Induction Cooktop Problems and Solutions

Induction cooktops have been a revolution in home cooking for years. By combining the ecological and health benefits of an electric stove with faster cooking times commonly associated with gas stoves, they’ve improved the lives of countless home cooks.

Of course, even the most reliable appliances can still experience issues from time to time, and induction cooktops are no exception. If your induction stovetop isn’t working as it should, there are a few things you can investigate to pinpoint the issue.

We’ll explain some of the common induction cooktop problems to help you better diagnose the issue and get the right kind of help.

Heating Issues

The first and one of the most frustrating categories of induction cooktop issues is heating problems. A stovetop serves one function, so when it can’t perform that function, it’s important to get to the bottom of it fast.

Here are some of the most common causes of induction cooktop heating problems:

• Incompatible cookware: Induction stovetops use magnetic waves to rapidly heat your cookware to a specific temperature. Despite mostly being made of metal, not all cookware is magnetic enough to function on an induction stove. If your cookware is aluminum, copper, or ceramic, it may not function well, if at all, with your stove.
• Power cycling: This is a normal but often confusing operation that induction cooktops do. Essentially, when a particular internal temperature is reached, the cooktop automatically cuts power to the induction coils. The burner usually resumes function after two minutes. This typically happens when you run the burner on high for an extended period of time.
• Improperly positioned cookware: Because induction stovetops use magnetic coils to heat up your cookware, rather than direct heat, they are more particular about cookware placement than gas and standard electric stoves. If your cookware is too large or placed far off the center of the coil, it won’t heat up as quickly. A general rule of thumb is to place all cookware in the center of the burner and to use cookware that is the same size or slightly smaller than the size of the burner.
• Damaged burner: Like any cooktop, your burners can experience functionality issues as a result of standard wear. If you cannot seem to get it to function, contact an appliance repair professional to handle the repair.
• Locked cooktop: Most induction cooktops have a control lock setting that prevents the stove from being used while activated. If you turned it on by accident and can’t turn it off, consult your user’s manual or research your model online to see how to deactivate it. Usually, it can be turned off by holding the power button, a button with a key or lock symbol, or a button labeled “P” or “L.”

Unexpected Noises

Many of us know the stressful experience of hearing a new noise emanating from our cars while driving, but we tend not to expect that from a kitchen appliance. Much like a vehicle, though, an unexpected sound coming from your cooktop is rarely a sign of something good.

Here are a few common causes of a noisy induction cooktop:

• Fan issue: Induction cooktops contain fans that keep the rest of the components cool while the oven or burners are in use. If you notice that the fans are louder than usual, contact a professional appliance repair service to fix your cooktop. Leaving it alone can cause the fan to break, which could compromise the whole appliance.
• Vibrating Cooktop: A vibrating pot or pan is nothing to worry about, but if the whole cooktop shakes, that’s another story. Typically, this has to do with the glass cover being ineffectively fastened. Check the fastenings and make sure it’s sealed down tight. Even luxury brands can experience this issue.
• Uneven Surface: Cooktops, especially induction cooktops, need to be perfectly level to operate efficiently. If your cooktop isn’t fully level, it can rock your pots and pans around, causing the glass to chip.

Control Panel Issues

Control panel issues are among the more frustrating induction cooktop problems. Everything else about the cooktop may be mechanically sound, but if you can’t press the buttons, it won’t perform its primary function.

Here are some of the main control panel issues and how you can identify them:

• Circuit board issue: Electronics are very particular, and they can break unexpectedly. A circuit board problem requires a replacement from a professional. The best way to avoid frying your circuit board is to always turn off the heat before removing your cookware from the burner.
• Cooktop does not receive power: If nothing on your cooktop is working, it may be a power supply issue. If you’re lucky, resetting the circuit breaker will resolve the issue. Make sure to check both the plug and circuit breaker before calling in a professional.

Induction Cooktop Problem FAQs

What are the disadvantages of an induction cooktop?

Induction cooktops are mostly advantageous, especially for home cooks. However, they aren’t compatible with every piece of cookware and are particular about cookware position.

How many years do induction cooktops last?

Most induction cooktops should last for about 10,000 hours of use, which, unless you’re a personal chef or avid cook, translates to about 10 years.

Why is my induction cooktop not detecting the pan?

The most likely cause of a failure to detect a pan is that the pan isn’t made of magnetic material. If the pan is definitely made of metal, it may be too large for your burner or out of position.

Call Mr. Appliance^® for Help with Your Induction Cooktop

Dealing with any broken appliance is frustrating, and when it’s something as important as your cooktop, it can be downright debilitating. If your induction cooktop has an issue you can’t identify or fix, or you just don’t want to deal with it on your own, Mr. Appliance can help.

Our experienced service professionals have all the tools, knowledge, and access to parts needed to fix just about any problem with an induction cooktop. Schedule a service with Mr. Appliance today to get your cooktop back up and running quickly.