Appliance Repair Tips: How to Troubleshoot an Electric Stove Burner That Refuses to Get Hot

Turning on your electric stove burner and discovering its failure to heat can turn your lovely evening into a stressful night. However, before you call in a professional appliance repair technician or begin your search for a new stove, you may want to try to fix the issue yourself. To help you troubleshoot the problem, we’ve provide 3 typical malfunctions that often hinder a burner’s ability to heat up.

Electric Burner Malfunctions

1. A common explanation behind a non-heating burner is often the burner element. You can either eliminate or confirm a replacement burner is needed by simply switching the element with one that works. Before you attempt this solution, unplug your stove from the wall to ensure you do not accidentally electrocute yourself. Once the stove is no longer active, remove the problem burner and install a functional one. Next, plug the stove back in and test the replaced element. If it does heat up, purchasing a new burner element will solve your stove top issue. On the other hand, if the functional burner stops working, your problem lies elsewhere.

2. After you determine the element isn’t the problem, the burner socket is your next culprit. The first sign to look for is charred prongs on the end of your burner element. If there are burn marks present, your next step is to examine the inside of the socket. Remember, your stove should be unplugged as you work to diagnose the issue. If the socket has burnt out, the inside of it should appear scorched. Replacing the socket is the only way to repair the burner.

3. If the element and the burner socket are not the reason for your heating malfunction, the next possible answer is a defective infinite switch. The knob you use to regulate your burner’s temperature is connected to the infinite switch. Unfortunately, when your burner refuses to turn on there is a high possibility that the infinite switch has burned out. Repairing the switch is a bit more complicated than the previous fixes and will most likely call for a professional appliance repair technician.

If you’re electric stove top is malfunctioning, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you.