Electric Stove Problems – What’s Wrong and How to Fix It

If your electric stove isn’t heating the way it should, you’re not alone. Most homeowners run into the same hiccups: cold burners, flickering lights, or uneven cooking zones. The good news is many of these issues can be diagnosed in under ten minutes, and you often don’t need a pricey service call.

Common Issues You’ll See

First, check if the stove is actually getting power. A tripped breaker or a loose plug can make the whole unit look dead. If the lights work but the burners stay cold, the heating element is likely the culprit. Elements can burn out, crack, or become loose over time. Another frequent problem is an uneven heating surface – one part gets hot while the rest stays lukewarm. That usually points to a faulty sensor or a failing control board.

Some stoves have a safety reset button that trips when the unit overheats. If you notice a buzzing sound followed by a shutdown, the reset may have popped. Resetting it is easy, but if it trips again, there’s probably an internal fault that needs a professional eye.

Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify power. Open your breaker box and make sure the stove’s circuit hasn’t tripped. If it has, flip it back on and see if the stove lights up.

2. Reset the safety switch. Most electric stoves have a small button near the front or under the control panel. Press it firmly – you should hear a click and the stove may come back to life.

3. Inspect the heating element. When the stove is cool, look for visible cracks or burnt spots on the coil. If you spot any damage, replace the element. They’re usually a snap to swap – just disconnect the wires, pull out the old coil, and slide the new one in.

4. Test the element with a multimeter. If the element looks okay, set a multimeter to the ohms setting and touch the probes to the element’s terminals. A reading between 10‑30 Ω means it’s good. Anything outside that range signals a break inside the coil.

5. Check the control board and sensors. Flickering lights or erratic burner behavior often mean a bad thermostat or a failing board. These parts are more complex, and while you can unplug and reseat connectors, replacing them usually needs a qualified technician.

After you’ve run through these steps, turn the stove back on and test each burner. If everything heats evenly, you’ve saved yourself a call-out. If not, it’s time to bring in a pro – especially when the issue involves wiring or the main control board.

Regular maintenance can stop many problems before they start. Keep the stove clean, wipe up spills quickly, and give the knobs a gentle wiggle now and then to keep contacts from corroding. A quick visual check each month will catch loose wires or burnt debris early.

When you do need a professional, choose a service that specializes in electric appliances. Explain the symptoms you observed and the steps you already took – this helps the technician arrive prepared and can lower the labour cost.

Bottom line: most electric stove problems are simple power or element issues. A quick visual inspection, a reset, and a multimeter test will solve the majority. Keep a spare element on hand if you cook often, and you’ll keep your kitchen humming without breaking the bank.