Wall Oven Cooling Fan Won't Turn Off

If your wall oven's cooling fan keeps running well after you've turned the oven off, it's worth knowing that a normal cool-down cycle explains this in many models, and it's one of the more common things homeowners mistake for a fault. That said, a stuck temperature sensor or a fan relay stuck on the control board can also keep the fan running longer than it should. 

Common Causes 

• Normal cool-down cycle in many models. Many wall ovens run the cooling fan automatically for anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour after use, especially following a high-temperature bake or a self-clean cycle, to protect the control panel and surrounding cabinetry from heat damage. This is expected behaviour rather than a malfunction, and it's worth checking your specific model's typical cool-down time before assuming anything is wrong. 
• Stuck temperature sensor. If the sensor that monitors internal cavity temperature gets stuck reporting a high reading even after the oven has actually cooled, the control board keeps the fan running based on that incorrect information, well past the point where cooling is actually still needed. 
• Fan relay stuck on control board. The relay is the switch-like component that turns the cooling fan on and off based on signals from the control board. If the relay itself sticks in the "on" position, the fan can run continuously regardless of actual oven temperature, sometimes even when the oven hasn't been used recently at all, which is one of the clearer signs the fan itself isn't the problem. 

When to DIY vs. Call a Pro 

You can safely time how long the fan runs after a typical bake and compare it to your model's expected cool-down duration, which is usually listed in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website. It's also worth noting whether the fan ever stops on its own, even after several hours, versus running truly nonstop regardless of use, and whether it runs even on days the oven hasn't been turned on at all, which is a strong sign of a stuck relay rather than a long cool-down. Diagnosing a stuck sensor or a faulty relay involves testing internal components, which is a job for a technician. 

FAQ 

How long is a normal cool-down cycle supposed to last? 

It varies by model and by how hot the oven ran, but many wall ovens fall somewhere between a few minutes and about an hour, with self-clean cycles often triggering the longest cool-down periods due to the much higher temperatures involved. Checking your specific model's manual is the most reliable way to know what's expected. 

How do I know if it's actually stuck rather than just a long cool-down? 

If the fan is still running after several hours with no oven use in between, or it runs continuously even when the oven hasn't been turned on that day at all, that points to a stuck sensor or relay rather than a normal cool-down cycle that simply hasn't finished yet. 

Is it safe to keep using the oven while the fan runs longer than expected? 

Yes, a fan that won't turn off doesn't affect the oven's ability to heat or bake safely, so it's fine to keep using it while you arrange a repair. It's mostly a nuisance and a minor energy cost rather than a safety concern in itself. 

Could unplugging the oven stop the fan? 

Cutting power will stop the fan immediately, but it also resets the control board entirely, so it's better treated as a temporary step to confirm the fan isn't stuck for some other electrical reason rather than a lasting fix if the sensor or relay has genuinely failed. 

Will this affect my energy bill noticeably? 

A cooling fan uses relatively little power on its own, so the effect on your bill is minor even if it runs for extended periods, though a fan that's stuck running continuously for days at a time is still worth having looked at rather than left indefinitely. 

If the fan runs well beyond your model's normal cool-down time, Boreal can check the sensor and relay and get it cycling correctly again, backed by a 90-day warranty on parts and labour for every job we complete.