- Plug-in power meter
- Replacement top burner (where applicable)
- Other replacement component e.g. infinite switch (where applicable)
- New electric cooktop (when repair is impossible)
- Electrical safety gloves
Welcome to the corner of the internet people find when a burner on their electric stove top stops working.
You’re in the right place, because we’re going to tell you how to diagnose and repair your electric stove top burner, from simple fixes like replacing a burner coil element to more complex cases that require professional attention, such as repairing wiring issues and faulty control switches.
Our step-by-step guidance is based on interviews with three experienced electricians, who will tell you how to deal with your electric stove top burner problem – whether that means fixing it yourself or calling in a pro.
Electric stove top burners are alternatively known as cooktop burners, cooking rings or cooking burners. They are the circular, electrically heated elements that warm your food on the cooktop, more effectively than a gas burner in some folks’ opinion.
Models vary in their design and requirements, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidance, and consult an electrical engineer or technician when you need to.
Remember to keep your electric stove top clean, as many problems are the result of dirt or grease build-up.
Forrest Webber is a former electrician. He now owns The Trade Table, an online home improvement store that sells power, HVAC, plumbing and kitchen appliances and components, including gas, induction and electric cooktops.
How to repair an electric stove top burner: quick steps
- Diagnose the problem
- Get help if you need it
- Safety precautions
- Fix the problem
- Test the repaired burner
How to repair an electric stove top burner: Step by step guide
Disclaimer
*Repairing an electric stove top burner can be dangerous. Before you start, safely turn off all relevant electricity supplies from your consumer unit or other utility source, and ensure the stove is cool. Watch out for sharp-edged components.*
1. Diagnose the problem
Your first step is to clearly define the problem with your electric stove top burner.
“The top problems electric stove top burners have are burners not heating, burners not heating evenly, and burners not turning off,” says The Trade Table’s Forrest Webber.
Sometimes, when a burner will not turn on, the problem simply relates to the power supply.
“Make sure the appliance is plugged into the wall; these plugs can sometimes come loose and fall out of the power receptacle,” says Webber.
“If it’s plugged in securely, the receptacle itself could be broken and need replacement. Oftentimes it will be a switch that needs to be replaced.”
To ensure the receptacle is working, plug in another appliance and see whether it turns on.
Other issues tend to be a little harder to diagnose. If the burner is heating unevenly, that often means its element needs to be replaced (as is the case with the corroded elements shown in the photo above). And if it won’t turn off, this potentially points to a problem with its controls or circuitry.
“It’s also a good idea to watch for sparks underneath the cooktop, or indicator lights not working,” says Frontdoor’s Zak Sixtos.
“These immediate concerns can be caused by damaged or broken coils, a defective control switch, or even a buildup of grease or food.”
Frontdoor is an all-in-one app service for advice on homecare and maintenance. It employs a wide range of subject matter experts across HVAC, plumbing, appliance care and electrics, including Zak Sixtos, who specializes in home appliances.
2. Get help if you need it
If the problem with your electric stove burner is not easy to diagnose, try contacting the manufacturer’s customer service so that they can provide guidance on the correct solution. If the product is under warranty, the company might be able to fix it free of charge.
You may need to order a replacement component from the manufacturer or an approved retailer. Or, if your stove top has generic coil top burners, you might be able to buy a suitably-sized third-party replacement (like this 8-inch model, which costs $13.99 at Amazon).
Even if you’ve correctly identified what’s wrong with your appliance, there are many cases where you’ll need to hire a professional electrician or technician to fix it.
“Before attempting any repairs, you should know if you’re actually capable of doing them,” says Webber.
“Just because you watched a YouTube video doesn’t mean you can do it successfully, especially when working with electricity and heat! If you aren't experienced, call someone who is.”
3. Safety precautions
“If you have the right experience and you know how to fix your electric stove top heater, you should first turn off the power at the circuit breaker,” says Webber.
“After turning off the power, test it with a meter to make sure it’s receiving no power,” he says.”
Having a power meter (like this model, $12.99 at Amazon) at home is essential if you’re going to do any minor electrical work. The device could also be useful for measuring how much power your appliances consume.
