Hob Reset Button: What It Is, When to Use It, and Common Mistakes

When your hob reset button, a safety feature on electric and induction hobs that cuts power during overheating or electrical faults. Also known as a cooker reset button, it’s designed to prevent fires and damage by shutting down the unit when something goes wrong. Many people press it without knowing why their hob stopped working—maybe the lights went off, the burners won’t heat, or the display flashed an error. But pressing the button blindly won’t fix the root problem. It’s not a magic switch. It’s a safety stop.

The induction hob, a modern cooking surface that uses electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly is especially sensitive to overheating. If you leave a pan on high for too long, or if grease builds up under the surface, the hob’s internal sensor triggers the reset. Same goes for electric hob, a traditional cooktop with coiled heating elements beneath a glass or ceramic surface. These aren’t broken just because they shut off. They’re protecting themselves. But if the reset button won’t stay pressed, or if it trips again after you reset it, something deeper is wrong—maybe a faulty thermostat, a damaged control board, or a short in the wiring. You can’t fix that by pushing a button harder.

Most users assume the reset button means a quick fix. But in reality, it’s a warning sign. If your hob resets once and works fine after, great. But if it’s happening often, you’re not dealing with a glitch—you’re dealing with a failing component. That’s where real repair comes in. Our technicians in Northampton see this all the time: people waiting too long, then panicking when the hob dies completely. By then, the cost to fix it often jumps from £80 to £300. A simple thermostat replacement? Easy. A burnt-out control board? That’s a whole new unit. And no, you don’t need to replace the whole hob just because the reset button tripped. But you do need to find out why it tripped in the first place.

Don’t ignore the reset button. Don’t just keep pressing it. Check for blocked vents under the hob. Make sure your pans are flat and the right size. Clean grease buildup from the edges. And if the problem comes back, call someone who’s seen it before. Below, you’ll find real repair guides, common failure points, and what to do when your hob won’t turn on—even after you’ve hit the reset button.