Fixing an Oven Door: Hinge Repair & Replacement

Isn’t it frustrating when your oven door fails to close properly all of a sudden? Well, the problem may have appeared in a space of a few days, of course, but the result is all the same – heat escaping during cooking and a failed baked or roasted meal.

There could be all sorts of reasons behind an oven door not closing properly, from a faulty hinge that needs replacing to a worn-out or broken door oven seal that keeps getting in the way.

So, in this post, we’ll look into different oven door repair causes and solutions, as well as explore some tips on how to fix or replace the oven door hinges.

Why is your oven door not closing properly?

Let’s see what might be the problem with your oven door and what you can do to fix the problem. And if some of the solutions don’t require any particular tools and expertise, with some oven door issues, you may need to put your DIY skills to the test.

The hinge has come off

Oven door hinge problems are not uncommon. If for some reason, you’ve pulled the oven door a bit forcefully, it’s possible for one of the hinges to come off. So, now it’s not in a locked-in position. Then, try to place the hinge back into the slot in the oven door frame, lift the little hinge “leg” (locking tab) and lock it back into position.

The hinge is not tightened enough

With everyday use of your cooking appliance, the screws of your oven door hinges may become loose. And the door may begin to hang a bit on one side, not closing properly. So, to fix the misaligned oven door, you’ll need to adjust the door hinges and tighten them with a screwdriver. Not hard, right?

Issues with the oven door seal

Your oven door seal (also known as gasket) is also prone to wear and tear. If it comes off a bit on one side, for example, and doesn’t fit perfectly the door frame, then, it’s bound to obstruct the oven door, which won’t close tightly and as it should. So, your best bet is to clean the gasket and try to align it back in place. If the seal is actually broken and beyond repair, and it won’t stay in place, then you better replace it with a new one altogether.

Hinges need cleaning

The hinges can collect all sorts of dirt, grease mixed with dust and food bits that have fallen through and are now stuck on the metal and in between hinge components. Rust spots on the hinges can also affect the way the latter perform and how the oven door opens and closes. Therefore, make sure that you clean the hinges properly with some soda paste and a toothbrush. Then wipe with a clean cloth.

Obstruction in between the door and the oven

From fallen food bits in between the bottom of the oven door and the oven frame to metal plates and racks sticking slightly out, your oven door may fail to close, due to physical obstructions. Inspect the issue closely and try to move trays and racks in and out of the oven. Chances are that these don’t slide as they should because of grease build up. So, again, we come to the fact that you may need to clean well inside of your oven and remove all fallen food bits from between the door and the oven frame, in order to solve the problem.

Broken hinge spring

There are different oven models, of course, with oven doors that are fastened differently to the main body of the appliance. From latchless hinge doors and hinge latch doors to spring hinge doors, they can all suffer wear and tear with long-term use. If your oven door has hinges with springs that have broken, you’ll need to remove the door and replace the springs with new ones. Note that in this case, you may need the help of an oven repair specialist, as replacing the springs may mean dismantling your oven. You see, some oven door hinge springs are located in the door itself, and some are fitted on the side panel of the appliance’s chamber, depending on the model.

Faulty hinge

The hinge itself may snap or become faulty, as well as the latch may need replacing. In such cases, you will have to get new hinges that fit your oven model and replace the old ones. To do the job, you will need a few simple tools and some patience. We describe the process of fixing your oven door by replacing the hinges below.

How to replace oven door hinges

First of all, wipe your oven door with a cloth and some detergent. You wouldn’t want to work on a greasy door, right? Get a soft towel and clear some space to place the door after you remove it. In some cases, to detach it, you may need a screwdriver. Have both a flat one and a Philips type at hand because you’ll need them to disassemble the door and replace the hinges.

Here are the steps to follow on how to remove an oven door and install new hinges:

As you can see, with a bit of patience and attention to detail, you won’t find it hard to fix your oven door. Of course, if you’re not that certain of how good your practical skills are and you fear that you may do more harm than good, then just call in a professional appliance repair specialist.

Disclaimer: We are a commercial home maintenance service provider. Our purpose with this blog is to provide valuable and accurate content for solely informational purposes. We strongly advise our readers to consider all the risks and health concerns before taking a DIY project. We also highly recommend you get fully informed about the laws and regulations regarding electrical, plumbing, appliance repair and other work in the different states of Australia.

Did you find our post helpful? Have you tried to fix your oven door by yourself? Tell us about it in the comments below!