Range and cooktop problems, lifespan and upkeep

A range combines a cooktop and an oven, and a wall oven or separate cooktop works the same way. Electric models heat with elements on a 240-volt circuit; gas models light a burner with an igniter. Most trouble comes from the heat source: a burner that won't light or heat, or an oven that is not heating. Repairs typically run $130–310, and gas work and 240-volt wiring are for a pro.

Common problems
How long it should last

Typical lifespan: about 15–20 years

Signs it is near the end:

  • A repair would cost more than half the price of a new range.
  • The oven can't hold temperature even with a good element or igniter and a sound door seal.
  • More than one burner or element has failed.
  • The control board or display keeps failing.
Basic upkeep
  • Wipe spills when the cooktop is cool, and keep gas burner ports clear with a pin or a stiff brush.
  • After cleaning a gas burner, dry the igniter and set the cap flat and centered on its base.
  • Check the oven door seal for tears or flat spots, and look at the bake element for blisters now and then.
  • Keep the gas supply valve behind the range accessible and know which way is open.
  • If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company or 911 from outside.
Common fixes

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

  • Fridge not cooling?

    Fridge

    The fridge section is warm or warming. The cause depends on whether the freezer is still cold, and the first fix is often free.

  • Washer won't spin?

    Washer

    The drum fills and washes but won't spin, which is usually an unbalanced load, the lid switch, or a drain problem.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your range in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

  • the bake element on the oven floor, close up
  • the burner and its cap, or the coil and its socket
  • the control panel and any error code
  • the model label (inside the oven door frame or the storage drawer)

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

Fixology helps you understand your home — it isn't a substitute for a licensed pro on serious gas, electrical, or structural work.