Faulty Heater Element? What to Do When Your Appliance Stops Heating

If your electric hob, oven, or water heater suddenly stops heating, the culprit is often a faulty heater element. It’s frustrating, but you don’t have to panic. In most cases the problem is easy to spot and fix, or at least you’ll know when to call a professional.

Why Heater Elements Fail

Heater elements are basically metal coils that get hot when electricity flows through them. Over time they can develop cracks, burn out, or get coated with mineral deposits. A few common reasons include:

• Age and wear: Just like any part, elements lose strength after years of heating cycles.
• Power surges: A sudden spike can fry the coil instantly.
• Water or food spills: Moisture can cause short‑circuits, especially in ovens and water heaters.
• Improper installation: Loose connections or the wrong voltage can overheat the element.

When an element fails, you’ll notice symptoms like no heat, uneven heating, a burning smell, or a faint clicking sound when you turn the appliance on.

How to Fix a Faulty Heater Element

Before you grab a wrench, always unplug the appliance and let it cool down. Safety first!

1. Diagnose the problem – Use a multimeter set to continuity mode. Touch the probes to the element’s terminals; a steady beep means the coil is intact. No beep? The element is likely broken.

2. Order the right replacement – Look for the model number on the old element or in the user manual. Matching wattage and voltage is crucial; using the wrong part can cause another failure.

3. Remove the old element – Usually it’s screwed in place with two bolts. Unscrew them, pull the element out, and disconnect any wiring brackets.

4. Install the new element – Position it exactly as the old one sat, reconnect the wires, and tighten the bolts. Double‑check that no wires are pinched.

5. Test it out – Plug the appliance back in and run a short heating cycle. If it heats properly, you’ve saved a repair bill.

Sometimes the issue isn’t the element itself but the thermostat or control board. If the new element doesn’t heat, you may need a professional to check those components.

Regular maintenance can keep elements from failing early. Keep the area around your hob clean, wipe up spills on ovens quickly, and flush water heaters annually to reduce mineral buildup.

When in doubt, calling a certified appliance repair service like Wells Appliance Repairs can save you time. Our technicians can test the element, replace it safely, and give you tips to extend the life of your appliances.

Bottom line: a faulty heater element is a common, fixable problem. With a few tools and a bit of patience, you can get your kitchen or bathroom back to normal without breaking the bank.