Electric Cooktop Fix: Common Issues, Quick Fixes, and When to Call a Pro

When your electric cooktop, a flat heating surface that uses electricity to cook food, commonly found in modern kitchens. Also known as electric hob, it’s one of the most used appliances in the home stops working, it’s not just inconvenient—it can throw off your whole day. Unlike gas stoves, electric cooktops don’t have open flames, so when they fail, the problem is usually electrical: a broken element, a faulty control board, or a tripped safety switch. Many people panic and assume they need a full replacement, but in most cases, a simple electric cooktop fix gets it back up and running.

One of the most common issues is a single burner not heating. Before you call a technician, check if the element is loose or damaged. Sometimes, the problem isn’t the cooktop at all—it’s the socket it plugs into. Try switching the faulty element with a working one from another burner. If the problem moves, you’ve found your culprit. Another frequent fix is resetting the cooktop. Most models have a hidden reset button behind the control panel or a circuit breaker on the wall. If your cooktop shows an error code like E1 or F3, it’s often a sensor or control board glitch, not a full system failure. The electric hob, a type of electric cooktop designed for kitchen countertops, often with touch controls and safety features is built to last, but its internal electronics can wear out faster than the heating elements themselves.

Don’t confuse a malfunctioning cooktop with a broken oven. While both are part of your range, they have separate circuits. If only the cooktop is dead and the oven still works, you’re likely dealing with a localized issue. The control board, the electronic brain of modern electric cooktops that manages power distribution and temperature settings is the most expensive part to replace, but it’s not always the first thing that fails. Many repairs cost less than $150 and take under an hour. If your cooktop is over 10 years old, though, you’ll want to weigh repair cost against the energy savings of a newer model. Newer units use less power and have better safety features like auto-shutoff and child locks.

You don’t need to be an electrician to try basic troubleshooting. Unplug the unit, wait five minutes, then plug it back in. Clean the surface thoroughly—food debris under the glass can interfere with sensors. Check your home’s circuit breaker. If none of that works, and you’re still getting no heat after 15 minutes of trying, it’s time to call a local expert. In Northampton, many appliance repair services offer same-day service for electric cooktop fixes because this is such a common issue. The good news? Most repairs are straightforward, affordable, and don’t require replacing the whole unit. What you’ll find below are real-world fixes from people who’ve been there, step-by-step guides for resetting your hob, signs your control board is failing, and when it’s smarter to walk away.