Why is my glass top electric stove burner not working?
Discovering your glass top electric stove burner isn’t working can be frustrating — but it doesn’t have to be. There are several reasons why a stovetop burner won’t turn on. While gas stoves have their own unique troubleshooting steps, we will discuss the glass top stove burner of an electric stove here.
Some of the most common indicators of a problem with your glass top stovetop burner include food not heating evenly, marks on the glass surface, one of the heating elements not working or, worse yet, none of them working.
The cause of the issues with your top range stovetop is likely electrical in nature. The issue can range from a problem with the plug to the surface element board or switch. Unless you are a trained electrician, it is wise to call a professional for repairs. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons your smooth top stovetop quits working.
Possible causes of glass top electric stove burner not working
It's frustrating to be ready to prepare a meal and discover that your burner isn't working. It may not be in your budget to pile everyone in the car to head to the nearest fast-food joint. Then again, a costly repair may not have been in the budget either. Your glass top burner has stopped working due to one of several potential causes.
The issue likely is one of the following:
- Electrical plug
- Circuit breaker
- Surface element board
- Surface element switch
Some of these items might be an easy fix. Others not so much, especially without the
background of an electrician or appliance repair person. Looking to solve the problem yourself? Drag out your owner’s manual. We'll cover troubleshooting each of the above issues in turn.
Electrical plug issue
The first and most apparent issue could be that the plug to the power supply has come loose. If a loose connection is the case, it’s most likely the entire stove top isn't working. Checking the plug likely requires pulling the glass top electric stove out from the wall. Be careful not to injure yourself. The stove will be heavy!
Once the stove is out of the way and the power cable is exposed, check the power cord and ensure it is tight in the wall. While the cable is exposed, look it over for wear (e.g., exposed wires), bent connectors or teeth marks. If the cable is worn or chewed and the wires inside are exposed, it is time to call for appliance repair (and maybe an exterminator).
Circuit breaker issue
Once you diagnose that the plug is nice and snug, and the cable doesn't show any signs of wear and tear, it could be that the circuit breaker was tripped. If you look behind the stove and don't find a plug, your stovetop is hardwired into your electrical system. Either way, the next step in troubleshooting your glass top electric stove burner not working is to head to your circuit breaker.
Once at the breaker box, check if the circuit breaker has been tripped. If so, check to see if the fuse has blown. If the fuse is blown, it will need to be replaced, and the breaker won't work until any blown fuses have been replaced. Once you turn the breaker back on, it's time to recheck your cooktop.
A note of caution here: You will want to look deeper into what might have caused the breaker to trip and turn off, as this could indicate a more significant electrical issue within your home. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, Intl. (ESFi), an estimated 51,000 home fires result from electrical systems each year. To fully protect your home and family, have any possible electrical issues repaired right away.
Surface element board issue
Once you know both the plug and the circuit breaker are OK, the next possible culprit of a nonworking stove is the surface element board. The surface element board is like the control panel for your cooktop. The surface element board may affect one or possibly more than one burner.
Cooktop burners have their power regulated from the surface element board. If the relays to the board fail, the burner surface of your electric range will stop working for that burner. Each burner has its own relay to the surface element board. If one burner fails, it may be the surface element board, or it could be another problem. If two burners fail, it's very likely the board has failed and will need to be replaced.
One of the easiest ways to determine if the issue is with the surface element board is to check the faulty burner using a multimeter. Check the relays from the surface element board to the burner in question. If the relay is getting continuity, then the board might be failing.
A multimeter is a tool used to test electricity. It will measure the ranges of values for voltage (volts), current (amps) and resistance (ohms). A multimeter can easily be purchased at your local hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes, for example).
The part may or may not be expensive, depending upon the brand of your stovetop. If you are not familiar with working with electricity, it may be time to call for a repair.
Surface element switch issue
The power for each burner comes from a surface element switch. The surface element coil receives voltage via the surface element control switch. It's possible to test the switch by switching two elements of the same size. If the new element doesn't work, the switch has likely failed.
This part is not repairable. If you determine that the switch is bad, the only choice is to purchase a new switch. The cost of the surface element switch varies. It depends on your stovetop's make and where the part is available for purchase.
Can you fix a glass top electric stove burner yourself?
The answer? It depends. If you have previous electrical experience or a family member who is an appliance repair person or electrician to consult for guidance, go for it. More often than not, however, this will not be the case.
Many people will watch DIY videos online to help them attempt to make repairs. This is fine if you're doing something simple such as replacing a toilet. However, working with the electrical components of a glass top electric stove burner is best to leave to the professionals.
To correctly diagnose your electric range, it is wise to call an electrician. An electrician knows what happens if the black and green wires get crossed or what to connect where. You want your problem fixed and fixed right so you will not have to worry that something else will go wrong with your glass cooktop. A professional electrician could also catch other potential issues you will likely miss trying to fix the stovetop yourself.
How much does it cost to repair a glass top electric stove burner?
According to HomeAdvisor, the cost of the parts to repair a glass top electric stove burner can vary widely depending on the part needed and where it is purchased. An oven heating element runs less than $50. If a surface element board or the glass top needs to be replaced, the parts for the repair could run upward of $600.
Then there's the additional labor cost charged by the repair person who comes to fix your cooktop. That oven heating element replacement with an inexpensive part can cost over $200, adding in repair technician labor. With a more expensive part, it's possible to be facing a repair bill of up to $1,000.
With a Cinch Home Services warranty plan, you make one call and Cinch does the rest. This potential $1,000 repair is taken care of without you needing to find an appropriate repair technician. Cinch will do that work for you.
Costly stove repairs are covered under the Cinch appliances warranty
With Cinch, the worries about possible expensive repairs are a thing of the past.
Cinch offers multiple warranty packages that include major appliances, built-in systems, and even most of the home in our most comprehensive package. Our Complete Home Plan includes not only all appliances in your home but also all built-in systems — think everything from the doorbell to the air conditioner.
This means costly repairs are no longer a worry or something that you have to hold a decent amount for in your budget. Cinch can help cover repair services on anything from your doorbell to your Whirlpool washer. That new air conditioner can run anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more in replacement costs (or more if you have multiple units), according to HomeAdvisor. Cinch is here to take that costly worry off your back.
Call today for a quote and let Cinch be your peace of mind.