Why does an oven door stop closing?
An oven door is held shut by two hinges with strong springs. The springs pull the door closed and hold it against the seal. When a spring weakens or a hinge bends, the door no longer pulls tight. A gap at the door lets heat out, so the oven takes longer to heat and the front of the oven and the knobs get hot.
Still having trouble with your oven?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Common causes
These are the usual causes, starting with the ones you can check yourself.
At a glance
| Cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|
| Something is in the way | You can check this |
| The door seal has come loose | You can check this |
| A hinge spring is worn or broken | Technician |
| A hinge is bent | Technician |
| The door glass or frame has shifted | Technician |
- 1
Something is in the way
You can check thisA rack that is not seated properly, a tray sticking out or burnt food on the door edge can stop the door closing. Remove the racks and close the door empty.
- 2
The door seal has come loose
You can check thisMost seals clip into holes around the oven opening. If a clip pops out, the seal bulges and holds the door open. A loose seal can often be clipped back in. A torn or hardened seal needs replacing.
- 3
A hinge spring is worn or broken
TechnicianIf the door drops open or will not stay shut, a spring has usually weakened or snapped. Both hinges are normally replaced together so the door closes evenly.
- 4
A hinge is bent
TechnicianLeaning on the open door or pulling a heavy tray onto it can bend a hinge. The door then sits crooked and leaves a gap on one side.
- 5
The door glass or frame has shifted
TechnicianOn some models the inner glass or door frame can come loose and stop the door sitting flat. The door has to be taken apart to refit it.
What you can safely check yourself
- Close the door emptyRemove the racks and trays and close the door. If it closes now, a rack was in the way.
- Check the sealWith the oven cold, run your hand around the seal. Push any loose clips back into their holes.
- Look at the gapSee where the gap is. A gap at the top on both sides points to the springs. A gap on one side points to a bent hinge.
- Check the door edgeClean any burnt food or grease off the door edge and the oven opening.
When to stop and call a technician
The door drops open, sits crooked, or you can see a broken hinge or spring. Do not try to remove the hinges yourself. The springs are under strong tension and can cause injury, and the door is heavy with glass panels that can break.
How a technician diagnoses it
- Hinge checkThe technician checks both hinges and springs for wear and bending.
- Seal checkThe seal is checked for tears, hardening and missing clips.
- Door alignmentAfter repair the door is checked for an even, tight fit all the way round.
- Fixed priceYou get a fixed price in writing before any part is replaced.
Is it worth repairing?
Usually worth repairing when
- The fault is the hinges, springs or seal
- The oven heats properly otherwise
- Parts for the model are available
Consider replacing when
- The door glass is cracked and parts are not available
- The oven has other major faults as well
- The cavity is badly rusted