Oven Making Noise When Off: Causes and Fixes!

You may or not notice the oven making noise when off. Don’t call a technician yet. An oven can make noise when off because the cooling fan is still on. But sometimes the noise could be disturbing. 

Several reasons lead to the oven humming. Some problems are minor and have an easy fix. However, if the oven has a prolonged cooling period or abnormal noise, check what’s the problem. 

Here, we’ll explore the reasons why your oven is making noise. It’s easier to find a solution after identifying the cause of the noise. 

Why is Oven Making Noise when Off

There’s more than one reason why the oven makes noise when off. However, much of the noise starts when you switch on the oven. You may not notice since your mind and energy are on the meals you are making. 

The cooling system in your oven can run for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the duration of your cooking. The appliance design allows the vapors to escape as they are pushed away by the fan. But if it goes beyond that, the hardware has a fault. It will help if you address it before it gets out of hand. The hardware could have a problem, and the noise is just an alert. 

The thermostat is the first culprit when you hear the oven making noise when off. It keeps the fan running for a long time. However, if the noise has a high pitch, vibrates, or is a repetitive clanging, you may have a problem with their oven parts. Let’s explore the common causes, how to identify the problems, and possible fixing methods. 

Motor

The cooling system runs with the help of a motor; you’ll hear rattling and high-pitched noise if the motor runs into a problem. It may cause problems to the fan blades, producing a whirring sound. 

Try rotating the fan blades manually. The motor is damaged or worn out if it can’t rotate effortlessly. Open the appliance at the backside to access the motor. But a new motor in case the existing one is faulty. 

Fan Blades

Fan blades work best when they are in alignment. If the alignment distorts, you’ll hear rhythmic thumping or whirring noise. Fan blades fall out of alignment after a long time of use. The reason is that they run at high speed and loosen with time. Sometimes they may knock on other parts of the oven. Thus, one or more blades may snap out of alignment. 

Fan blades can continuously knock against other parts and sides of the oven leading to physical damage. It happens if you ignore the disturbing whirring noise at first. Fixing the fan will depend on the extent of the damage. 

Thermostat 

The thermostat ensures the fan runs long enough to cool down the oven. It sends an alert to the cooling system when it needs to switch on or off. Thus, when it’s faulty, it won’t send the signal. Therefore, the fan may run for more than the usual 30 minutes. 

A damaged thermostat is a danger to the whole oven. It may not register when the temperatures are too high. Thus, the oven may overheat, causing damage to other crucial parts. 

It’s easy to miss a broken thermostat. A faulty thermostat may not change the noise the oven makes. However, it may run longer than usual. Thus, it would help if you were always keen on your oven. You should be checking with a timer after every few weeks. 

Preventing the Oven from Making Noise When Off 

Knowing the possible causes of oven noise, you can take a few steps to stop or prevent the noise. However, call a technician when the problem is beyond our handy skills. 

Check Thermostat

A thermostat is a primary reason for oven noise. It sends a signal to the motor and fan to rotate. Thus, it needs to be functional to keep the temperatures in the correct range. You can quickly burn your food or damage your oven without a thermostat. 

Most ovens have their thermostat at the control panel, under the backsplash, or the back panel. You can check the instructions manual for the location of the thermostat. You can also check online for the instruction to access it if you lose the manual.

Run a multimeter test once you locate the thermostat. If the test reveals that the thermometer is faulty, you should buy another one. Check with local hardware stores or online stores. You can also contact the supplier for an original replacement. 

Tighten or Replace Fan Blades

It’s easier to fix the fan blades than the thermostat. Find them through the back panel. Unscrew the panel so that you can easily access the fan blades. 

The fan blades are usually within a circular cage. If the blades are out of alignment, they will rub against the cage to produce a clunking sound. You can fix the problem by tightening the nut in the middle. Use a screwdriver or a pair of pliers to fix it. If the problem persists, then you should replace the fan set. 

Check whether grease saturates the fan. Also, the bearings should move freely to allow the fan to rotate quietly. You should buy another fan if you see physical damage to the blades and the ball bearings. 

Replace the Motor

If the problem persists after replacing the fan blades, the problem is with the motor. You can see the motor after detaching the fan blades from the oven. The motor is usually in a metal casing to ensure its safety. You’ll have to replace the whole motor if a part of it is faulty. 

• Start by unplugging the oven. 
• Unscrew the metal casing of the motor at the back of the appliance. 
• Detach all wires connecting the motor to other sensors. 
• Unscrew the metal casing to remove the motor setup. 
• Loosen the screw on each side of the blade shaft. 
• Clean the dirt, food particles, and grease from the casing. 
• Replace the motor by following the above steps backward. 

Let the Oven Rest After Every Use

If you want to avoid your oven breaking down soon, you must let it rest after every use. That way, the motor, and the fan will rest and have a prolonged lifespan. Also, cooling down prevents the thermostat and other oven parts from failing due to constant heating.

Rest relieves the rotary component and prepares for another cooking session. Thus, your device will remain comfortable and perform well for a long time. You’ll also keep your appliance in the optimum energy-saving mode.

Related:

• Microwave oven sounds like a blow torch

Conclusion 

It’s hard to notice the oven making noise when off because the noise is gentle and regular. Maybe you’ll notice after someone else points it out. However, when there’s a faulty part, there will be a change in the noise. The noise will run for more than 30 minutes if it’s the thermostat. But a faulty motor or fan blades will cause loud, squeaky, clunking noise.

It would help if you observed the noise your oven produces. It helps to repair the faulty parts before they damage the entire appliance. The motor, fan blades, and thermostat are easy to fix. If unsure of the steps, you can always hire a technician.