“Call a professional if you notice any odd smells or exposed wiring, or if your fixes aren’t working, because you could end up doing more harm than good,” Webber adds.
Justin Cornforth is the owner of Ace Home Co., a provider of plumbing, HVAC and electrical services based in the Greater Greenville area, South Carolina. Founded in 2017, Ace Home Co. is a proudly family-run and family-owned business.
4. Fix the problem
Various things that can go wrong with an electric stove top burner, and there’s a specific solution for each one. In many cases, the repair will be a job for a professional.
“If the burner does not heat up, most likely the problem is in the burner itself and it needs to be replaced,” says Ace Home Co.’s Justin Cornforth.
“To check that, unplug the bad burner and plug in another of the same size. If the new one works, your old burner was the problem.”
This is easier to do if your cooktop has simple coil top elements. Other types, especially glass elements, are more challenging to replace.
Some issues are more difficult (and dangerous) to fix independently.
“It could be a broken infinite switch causing constant high heat. Or if the burner heats up unevenly, then the problem is in a loose connection, damaged coil, or control switch issue,” says Cornforth.
“Glass and ceramic burners can stop heating or start to heat unevenly, and the reasons might be faulty heating elements, a bad connection, or issues with your stove’s control board,” he adds.
5. Test the repaired burner
Before you bring your fixed electric stove top burner fully back into use, it’s important to verify that it is working as it should.
“Don’t simply check whether the burner is heating up; put a pot of water on it and time it to see how long it takes to boil,” says Cornforth.
“If it’s slower than usual, the problem isn’t 100% solved.
“And if you have glass tops, put a pot on the burner and drip a few drops of water. If the drops fly apart right away, your burner is working fine. If they pool or move slowly, the heat output is still weak.”
Webber notes that you should keep a close eye on the burner for a few weeks after making the repair.
“Sometimes, fixing one thing can lead to problems with another part of the stove,” he says.
How to repair an electric stove top burner: FAQs
Are all electric stoves equally repairable?
Because electric stove models vary in their design, components and how they are assembled, the repair process will differ from one model to another.
“Some are easier to repair than others, but the main thing is local companies are better at repairing popular brands,” says Webber.
“The more generic brands that most homes have, like GE, are more likely to have someone local who can actually repair them. Meanwhile, a more high-class but obscure brand such as ILVE will have fewer people, if any, who have ever repaired one before.”
Is repairing an electric stove top burner a suitable task for DIYers?
Some electric stove top burner problems (and some burner models) are easier to fix than others. Consulting your product’s manual should help you assess the complexity of a repair. If you don’t have a printed manual for your cooktop, try searching for it at ManualLib, which has a vast online archive of digitized appliance user manuals.
Confident DIYers who are knowledgeable about electrics might be capable of certain cooktop repairs, such as rewiring a plug or replacing a burner element. Before undertaking any work of this kind, it’s critically important to shut off any relevant power supplies and ensure the stove is cool and switched off.
For more complicated repairs such as replacing a broken infinite switch, it’s usually best to call in a professional.
“I’d say that trying to DIY anything (maybe aside from switching coil burners) is not the best decision to make,” says Cornforth.
“The problem might be an internal wiring issue, if multiple burners stop working at once. Your breaker might be failing, if resetting only temporarily fixes the problem. Or it could even be a short circuit, especially if you hear a faint buzzing or clicking. In all of these cases you won’t be able to do a DIY repair.”
Sixtos also recommends getting expert assistance to fix your electric stove top burner in most cases.
“Common electric stove issues can be easily repaired by a licensed appliance repair technician,” he says.
“Speak to an appliance expert to discuss your current issue and gauge whether it is a fix that you might be able to handle yourself with their guidance, or if you need to call in a professional.”
Final thoughts
It’s always great to repair a broken appliance if possible, but there will come a time when it makes more sense to replace your electric cooktop, rather than repeatedly fix it. These hard-wearing appliances typically last around 13-15 years, after which time you should consider buying a replacement.
