Broken Induction Hob? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Calling a Pro

When your induction hob, a modern cooking surface that uses electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. Also known as induction cooktop, it’s fast, efficient, and safer than gas or traditional electric hobs. suddenly stops working, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a disruption to your whole routine. Unlike old-school electric rings, induction hobs don’t glow or get hot on their own. They only heat up when you place a magnetic pan on them. That’s why a broken induction hob doesn’t always mean the whole unit is dead. More often, it’s a sensor, a fuse, a power board, or even just a simple reset issue.

Many people assume a broken induction hob needs a full replacement, but that’s not always true. The induction hob reset, a simple procedure to restart the control system after a glitch or overload. can fix 40% of common problems. You might see an error code like E1, E2, or E5—these aren’t random. Each one points to a specific issue: overheating, poor pan contact, or a faulty temperature sensor. And before you panic, check if your cookware is compatible. Cast iron and magnetic stainless steel work. Aluminum, glass, or copper won’t trigger the hob. If the pan doesn’t stick to the surface magnetically, the hob won’t turn on. That’s not a repair—it’s user error.

Then there’s the induction hob error code, a digital signal from the control board that tells you what’s wrong.. These codes are your best friend. They save time and money. A technician who knows what E3 means can fix it in 20 minutes. Without knowing the code, you might pay for a full panel replacement when all you needed was a new temperature probe. Most modern hobs have built-in diagnostics. You don’t need to guess. Just look up the code, or better yet, write it down and show it to a local pro.

And yes, age matters. If your hob is over 8 years old and the control board is failing, repair might still be worth it—unless the cost hits 60% of a new unit. We’ve seen older hobs last 15+ years with just one board swap. But if the glass is cracked, the coils are burnt, or the cooling fan is dead, replacement becomes the smarter move. It’s not about the brand. It’s about the cost, the energy use, and how often you cook.

You’ll find real fixes in the posts below—from how to reset your hob safely, to decoding error messages, to knowing when a DIY fix turns into a job for a certified technician. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually works for Northampton households dealing with broken induction hobs.