Electric Hob Not Working? Common Causes and Fixes

When your electric hob, a kitchen appliance that uses electrical current to generate heat for cooking. Also known as an electric cooktop, it suddenly stops heating, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a disruption to your whole day. Most of the time, the issue isn’t the whole unit failing. It’s usually one component giving out: the hob element, the heating coil or ceramic plate that gets hot when electricity passes through it, the power supply, the circuit or wiring that delivers electricity to the hob, or the control board, the electronic brain that tells the hob when and how much to heat. These parts are common failure points in electric hobs, especially in units over five years old.

If only one ring isn’t working, it’s almost always the element. You can test it by swapping it with another one of the same size—if the problem moves, you know it’s the element. No power at all? Check your circuit breaker first. A tripped breaker is the easiest fix. If the breaker’s fine but the hob’s still dead, the issue could be a faulty switch, a blown fuse inside the hob, or a damaged connection behind the control panel. And if the display is flickering or showing error codes, that points to the control board. Replacing a control board isn’t a DIY job for most people—it needs proper wiring knowledge and safety checks. But replacing a single element? With the right tools and a little patience, you can do it yourself in under an hour. Just make sure the power’s off before you start.

Many people assume a broken hob means buying a new one. But electric hobs are often repairable, especially if the rest of the unit is in good shape. A new element costs less than £30. A professional repair usually runs under £100. Compare that to a new hob, which can set you back £300 or more. If your hob’s under ten years old and the casing’s still solid, repair makes sense. Don’t rush to replace it—figure out what’s really wrong first. Below, you’ll find real repair stories, step-by-step checks, and cost breakdowns from people who’ve been in your shoes. No guesswork. Just clear answers to help you decide what to do next.