Oven Light Bulb Broken? Here’s How To Replace It

Signs of a broken oven light bulb 

An oven light bulb is an essential component of your oven. It allows you to monitor your food while it’s cooking, avoiding over or undercooking of your food. The most obvious sign that your oven light bulb is broken, is that no light comes on when you turn your oven on as normal. Other signs include: 

• A flickering bulb
• Light emitted that is much dimmer than usual
• The oven is not illuminating the inside as it should
• The bulb appears blackened or discolored
• A cracked oven light bulb

Buying a replacement oven light bulb 

Unfortunately, there is no standard oven light bulb. Different bulbs are designed to fit specific oven types and models. You’ll find exactly what bulb to buy on your oven’s user manual. There, you’ll find the type of bulb required, the wattage, and other specifications needed. It is important to check what bulb your oven needs as the wrong bulb can damage your oven — and potentially cause a safety risk. 

As a general rule, evanescent bulbs are found in many ovens, including older models. On the other hand, halogen bulbs are found in newer ovens and are more energy efficient. Check your user manual to see what bulb type is compatible with your oven, before checking for the size and wattages required. 

Purchasing a high quality bulb is a valuable investment, as they often last longer and will require less maintenance in the long run. Staff at department and appliance stores will often know which oven bulbs are good quality and can advise you on which brands to purchase. 

How to replace a broken light bulb 

Removing a broken bulb 

Once you have purchased the correct oven bulb by referring to the user manual, it is time to replace your broken bulb. It is important to be extremely careful when removing a broken oven bulb. If you are unsure of how to remove a bulb safely, it may be best to hire a professional to do this for you. Here’s how to remove a broken bulb: 

• If you decide to remove the bulb yourself, ensure that any power supply to the oven is turned off, and that you are wearing thick protective gloves to protect you from any broken glass. 
• If your bulb has shattered or cracked, start by gently removing any remaining glass from the bulb using a pair of thin pliers. 
• Once you have done this, you can remove the base of the light bulb by unscrewing the base counter clockwise. Again, this is best done with a pair of pliers so to protect your hands. 
• After the bulb has been removed, it is important to clean and dry the socket using a damp cloth. 
• Leave the oven door open to allow the socket to properly air dry, before continuing on to replace the bulb with a new, compatible bulb. 
• While the socket dries, it is important to remove any broken glass thay may have fallen in the oven. This is best done by using a dry cloth and wiping down the oven’s interior. 

Installing a new bulb

When installing a new bulb, it is important that you choose a bulb that is compatible with your oven. You’ll find exactly what specifications the replacement bulb will need in the user manual. Here’s how to install a new bulb:

• Start off by turning off the oven, ensuring it has completely cooled before beginning the process of changing your bulb. 
• If your oven has a cover over the light bulb, begin by unscrewing this. 
• Next, take your new light bulb and screw it in clockwise so that it sits steady, making sure not to over screw the bulb.
• If your oven bulb does have a cover, now is the time to resecrew the cover sitting over the bulb. 
• Next, plug your oven back in, and test the bulb by turning your oven back on. 
• The new bulb should illuminate the inside of your oven without flickering. 

If at any point you are unsure of what to do or you are not confident in what you are doing, it is important to ask for help from a qualified technician. They will be able to safely install a new bulb for you in no time.  

How to service an oven light bulb

Servicing your oven light bulb regularly will help to extend its life span. Although servicing your bulb is a relatively simple task, it is important you take some measures to ensure your safety while doing this. Here’s how to service an oven light bulb: 

• Start off by turning your oven off and unplugging it from the power supply. 
• Next, ensure that you are wearing protective gloves. This will protect your hands from any glass if the bulb shatters. 
• Begin by gently unscrewing the oven light bulb in a counterclockwise direction. 
• Using a clean cloth, wipe down the bulb, ensuring that any build up is removed. 
• Next, use a cloth to clean the socket where the light bulb was screwed into. 
• Then, check the bulb as well as the socket for any signs of physical damage. If the bulb is damaged, it may be time to invest in a new one. 
• If there are no signs of damage, then reinstall the bulb by screwing it in a clockwise manner. Make sure not to over tighten the bulb, as this can result in damage.

Regular servicing will ensure that your oven bulbs last longer and do not have to be replaced as often, saving you money down the line.