Broken Electric Hob? How to Diagnose and Fix It Fast

If your electric hob won’t heat, sparks, or shows odd error codes, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face a dead or flickering hob and think the whole kitchen is ruined. The good news is that a lot of the trouble can be spotted and solved without pulling out a toolbox full of parts. Below we walk through the most common reasons a hob fails and give you a practical step‑by‑step checklist. If the fixes don’t work, we’ll tell you exactly when to call Glastonbury Appliance Repair Services so you don’t waste time or money.

Common Reasons Your Hob Stops Heating

First, understand what usually goes wrong. The most frequent culprits are:

• Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Electric hobs draw a lot of power, so a sudden surge can trip the breaker.
• Faulty heating element. The coil or ceramic plate may have burned out after years of use.
• Loose or damaged power cord. If the cord is pinched behind a cabinet, it can lose contact.
• Control board failure. Modern hobs have electronic panels that can develop bad solder joints.
• Thermal sensor issues. Sensors protect the hob from overheating; a stuck sensor tells the unit to stay off.

Knowing which of these matches your symptoms helps you skip unnecessary steps.

Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Check the breaker. Go to your consumer unit and look for any tripped switches. Flip the suspect breaker off and on again. If it trips a second time, you probably have an electrical fault and should call a qualified electrician.

2. Test the power outlet. Plug a lamp or hair dryer into the same socket. If it works, the outlet is fine. If not, reset the GFCI or replace the socket.

3. Inspect the hob’s cord. Pull the hob out slightly (make sure it’s unplugged first) and look for cuts, frays, or bends. A damaged cord needs replacement – that’s a job for a professional.

4. Feel the heating elements. Turn on each zone for a few seconds. If one zone stays cold while the others heat, that element is likely dead. Swapping the element with a working zone (if your model allows) can confirm the fault.

5. Reset the control board. Some hobs have a reset button hidden behind the front panel. Press it for 10 seconds, then try again. A soft click and a brief glow usually means the board is alive.

6. Look for error codes. Many newer hobs display codes like “E01” or “F2”. Check the user manual for the meaning – often it points to a sensor or board issue.

If you’ve gone through these steps and the hob still won’t heat, it’s time to call the experts.

At Glastonbury Appliance Repair Services we specialize in electric hob repairs. Our technicians can test the element, replace a faulty board, or fix a sensor problem in under an hour. Because we work locally, we can be at your door the same day you call, and we offer a clear price before we start.

Don’t let a broken hob ruin your dinner plans. Try the quick checks above, and if anything feels beyond your comfort level, give us a ring. We’ll get your hob back to full power so you can finish that stir‑fry without a hitch.