair.center/brands/) ## Oven Temperature Not Accurate, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. [All service areas](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://ovenrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about oven temperature not accurate. ### My thermometer jumps around during baking. Is the oven broken? Some swing is how ovens work: they overshoot, pause and heat again. Read the thermometer over several cycles and look at the average before deciding the oven is off. ### Can I just adjust the offset and skip the repair? If the oven is off by a steady amount and has always been, an offset is a fair fix. If the error keeps growing or changes from day to day, a part is failing and the offset will not keep up. ### Why is my new oven hotter than my old one at the same setting? An older oven may have drifted cool over the years, and you adjusted without noticing. A new oven is often simply accurate. Check it with a thermometer before assuming the new one is wrong. ### Does the temperature on a steam oven work the same way? Mostly, but steam changes how food cooks at a given setting, and the oven uses additional sensors to manage it. A steam oven that is off is best checked in a dry mode first. --- **[Read on the site: Oven Temperature Not Accurate: Causes and Fixes](https://ovenrepair.center/problems/oven-temperature-wrong/)** **[Book a visit with OvenRepair.center](https://ovenrepair.center/schedule/)**