How to Fix a Stove Burner

When one of your cooktop or kitchen stove burners doesn’t work, you may be tempted to pick up the phone and call in professional help for repairs. But before you write that repair check, make sure it’s not a problem that you can fix yourself. 

Safety tip: Before working on any stove or cooktop, always unplug the appliance or disconnect power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Don’t attempt any repair that you’re not completely comfortable with, and call a qualified repair professional if in doubt.  Check the circuit breaker or fuse box if needed. For a gas stove, check the gas valve to make sure that it is open.

How to fix an electric stove burner

Tools you might need

Before you dive into fixing your electric stove burner, gather these essential tools:

• Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
• Multimeter (for checking electrical connections)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Replacement burner coil (if needed)
• Replacement burner block or socket (if needed)
• Manufacturer’s manual or diagrams

Safety tip: Make sure your tools have insulated handles to protect against accidental contact with live wires.

• Check the burner coil. 

If an electric burner isn’t heating at all, a burner coil may be the problem. First, see if the coil is loose. When the burner coil is completely cool, reconnect it firmly into the burner socket. If that doesn’t work, pull the coil out from the socket and exchange it with another from the stove that you know for sure is working.  Turn the burner back on, and if it works, then you need a new burner coil. If it still appears that the stove burner is not working, you haven’t found the problem.

• Inspect the prongs.

If the prongs on the burner coil look burned, inspect the socket.  If the socket looks burned, too, it may need to be replaced. You can replace a bad burner block by disconnecting the terminal wires with a screwdriver and screwing in an oven burner replacement.  See your unit’s manufacturer’s instructions for diagrams and additional instructions.

• Check for a faulty ignition switch.

If you can’t control the heat level on a coil, you may have a faulty ignition switch that needs replacing. Switches cannot be repaired.

• Choose a pan that fits the diameter of the cooking element.

If you have a flat (sometimes known as glass or ceramic) cooktop, and food isn’t heating evenly, you may have the wrong size pan for the element. 

• Your element could be on its off-cycle.

If you don’t see the element on a flat cooktop light up during cooking, it just may be on its off cycle to maintain the maximum preset temperature. Wait a moment and see if it lights up.

How to fix a gas stove burner

Tools You Might Need

When troubleshooting your gas stove burner, these tools will come in handy:

• Stiff brush (for cleaning burner holes)
• Toothpick or needle (for clearing small clogs)
• Flashlight (for inspecting the igniter and wires)
• Butane fireplace lighter (for testing the gas line)
• Screwdriver (for accessing components if necessary)
• Replacement igniter (if needed)

Safety tip: Make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated while working to avoid the buildup of gas fumes.  If you smell gas at any point, stop what you're doing and immediately ventilate the area. If the smell persists, contact a professional. Be cautious not to create any sparks near the gas lines to prevent accidental ignition. 

• Clean your burner holes.

If the burners won’t light, you may need to clean the burner holes, which can get clogged with grease and cooking debris.  Make sure the power is off and the elements are cooled, then clean the igniter at the base of the burner and the burner holes with a stiff brush, and clear the burner hole by inserting a toothpick or needle.

• Check the igniter.

Determine if you have an electronic ignition system or a pilot light or an open burner. If your range clicks when the burner lights, it’s probably an electronic ignition system, which is most common today. To check the igniter, take the cooled burner grates off the stove. One at a time, turn on each burner knob to see if you hear a click. If you didn’t hear a click, the igniter probably isn’t working. Using a flashlight if needed, check the small wires between the igniter and the controls to the burner compartment. If you see a detached wire, push the wire back in. If the wires are attached and it still seems that the stove burner is not working, the igniter may need replacing.

• Check the gas line.

To check for problems with the gas line, turn on a burner knob halfway, and hold the flame of a butane fireplace lighter near the burner. (Take precautions and keep your head and any loose clothing away from the burner as a flame will rise if the burner lights.) If the lighter doesn’t ignite the gas, you may need to call in a service professional to check and see if the gas line is working properly.

Additional troubleshooting tips

• Pay attention to the sparks from the igniter. They should be white with a blue tent. If you see yellow or orange sparks, the igniter elements may be defective and you may need to replace the igniter. 

• If your unit has pilot lights and a burner won’t turn on, you may need to relight it. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions or call the gas company or a service technician.

•  If your unit has a pilot light that won’t remain lit, see if the pilot port is clogged. If it is, you can use a small wire to clean the port.

• If you continue to have pilot light problems, check to see if drafts are causing the pilot light to go out. If so, determine the source of the drafts, such as a fan, an open window, or an HVAC register.  Take steps to correct or  to redirect the drafts.

•  If you have a glass, ceramic, or enamel cooktop and you chip an element, you can find a stovetopstove top repair kit at your local hardware or home store. 

Tips for stove burner maintenance

To keep your stove or cooktop in tiptop shape, be sure to operate it correctly and maintain it properly. Clean food spills and debris as soon as the burners and surface have cooled. Vinegar is effective for cleaning mineral deposits on electric heating elements. 

To avoid damaging the burners and heating elements, use appropriately sized pots and pans for the burner size, and avoid using extra-large or heaving cooking vessels. Don’t forget about the range hood.  Be sure to clean or change the exhaust filters regularly to keep the hood working properly and for fire safety.

Burner bothers? Don’t worry, be warranty.

Let’s face it— your range and cooktops work hard for you day-to-day, and sometimes that hard work leads to a breakdown or issue that even the most determined DIYer can’t fix. That’s when American Home Shield® comes to the rescue, offering you coverage for up to 23 of your home systems and appliances, including your stovetop burners. 

You do a lot to keep your home running, but some jobs are too big to handle alone. With American Home Shield, the state of your major appliances becomes one less worry on your list. When something goes wrong, your home warranty is there to support you, allowing you to focus on making memories, not repairs.

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.