Here's How To Replace Your Oven Light Without The Hassle (& Mistakes To Avoid)

Oven lights are one of those tiny yet crucial components we all take for granted. Obviously, these light bulbs are not designed to last as long as the oven. But until they fail, we seldom think about the important function they serve in letting us observe the meals we're baking. When the fateful day comes and the light gives up the ghost, we may feel like we've gone back to the dark ages. The good news is that if your oven light has failed, you don't need to resort to monitoring your meal's baking progress with a smartphone flashlight. Also, there's no need to panic, and the broken light isn't necessarily a sign that your oven is too old. In most cases, the procedure for replacing an oven light is a simple enough DIY task.

Replacing an oven light typically involves four simple steps — making the oven safe, removing the glass cover, replacing the bulb, and then turning the oven back on to test the light. Choosing the correct lightbulb, handling it properly, and diagnosing other causes of the light not coming on are the slightly trickier steps. Below, we'll walk you through the complete procedure for replacing a broken oven light and tell you which mistakes to steer clear of. You'll also learn when it's best to call the pros instead of attempting the repair yourself.

Before you start changing the light bulb, see if a lack of power is the issue causing the light to not come on. You can do so by turning on the burners or checking your breaker panel. If the oven gets power supply and all the other functions work, then proceed with the lightbulb change.

Start by ensuring that the oven is off and there are no hot surfaces. At this point, you should also turn the power supply off at the circuit breaker. Next, get inside the oven cavity and take off the light bulb cover. In most models — such as those by popular manufacturers like General Electric and Whirlpool — the glass cover comes off if you twist it counterclockwise. If your oven's cover is screwed on, you'll have to unscrew it before you get access to the bulb.

The next step is to take the lightbulb out. If it's an incandescent bulb, you can rotate it in the socket to unscrew it. Meanwhile, halogen bulbs should come out easily when you pull on them. Next, insert the new bulb following the same steps you used to take the old one out (but in reverse). Then, replace the cover, turn the power back on and test the light. If it's still not coming on, chances are the light switch isn't working (this fault could also cause the oven light to not turn off). You can either check the instruction manual for troubleshooting steps, or call for service.

First, installing the wrong replacement bulb is a serious mistake that can cause the new light to get damaged quickly. Light bulbs used inside ovens are manufactured specifically for the purpose, and can withstand exposure to heat — something regular bulbs are not meant to do. Many oven models rely on 40-watt incandescent, and 50-watt halogen lights are common, but they should be labeled "appliance bulb" — that's how you know they can handle the heat. You can refer to the oven's user manual to find out which light bulb model makes the correct replacement. Another option is to look up the oven's model or serial number online, and check if an electronic version of the manual is available. Of course, you can follow the steps above to unscrew the old bulb, then take it to a home hardware or appliance store and ask an associate for help.

Another mistake you can make is to mishandle the new bulb during installation. Touching the bulb with your bare hands isn't advised, as doing so can damage it. To avoid breaking the new light or shortening its lifespan, always wear gloves or use a cloth to handle the item during replacement.

Is your oven equipped with an LED light? If so, attempting to remove it on your own can lead to unnecessary costs and wasted effort. Chances are that these lights are covered by a warranty, but you'll need to call a licensed appliance repair service to handle their replacement.