Why Your Whirlpool Oven Won't Turn Off and Simple Steps To Fix It

Is your Whirlpool oven continuing to heat up even after you've switched it off? This common oven issue can be worrying and frustrating to deal with. But don't stress - in most cases, it's possible to diagnose the problem and get your oven working normally again with a few simple fixes.

Symptoms of the Oven Not Turning Off

Here are some telltale signs that your Whirlpool oven isn't shutting off properly:

• The oven remains hot and continues baking/broiling even when turned "off"
• The interior heating element remains red hot
• The digital display keeps showing that the oven is still on
• The oven repeatedly turns itself back on after you've switched it off

Main Reasons a Whirlpool Oven Won't Turn Off

Faulty Oven Control Board

The control board is the "brain" of your Whirlpool oven, responsible for regulating all of the oven's functions. If this control board develops an electrical fault, it can cause the oven to continue heating even when switched off.

Signs your oven's control board may be defective include:

• Unusual readings/functions showing on the oven display
• The oven repeatedly turning on and off on its own

To diagnose, visually inspect the control board for any damaged relays or components. Also do a continuity test on the individual relays to check for faults.

If the control board is found to be faulty, replacement of the entire board is recommended.

Damaged Relay Board

The relay board is responsible for controlling the voltage sent to the oven's heating element. If this component fails, the heating element can end up stuck "on", resulting in overheating issues.

Symptoms that your oven's relay board could be damaged include:

• The interior heating element continuing to glow red hot even when oven is off
• The oven repeatedly reheating itself shortly after being switched off

Carefully inspect the relay board for signs of burnt, cracked, or severely corroded relays/contacts. If damage is visible, replacement of the entire board is required.

Failed Heating Element

Problems with either the bake or broil heating element can also prevent the oven from shutting off properly.

Issues with Bake Element

The bake element provides the main heat for baking and roasting. If it fails, the oven may not reach the right temperature to signal the cycle to end.

Signs your bake element is failing:

• Oven is slow to heat up
• Heating is uneven

Carry out continuity testing on the element to confirm bake element issues. The element will need replacement if faulty.

Problems with Broil Element

The broil element is responsible for top browning and broiling. Similar to the bake element, a damaged broil element can also prevent the oven from shutting off.

Problems include:

• Foods cook but no top browning occurs
• The element appears burnt out or discolored

Conduct isolation checks using a multi-meter to determine if the broil element needs replacing.

Short Circuited Surface Element

If your Whirlpool oven has an integrated cooktop, issues with the electrical surface heating element can potentially lead to oven shutdown problems.

Typical symptoms include:

• Visible sparking or a yellow flame when surface element turned on
• Surface element stays red hot even when controls are turned off

Thoroughly inspect the questionable surface element for signs of electrical short circuiting failure. Look for damaged contacts or element coils touching the cooktop surface. Replace the entire surface element if faulty.

Malfunctioning Temperature Sensor

The oven sensor monitors the internal temperature and signals the control board when to turn heating elements on/off. So sensor issues can lead to heating regulation problems.

This typically shows up as:

• Inaccurate oven temperature readings
• Poor temperature control regulation by oven

Use a multimeter to isolate faults with the sensor. Then replace the sensor if it is determined to be defective.

Additional Causes

Less common reasons for a Whirlpool oven not shutting off properly include:

• Faulty door switch (won't signal oven door is closed)
• Bad ignition switch leaving oven gas burner flames on
• Broken thermal fuse unable to prevent overheating
• Damaged wires causing control board communication issues

We recommend getting professional assistance to test and fix these less common, but potential underlying oven issues.

Preventing Future Oven Problems

Follow these useful care and maintenance tips to help avoid Whirlpool oven shutdown problems occurring in the first place:

• Regularly clean your oven to prevent component damage from grease buildup
• Be prompt in replacing old or failing oven parts like heating elements
• Always handle the oven gently and carefully based on manufacturer guidelines
• Take care not to overload oven trays or shelves to prevent strain on internal parts

Carrying out proper care, usage, and maintenance goes a long way towards extending the working life of your Whirlpool appliance.

We hope this guide gives you a helpful understanding of why your Whirlpool oven may fail to turn off along with actionable solutions. In most instances, the problem comes down to a faulty control board, damaged relay board, broken heating element or short circuited surface element. Carry out the necessary diagnostic tests, then replace any identified damaged parts. Regular oven maintenance can also help avoid issues occurring down the track. With the right troubleshooting approach and component replacements, you'll be back to smoothly baking and broiling in your Whirlpool in no time!