Can Hobs Be Repaired? Complete Guide to Fixing Kitchen Hobs

If your kitchen hob breaks down right before dinner, it feels like the universe is out to get you. You're staring at a lifeless surface, flipping the switch back and forth, probably muttering a few choice words. Here’s something most people don’t realize: the majority of hobs—gas, electric, or induction—are designed with repairs in mind, not just replacements. Yep, the repair industry for kitchen hobs in the UK and worldwide is thriving, with a surprising number of fixes possible with the right know-how. Plus, you might save a serious chunk of cash compared to buying a brand-new model.

Types of Hobs and Common Problems

The world of kitchen hobs isn’t one-size-fits-all. You’ve got gas hobs, electric coil types, smooth electric ceramic hobs, and the ever-popular induction hobs. Each comes with its special quirks and problems. Gas hobs? The usual headaches are igniters refusing to spark, burner rings flickering, or a gas smell that sends everyone running. Electric and ceramic? You’ll see issues like heating elements dying, indicator lights stuck on, or weird clicking sounds. With induction hobs, if the electronics inside throw a tantrum, you might see random error codes or the unit just won’t power up.

Here’s a table showing common hob faults and the odds they can be repaired:

The most surprising part? A study by the Consumer Electronics Repair Association found that nearly 80% of hobs under five years old are fixed successfully rather than scrapped. That’s money saved and less waste for the planet.

“A lot of users panic at the first fault, but hobs are built tough. Most issues aren’t fatal,” says Mike Green, senior technician at RepairAll.

What Can Be Fixed and What Can’t

Let’s cut to the chase—can you repair every part of your hob? The answer’s no, but most common culprits are fair game for repairs. With gas hobs, the sparker and ignition button are usually the first things to go haywire. Replacing igniters is straightforward and parts are cheap, often under £20. Burner rings and caps? They’re almost always swappable. If you have a bit of DIY spirit and watch a few YouTube tutorials, you’ll be surprised how doable most jobs are.

Move to electric hobs, and the most common fault is a dead heating element. Manufacturers make sure these are replaceable because they wear out over time—think of it like tires on your car. A new element might cost between £25 and £50, and swapping it usually needs only a screwdriver and a steady hand. Indicator lights or switches, if stuck or not working, can be switched out in under an hour.

Induction hobs are trickier because of the fancy electronics inside. If the glass is intact, most faults trace back to circuit boards or fuses. Boards are pricier, sometimes up to £100, but often it’s just a £5 fuse that’s blown. If you get odd error codes, check the manual (you’d be amazed how many people never crack open the manual). Sometimes, unplugging for five minutes resets everything. But things like a smashed glass surface or flooded control panel? Those are usually game over unless you want to spend almost as much as a new unit.

One quirky thing: the glass top on ceramic and induction hobs can actually be replaced, but it's not cheap. If the rest of the appliance is perfect, and the glass is the only problem, a new glass surface can be fitted by a pro. Expect prices from £120 to £220 including labor—worth it on a high-end hob, not so much on budget models.

Where things get complicated is if your hob is really old (over 10 years), obscure, or parts are so rare you’ll spend weeks hunting on eBay. Modern brands like Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Beko, and AEG have fantastic spare part support. Less popular or discontinued models may be out of luck for repair, especially if the original parts are needed and no “universal” replacements fit.

DIY Tips for Troubleshooting Hobs

So, your hob’s on the fritz and you want to see if you can rescue it before calling in the cavalry? Here’s what I recommend. Turn everything off at the wall and let it cool (no one needs blistered hands for the sake of dinner). Gas hob won’t light? Lift off the burners and have a look for crumbs or grease blocking the ignition points. A toothbrush or needle can clear most gunked-up holes. If the igniter still won’t fire after cleaning, it’s likely dead and needs a cheap replacement.

Electric hobs can develop loose connections if pans are dragged across them. Remove the knobs and look for signs of burns or blackened wires. Tighten up anything that seems wobbly and check for blown fuses. If one ring’s not heating, but others are, you’ve almost definitely got a dead element. These can often be swapped out from below the worktop by removing a few screws. Just make sure everything’s unplugged and you keep track of which wire goes where (take a quick phone pic if you need to!).

Induction hobs are a little mysterious—those error codes can feel like hieroglyphics. Most manuals include a table with error messages: ‘E4’ might mean the pan detection isn’t working, or ‘E2’ could be too much residual heat. Unplug and re-plug is the classic IT fix, and yes, it works surprisingly often. If the glass is cracked but the unit still works, cover the sharp edge until you can get a pro in. Never use tape directly on the glass—use a non-slip mat instead. That glass can shatter further if it’s knocked about.

Here’s a handy checklist for a first-time hob tinker:

• Double-check the circuit breaker—sometimes it’s just tripped.
• For gas hobs, open a window before attempting anything, just to be safe.
• If there’s a persistent smell of gas, STOP. Call a professional immediately—never risk it.
• Always unplug electric/induction hobs at the wall before opening them up.
• Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen while you’re working on appliances.

One last tip—don’t be afraid of repair videos online. Just cross-check a few before starting; not all advice out there is worth following. The major appliance companies often put up official how-tos for basic fixes, so use the legit sources first.

When to Call the Professionals and What to Expect

There’s a point where DIY is no longer smart, and you risk making things worse or voiding warranties. If your hob’s issue involves gas leaks, scorch marks, weird smells, or flickering lights, time to call the pros. Gas Safe registered engineers should handle anything involving gas pipes or flames—UK law, no exceptions. For electric and induction types, official service engineers are usually better equipped, especially where high voltage capacitors or complex circuit boards are inside.

Wondering about costs? Most repair callouts for hobs start around £40-£65, with parts on top. Simple fixes—like igniters, knobs, or rings—usually keep the bill below £100. More involved repairs, such as control board swaps for induction hobs, can run between £120 and £250 depending on model and labor time. It’s a smart move to check whether your appliance is still under warranty; many hobs come with a 2- to 5-year manufacturer’s warranty that’s valid as long as you haven’t opened the unit yourself.

If you want fast service, many UK appliance repair firms can come out within 24 hours. This rapid pace is because hob faults are so common, and spare parts are easy for techs to get. Be ready to provide the model and serial number—it speeds up the process massively. Don’t forget to ask for a full quote before the work begins, and always get a written receipt detailing the work and fitted parts. This way, if the same thing fails again in a few weeks, you’re covered.

Some repair shops even offer refurbished hobs as a swap if your own one isn't worth saving—ideal if you're in a rush. The eco-impact here is important; throwing away a working hob because of a minor fault is wasteful. Repairing instead can save over 30kg of electronic waste each year per household, based on recent data from the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Still debating if fixing your hob is the way to go? If the unit is under 8-10 years old and the hob repair cost is less than 50% of a new one, most experts say give repair a shot. Modern appliances are expensive, and replacement isn’t always instant—think delivery waits and installation fees. If the repair comes with a decent warranty, you really have nothing to lose.