Last updated: November 8, 2022 at 14:50 pm
There are few appliances in your home more vital than your oven, although the kids may insist it’s the tv or wi-fi! Most even meals involve the use of the oven, and the hob alone will not cut it.
That’s why it’s so worrying when your oven starts to make an unusual noise when you switch it on. Let’s look at possible causes and what you need to do to fix them.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Normal Noises
Before we look at unusual noises, we should talk about normal ones. If you’ve had your oven for years, you should be familiar with normal operating sounds. If it’s a new oven, though, and it sounds different to your old one, how can you be sure if it’s normal or not? To clarify, here are the sounds you’d expect to hear from your oven.
Hissing – A hissing sound from your oven may seem scary, but it’s normal for a gas oven. It’s the sound of the gas being released. If the sound gets much louder, this may be a cause for concern, but otherwise, it’s nothing to worry about.
Humming – If your oven uses a fan to distribute the heat evenly, you would expect a gentle buzzing noise as it starts up. This is the sound the fan makes when spinning and is perfectly normal. However, even if you don’t have a fan oven, there may be a gentle hum caused by the power supply.
Clicking – When your oven reaches the desired temperature, you may hear a click as the oven stops actively heating. It may do this more than once, depending on how well it maintains the heat.
5 Reasons Your Oven Is Buzzing When Heating Up
If the humming sound has become a loud buzz, it suggests something is not right. Let’s look at possible reasons.
1. The Circulation/Convection Fan
Some ovens feature a fan that circulates the heat evenly throughout the oven for optimal cooking. It’s a moving part that spins quickly for as long as you’re using the oven. Over time, the central bolt that holds it in place can start to loosen. This causes the blade to move unevenly, causing a disrupted airflow which could explain the buzzing.
It may also have been obstructed by debris or even be knocking against other components at the back of your oven. If it’s a very loud buzzing sound or you also hear metallic noises, you need to look at it urgently.
The Fix
To investigate, you’ll need to take off the back panel of your oven. This is easily done if it’s freestanding, but you may need to call in a professional if it’s integrated. Ovens are heavy and pose a danger if you drop one while trying to remove it. It will also be physically wired in rather than having a plug which represents another danger. Unless you regularly work with appliances, don’t take risks.
Once you’ve unscrewed the back, examine the fan blades and check if there’s any visible damage. Next, try to spin the blades and assess if they’re moving as they should. Look for obstructions or any excessive movement as they turn. If there is an obstruction, remove it if you can.
Once it’s removed, try the blades again. If they move smoothly, problem solved!
Are the blades are knocking against the surrounding area? First check if the fan is bolted in place securely. If not, try to tighten the bolt before spinning it again. If it’s still knocking, use some pliers to bend the end of the blades slightly to move them out of the way. On the off chance this still doesn’t work, you will need to replace the fan.
Related: How to Fix a Noisy Oven Fan (3 Main Reasons)
2. The Cooling Fan
The cooling fan sits at the top of your oven but should only come on towards the end of the cooking time to cool down the oven.
So, if you’re hearing it when heating up, this is not the cause. If your oven only has a cooling fan, you can rule out this as the cause.
3. The Motor
If the fan isn’t responsible for the noise, the motor may be. It connects to the fan and spins it, so it’s as likely to fail.
The Fix
If you’ve checked all the fan parts above, there’s one more check to do. First, unbolt the fan and remove the blades completely. Then, try to move the shaft that the blades are attached to. If it feels loose and wiggles back and forth easily, it suggests the motor is failing. Unfortunately, the only option here is to replace the motor.
4. A Body Panel Is Loose
It’s more common for this fault to occur if you’ve already removed a panel to conduct a repair. However, it can work itself loose over time, so it’s still worth checking. If the panel is loose, it can vibrate against the other surfaces and make a buzzing sound.
The Fix
The fix is nice and simple! Simply inspect all the screws or bolts holding each panel onto your oven. Even if they don’t look loose, try tightening them a little to make sure the panels are held firmly in place. Once they’ve all been tightened, turn your oven on and see if it’s still making the noise.
5. A Failed Heating Element
If the heating element fails, the effect can be a little scary. People have reported a loud buzzing sound and sometimes even sparks of electricity inside the oven.
The Fix
There is no way to fix the element, so it will need to be replaced. Although it may seem daunting, it’s an easy fix, and parts are not particularly expensive. Ovens differ slightly, but here are general guidelines:
- Turn off the electricity at the breaker
- Unscrew the base plate of your oven
- Inspect how the element is currently connected
- Remove the old element
- Reconnect the new one
- Switch the power back on and test it
Conclusion
Although a buzzing sound from your oven is worrying, most of the time, it’s not a sign of a significant fault.
Most problems can be fixed without calling out a tradesman but always remember to turn off the power before attempting any repair.
