An electric stove is one of those appliances you rely on without thinking about—until dinner prep comes to a screeching halt. When your burners stop working, it’s frustrating, but the good news is that many of the issues causing this can be diagnosed and fixed without calling in a professional right away.
Before you panic-order takeout, let’s go through the most common reasons electric stove burners stop heating and what you can do about it.
1. A Loose or Damaged Burner Coil
If you have a plug-in coil burner (the kind that lifts out of the stovetop), a loose or improperly connected coil can prevent it from heating. Over time, constant use can also wear down the metal, leading to cracks or other damage.
How to fix it:
- Turn off the stove and let everything cool completely.
- Remove the burner coil and inspect the prongs that connect to the stove. If they’re bent, corroded, or broken, you’ll need to replace the coil.
- If the coil looks fine, try reinserting it firmly and testing again.
2. A Faulty Burner Switch
Each burner has a switch that controls the power level. If one of your burners stays cold while others work just fine, a faulty switch could be the problem. This can happen due to electrical wear and tear over time.
How to fix it:
- First, confirm the burner coil itself isn’t the issue by swapping it with a working burner. If the swapped burner heats up, the original coil is bad. If the swapped burner doesn’t work either, the switch is likely the culprit.
- Replacing a burner switch involves some electrical work, so unless you’re comfortable working with wiring, it’s best to have a technician handle this repair.
3. A Worn-Out Infinite Switch
An infinite switch is what lets you control the temperature of each burner. If your burner stays on high no matter where you turn the dial—or doesn’t turn on at all—this switch may be failing.
How to fix it:
- Like with a faulty burner switch, you can test this by swapping burners.
- Replacing an infinite switch requires opening up the stove panel and rewiring components, so unless you’re experienced with appliance repairs, this is another job best left to a professional.
4. A Broken Receptacle Block
The receptacle block is the part underneath the burner that connects it to the stove’s power supply. If this gets worn out or damaged, your burner won’t receive power and won’t heat up. You may even notice blackened or melted spots on the block, which is a clear sign of electrical damage.
How to fix it:
- Turn off the power to the stove (either unplug it or flip the circuit breaker).
- Remove the burner and inspect the receptacle. If it looks burnt or damaged, it will need to be replaced.
- If you’re comfortable with electrical work, you can replace it yourself with a repair kit. Otherwise, call in a technician.
5. A Blown Fuse or Tripped Breaker
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the stove at all—it’s the electrical system in your home. If none of the burners are heating up, a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker could be the culprit.
How to fix it:
- Check your home’s breaker panel and reset any tripped breakers.
- If your stove has a built-in fuse box, consult your manual and check for a blown fuse. If needed, replace it with a fuse of the same rating.
Leave it Stove Professionals
If you’ve ruled out loose connections, swapped burners, and checked your circuit breaker but still can’t get your stove working, it’s time to contact TC Appliance Repair. Some repairs, especially those involving internal wiring or control boards, require specialized knowledge and tools. Attempting these fixes on your own can lead to more damage—or worse, an electrical hazard.
Call 777-737-8214 to request a quote or schedule an appointment. We’ll get you back to cooking in no time!
