What To Do If Your Oven Door Won’t Close Properly: 7 Tips

Stuck trying to figure out why your oven door won’t close?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I know how annoying it can be to have this happen, especially when you’re about to cook dinner.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for answers.

If your oven door won’t close, you’ll need to check the oven lock and make sure you’re using the right racks for your appliance. You can also try cleaning the door seal, hinges, or springs. But if that doesn’t work, you’ll need to replace the door gasket.

7 Ways to Fix an Oven That Won’t Close

There’s nothing more annoying than not being able to prepare a delicious meal, just because the door won’t stay closed.

This may happen due to numerous reasons. This is why I’ve prepared a list of the most important tips you should follow to fix the issue.

#1 Take a Look at Your Oven Lock

If the oven door won’t close, please take a look at the lock.

You see, most modern ovens have an automatic locking system in place. This locking system keeps the door closed when you are cooking something and can help you keep kids out of the oven when you are using it. 

Because this is an automatic lock, it can also engage when you don’t want it to.

So, if you are having a hard time getting your oven door to close, it might be because the latch has already been engaged. Think of this as trying to close the door to your house when the deadbolt is sticking out. You will not be able to do so. 

To fix this issue, take a look at the lock and make sure it is not engaged. If it is, turn it off. Then, try to close your oven door.

If you are having a difficult time getting the lock to disengage, you may want to clean it first. If you move dust and debris out of the way, you should be able to fix the lock again. 

#2 Examine the Oven Racks

You probably have multiple racks on your oven that are used to cook all sorts of dishes.

However, you must keep in mind that every oven is slightly different. Therefore, the racks you use for one oven may not necessarily be the right racks for another oven.

So, if the oven door won’t close, take a look at the racks and make sure they are not in the way. 

If the oven racks are in the way, you may need to adjust them slightly to get the oven door to close.

But, if you still cannot get the door to close, you may need to switch the racks you are using. This is one of the most common mechanical reasons why you might have a difficult time getting the door to your oven to close. 

#3 Clean the Door Frame

As you may already know, the more you use your oven, the more grime, dirt, and obstructions are going to build up around the door frame.

Unfortunately, if the frame is very dirty, the oven door won’t close.

The good news is that you can easily fix this issue. You’ll just need to use warm water mixed with vinegar to remove any dirt, grime, or food particles that might be present on the door frame.

Keep in mind that there could be some issues underneath the door seal as well. Make sure you clean the entirety of the door frame to address this issue. Then, you should have an easier time getting your oven door to close. 

#4 Clean the Hinges of the Oven Door

Just as you can get grime and dirt on the gasket and door seal, the same thing can happen to the hinges of the oven. This could explain why the oven door won’t close.

Take a look at the hinges and see if there is any grease present. If there is, take a special cleaning solution or mix equal parts of warm water and vinegar and make sure you polish the hinges. After this, you should have an easier time getting the oven door to close. 

If you have done all of this, and you are still having a difficult time getting the oven door to close, then it is also possible you may have to replace the hinges entirely.

Fortunately, this is not a very challenging fix. You can find replacement engines at a home improvement store, and you might be able to order them online as well. 

But, please make sure to check your manual before replacing the hinges.

#5 Check the Seal of the Door

If you’ve tried the fixes above, but the oven door won’t close, there’s a good chance you’ll need to replace the seal of your oven door entirely

You see, similar to other parts of various machines, the seal on your oven door is going to wear out eventually. When this happens, it may begin to crack, bubble, or expand, preventing you from closing your oven door.

If you take a look at the seal to your oven door and you spot cracks, this is a sign that you may need to replace it.

This is a simple piece of rubber, so this is not particularly challenging; however, you do need to make sure you get the right seal for your oven door. If you have questions about what size seal you need, you should take a look at the manufacturer’s manual. 

When the new seal arrives, make sure it is pressed firmly in place. Otherwise, your oven may start to leak heat into your kitchen, increasing your utility bills. 

#6 Consider the Springs of Your Oven Door

If you have an older oven, it may have springs in the door. Similar to the hinges, the springs can wear out from time to time or get dirty.

When this happens, the oven door won’t close.

If you find that you have a lot of dirt and grime on the springs of your door, you need to clean them thoroughly.

Then, check the elasticity of your springs and make sure they are behaving appropriately. If not, then you may need to clean them better. 

If you have done all of this and the springs are still not behaving properly, it may be time to replace them.

#7 The Oven Door Might Be Warped

Unfortunately, there could be an intrinsic problem with the oven door itself. This can be an expensive fix, but it is something you need to think about.

If your oven door has become warped, then it is not going to be able to form an effective seal with the rest of the appliance. As a result, you will not be able to close your oven door. 

Your oven door is going to be continually exposed to high temperatures. Eventually, it is going to change shape.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if this happens, you may need to buy a new oven.

An oven door is so expensive that it is probably not going to be worth it just to replace the door. A professional contractor might be able to help you find the best oven to meet your needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Oven Doors

A few of the most common reasons why you might not be able to get your oven door to close include:

Conclusion

As you probably noticed, there are lots of reasons why an oven door might not be able to close. A lot of them are mechanical in nature. This means that you need to take a look at anything that could be obstructing the ability of your oven door to close.

Keep in mind that you also need to clean your oven from time to time. You need to remove dust, dirt, grime, and food that builds up on the interior parts of your oven. If you do not clean your oven regularly, this could get in the way of your door.

I hope you enjoyed this guide! Take a look at some related articles below and learn more about your oven!