Common Induction Cooktop Issues and How to Resolve Them

The process of induction cooking is straightforward and productive. However, the ease you cherish regarding your induction hotplate is abruptly misplaced when something goes amiss with it. Furthermore, these sentient automatons are more involved than they initially appear to be.

This article will inspect some regular problems with induction hotplates, such as uneven heating and abrupt shutdowns. In addition, we’ll furnish the specifics necessary for a diagnosis as well as solutions like resetting and cookware compatibility checking.

Induction Cooktop: Everything There is to Know

Prior to delving further into the typical issues related to induction cooktops, it’s critical to comprehend the basic idea of electromagnetic, which underpins these contemporary cooking gadgets.

Standard stove tops are not the same as induction ranges. Instead, they prepare food using “electromagnetism,” a fascinating scientific phenomenon. Electric wire coils are tightly wrapped beneath the stove surface. The electromagnetic field above these coils is produced by electricity flowing through them.

And that’s it! Just place your pot—which needs to be composed of a magnetic material—on top. The food within the pot heats as a result of “eddy currents,” or electric currents created by the magnetic field. In this manner, heat is produced directly from the pot under the influence of the cooktop, not by the cooktop itself.

Induction Cooktop Not Heating Properly

Heating issues are the first and most annoying type of induction cooktop problems. When a cooktop fails to fulfill its intended purpose, it’s critical to find a solution as soon as possible.

The following are a few of the most typical reasons why induction cooktop heating issues occur:

Cookware that isn’t Compatible

Induction stovetops quickly heat your cookware to a precise temperature using magnetic waves. Not all cookware, though it is mostly composed of metal, is sufficiently magnetic to operate on an induction cooktop. Your cookware may not work well—if at all—with your stove if it is made of copper, aluminum, or ceramic materials.

Power Cycling

This is a common, yet frequently unclear, function of induction cooktops. In essence, the cooktop turns off the electricity to the induction coils automatically when a predetermined internal temperature is reached. Usually, the burner starts up again in two minutes. Usually, this occurs when you use the burner on high for a long time.

Cookware Positioned Incorrectly

Unlike gas and conventional electric stoves, induction stovetops are pickier about the location of their cookware since they heat it via magnetic coils rather than direct heat. Your cookware won’t heat up as quickly if it is positioned too far from the coil’s center or is too big. Generally speaking, cookware should be used that is either the same size as the burner or somewhat smaller than it, and all cookware should be positioned in the middle of the burner.

Damaged Burner

Due to normal wear and tear, just like any cooktop, your burners may develop functioning problems. Get in touch with professional technicians to take care of the repair if you are unable to get it to work.

Cooktop Lock

A control lock setting on the majority of induction cooktops keeps the stove from being used while it is activated. See your user manual or do some internet research on your model to find out how to deactivate it if you accidentally turned it on and are unable to turn it off.

Induction Making Noises While Cooking

While driving, many of us have had the unsettling sensation of hearing a strange noise coming from our cars; nevertheless, we rarely anticipate that from kitchen equipment. But much like with a car, a sudden noise coming from your stove is rarely a good thing.
A noisy induction cooktop can have the following common causes:

Noisy Fan

When the oven or burners are in use, fans built into induction cooktops keep the other parts cool. To get your stove fixed, get in touch with a reputable appliance repair business if you discover that the fans are louder than normal. Ignoring it might lead to the fan breaking, which would put the entire appliance at risk.

Cooktop Vibrating

While a vibrating pan or pot is not a cause for concern, a shaken stovetop is another matter. This usually means that the glass cover is not securely attached. Verify the fasteners to make sure it is securely fastened. This is a problem that even luxury brands can encounter.

Uneven Surface

For optimal performance, cooktops, particularly induction cooktops, must be precisely level. Your cooktop may not be level, which could cause your pots and pans to wobble and chip the glass.

Control Panel Problems

One of the more annoying concerns with induction cooktops is the control panel. Even when the cooktop has all the other components in good working order, it cannot fulfill its main purpose if you are unable to touch the buttons.

The following are some of the most common problems with the control panel and how to find them:

Circuit Board Problem

Electronics are extremely finicky and prone to unplanned failure. A circuit board malfunction necessitates a professional replacement. Always turn off the heat before taking your cookware off the burner to prevent scorching your circuit board.

Cooktop not Receiving Electricity

If your cooktop is not operating at all, there can be a problem with the power supply. Resetting the circuit breaker should, hopefully, fix the problem. It is advisable to examine the plug and circuit breaker prior to contacting a professional.

Induction Cooktop Has Scratches

On induction cooktops, scratches can lead to malfunctions, particularly if they are deeply embedded and cause the temperature sensor to flip. However, these are typically merely surface-level problems that are simple to resolve. Using a glass repair kit is among the best ways to handle a scratched cooktop. A little baking soda, water, and elbow grease will go a long way for smaller repairs.

Induction stoves use a glass-ceramic surface that is prone to scratches, just like electric glass top stoves. Use only cookware with smooth, flat bases to maintain the greatest possible appearance and functionality for your cooktop.

Flashing Lights on the Stovetops

Your induction cooker may be trying to remind you to turn it off if its control panel begins to flicker, or there could be a more serious problem at hand.

Cooktop Might be On

If you leave an induction stove on, a lot of intelligent models will alert you. When turned on, these appliances still use some electricity even though they don’t produce any heat unless a pan that fits on the burner is burning. Many models will start to blink to help you save money if they are kept idle for a predetermined amount of time.

Strong Shutdown Required

In more serious situations, a flickering control panel may indicate an internal appliance issue. An overloaded circuit or a malfunctioning computer chip could be the reason your appliance stops operating and starts blinking.

You will need to do a hard reset if this occurs and the device is unresponsive when you try to shut it down using the power button. This can be as simple as disconnecting portable devices and waiting a little while before plugging them back in.

You must turn off fixed or installed induction cooktops using the breaker panel in your house. Find the breaker in the power box that your stove is attached to, and turn it off. Turn it back on after at least thirty seconds of waiting.

Error Codes Showing Up

Your cooktop may display an error code if it detects a problem. These error codes could be comparable to E1, C1, F1, and so on. You must first find the error codes in your handbook and tackle the related problem in order to resolve this issue. Should the issue mentioned be addressed in this article, you might be able to do the stove repair yourself. If not, you ought to speak with an appliance professional.

Cooktop Repair Services Near Me

Any damaged equipment can be annoying to deal with, but when it’s as significant as your stove, it can be absolutely crippling. Appliance Medic can assist if there is a problem with your induction cooktop that you are unable to diagnose or resolve, or if you prefer not to handle it yourself.

With the right equipment, expertise, and parts availability, our service technicians can handle nearly any issue relating to an induction cooktop. Make an appointment for a service with Appliance Medic right now to have your stove operating again shortly.