How to Replace Oven Door Switch

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

While the oven door switch may not seem to mean much for oven functionality, it actually is of some importance. First, it influences how the oven light works. For many ovens, the door switch turns on the light if the oven opens, and turns it off when it closes unless the oven light switch is on. Also, the door switch affects the cleaning function in that the oven won’t self-clean if the door switch has stopped working and doesn’t sense the door is closed when it is.

This post provides detailed instructions on replacing an oven door switch, which is a simple repair with an interesting step.

Gather Supplies

Find the correct replacement door switch for your oven by checking the owner’s manual for the part number.  Other supplies include:

• Screwdriver – Phillips and flat head
• Work gloves
• Prop stick

Safety First

• Disconnect Power
  Because this repair involves an electrical component, there is risk for dangerous shock. Be sure to cut power to the oven before beginning work. If you can’t reach the plug — very common with built-in ovens — turn it off at the breaker.
• Put on Gloves
  This repair also involves handling potentially sharp surfaces inside the oven, so it is especially important to wear work gloves for protection.

Open Top

• Open Oven Door
  Open oven door all the way to access the front of the door switch and the underside of the cooktop lip.
• Remove Screws Beneath Cooktop Lip
  Underneath the front lip of the cooktop are two screws with heads pointing toward the floor. Unscrew them and set aside.
• Carefully Pull Cooktop Forward
  Pull cooktop forward to free two hinge tabs at back of cooktop and lift up. It’s okay to wiggle and lift cooktop as you pull it free.
• Lift and Prop Cooktop
  Once cooktop is free of  hinge tabs, lift up front of cooktop like a box lid. Use piece of wood or sturdy stick to prop it open, bracing on metal. Be careful not to damage oven insulation underneath.

Remove Existing Door Switch

• Identify Door Switch
  The door switch is a small cylindrical part set into upper right or left corner of oven door aperture with wires through the back.
• Disconnect Wires
  Remember which color of wire is on top, and then disconnect wires. Take a picture for help when reassembling.
• Release Locking Tabs
  With flat-head / slot screwdriver, press down on metal locking tabs of door switch, allowing switch to loosen.
• Pull Out Door Switch
  Pull door switch out through front of oven and set aside. Switch can be thrown away or e-recycled.

Install New Door Switch

• Push New Switch into Place
  Slide new door switch into place through now-vacant hole in front of oven door aperture. Press until locking tabs click.
• Connect Wires
  Reconnect wires in same way they were connected to existing door switch.

Reassemble Oven

• Remove Prop and Lower Oven
  Reverse process to open oven top. Start by removing prop stick and gently lowering cooktop back onto oven body.
• Fit Hinge Tabs Below Upper Control Panel
  While sliding oven cooktop backward, be sure tabs fit neatly underneath control panel.
• Line Up Cooktop Sides
  Ensure sides of cooktop settle correctly over top of oven body and are not leaning to left or right.
• Push Back Firmly
  Now firmly and carefully, push cooktop back into place. You may need to wiggle it and vary force to get firmly into place.
• Return Mounting Screws
  Now return mounting screws underneath cooktop lip.

Test Repair

• Restore Power
  Plug oven back in or switch breaker back on.
• Open and Close Door
  Next, try opening and closing oven door with oven light manually turned off. Check if light comes on when door opened and turns off when closed.
• Run Self-Cleaning Cycle
  Now, test run self-cleaning cycle. If oven runs complete cycle, repair was a complete success!

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!