"The stove is broken" can mean a dozen different things: one burner is cold, the oven will not heat, the clock is dark, the burners click but do not light. Before you replace anything, it is worth separating two questions. Is the problem the stove itself, or what feeds it? And if it is the stove, is it the kind of failure worth fixing? This guide works through both, with notes for renters and landlords, since many stoves in the valley live in apartments, condos and rental homes.
Is it the stove or the supply?
Electric stoves
Electric stoves run on a 240-volt circuit with a double-pole breaker. If one half of that breaker trips, the stove can behave strangely: the clock and lights may work while some burners or the oven do not. Switch the breaker fully off, then back on. If it trips again, stop there and get the circuit or stove checked.
Older stoves in 1980s apartments and homes, common in Paradise around 89119, often plug into older receptacles. Scorch marks on the wall outlet, a burning smell from behind the stove, or a plug that feels hot are reasons to stop using the stove and have the connection inspected by a qualified electrician.
Gas stoves
Gas stoves need both gas and electricity: gas to burn, and 120 volts for spark ignition, the oven igniter and the clock. Make sure the stove is plugged in and the outlet works. If the stove was moved for cleaning, the gas shutoff valve behind it may have been bumped closed. If you smell gas, leave the home and call Southwest Gas or 911 from outside. Our guide to gas range repair covers burners and igniters in more detail.
Coil-top electric stoves: easy diagnosis
Coil-element stoves are still common in rentals because they are durable and inexpensive. They are also the easiest stove to troubleshoot. With the stove off and the coils completely cool:
- Reseat the burner. Lift the coil and pull it straight out of its receptacle, then push it back in firmly. A loose connection is a frequent cause of a burner that heats intermittently.
- Swap burners. Move the cold burner to a working position of the same size, and the working burner to the cold position.
- Read the result. If the problem follows the burner, replace the coil. If it stays in the same position, the receptacle or the infinite switch behind the knob is the likely culprit.
- Look at the receptacle. Blackened, pitted or melted terminals mean the receptacle needs replacing, and the coil that sat in it may need replacing too.
A burner that stays on high regardless of the knob setting usually has a failed infinite switch. Coils, receptacles and switches are all inexpensive parts and routine repairs. Turn off the breaker before working on receptacles or switches, or leave it to a technician.
Smooth-top electric stoves
Radiant glass tops hide the elements beneath the glass, so you cannot swap them. A cold zone can be a failed element, an infinite switch, or a control board on touch-control models. A cracked glass top needs attention before the stove is used again; see our separate guide on cracked cooktops if that is your situation.
The oven half
Whether gas or electric, ovens share a few common failures:
- Electric: a burned-out bake or broil element, a failed temperature sensor, a blown thermal fuse after self-cleaning, or a control relay.
- Gas: a weak hot-surface igniter that glows but never lights the burner, or a failed sensor or valve.
- Both: a worn door gasket or misaligned hinges that let heat escape, and inaccurate temperature from a drifting sensor.
An oven thermometer on the middle rack is the simplest way to check whether the oven is actually off temperature before calling for service.
Repair or replace?
Stoves are long-lived: electric models commonly last around 13 years and gas models around 15. That means most failures are worth repairing, but a few situations lean the other way.
Usually worth repairing
- Coil burners, drip pans, receptacles and infinite switches
- Oven bake and broil elements, igniters and temperature sensors
- Door gaskets, hinges and oven lights
- Spark modules and burner switches on gas stoves
Often a reason to replace
- A rusted-through or badly chipped oven cavity
- Discontinued control boards on an older electronic model
- Several failures at once on a stove nearing the end of its expected life
- A cooktop with widespread damage, such as a cracked glass top with damaged elements beneath
If you replace, match the fuel and the connection your kitchen already has. Switching from gas to electric or the reverse needs new utility work. Install and engage the anti-tip bracket, which prevents a freestanding stove from tipping forward if a child climbs on the open door.
Notes for renters and landlords
Renters: if the stove came with the unit, report the problem to your landlord or property manager in writing, describe the symptoms, and let them arrange the repair. Doing it yourself can create disputes over responsibility. In the meantime, avoid using a stove with scorch marks, a burning smell or a gas odor.
Landlords and property managers: repair is usually faster than replacement for common problems, which matters when a tenant is without a working stove. For older coil-top stoves, replacing a burner, receptacle or switch is typically quick. When replacing, many owners choose a durable model with widely available parts. In condo buildings, check HOA rules on delivery times, elevator reservations and haul-away before scheduling a swap.
When to call a technician
Call for service if the breaker keeps tripping, you see scorch marks or melted terminals, the oven will not heat after you have checked the basics, a gas burner or oven will not light, or the controls display error codes. ProFix Appliance Repair Las Vegas handles stove repair for gas and electric models across the valley, including rental properties, with same-day appointments available when booked early. Check our service areas page to confirm we cover your neighborhood.