Oven Door Not Closing? Try This Simple Hack For A Quick Fix In A Pinch

An overheated kitchen, improperly baked food, and unbearable frustration are common challenges homeowners face when dealing with an oven door that will not shut. If you have fallen victim to this unfortunate appliance failure, you might wonder what caused it in the first place. A locked oven, damaged hinges, warping, misaligned racks, and broken or bent springs are some of the more likely reasons the door may not close all the way. 

If your oven's springs are the source of the problem, you may be able to get the door to shut using two washcloths. You will need to lay one cloth on each of the door's two hinges, pull the door shut as much as you can, and use the handle to gently push it inward against the towels. Although you cannot always repair everything at home yourself, this is a pretty low-risk DIY.

This technique should fix the misaligned springs to get the door to shut all the way again. After completing this low-cost repair, you can return to baking your food as intended. Keep in mind that the two washcloths will not fix all of the issues that can lead to a damaged oven door. If your door's springs are not the source of the problem, or if you try this method out and it does not work, consider calling a trusted appliance repair pro for help.

To use this method to fix your oven door, take a close look at the above video for guidance. After the washcloths are in place, follow the method explained in the clip to push your oven door inward. Be careful with the amount of force you are using. You want to use enough pressure so that the springs become properly aligned, but not so much that you cause further damage. After you remove your cloths, you should be left with a fully functional oven door.

Let's overview some of the ways to resolve a few of the other problems that can prevent your oven door from closing. If your door gasket is obstructed or damaged, simply clean out any food or debris preventing the door from shutting. A damaged gasket will just need to be switched out with a new one. Rusty hinges in an oven that is too old or otherwise damaged will need to be replaced as well to get the door to shut again. Keep in mind that loose hinges would only need to be tightened. Misaligned racks can simply be slid back into place. Unfortunately, a warped door is one of the more expensive repairs because you may need to purchase a new oven if you are not able to find a replacement. Finally, do not forget to check your oven's lock to ensure that it is not blocking the door from being shut.