If your electric hob is acting up, you don’t have to panic. Most problems are caused by a few easy‑to‑spot issues that you can fix yourself in under an hour. Below we’ll walk through the usual culprits, safe DIY checks, and the signs that it’s time to call the experts.
First, figure out what’s wrong. The most frequent glitches are:
Knowing which symptom you have narrows down the parts you need to inspect. Grab a screwdriver, your multimeter, and a dry cloth – that’s all the gear most homeowners need.
1. Check the power supply. Open your breaker box and look for any tripped switches. Reset them and test the hob. If the breaker trips again, the fault is electrical and you should call a qualified electrician.
2. Inspect the element. Turn the hob off and unplug it. Remove the element caps – they usually snap off. Look for cracks, black spots, or broken wires. Use a multimeter set to resistance (ohms). A good element reads close to zero ohms; a faulty one shows infinite resistance. Replace it if needed.
3. Clean the contact points. Over time, food residue builds up on the underside of the element and the ceramic surface. Gently scrape away burnt bits with a plastic scraper, then wipe with a damp cloth. A clean contact improves heat transfer and can solve occasional heating loss.
4. Test the control board. If the hob’s display works but specific zones don’t, the board may have a bad relay. Look for burnt marks or a smoky smell. Swapping the suspect relay with a known good one (if you have a spare) can confirm the problem. Otherwise, it’s best to let a pro handle the board.
5. Reset the hob. Some models have a reset button hidden behind a small notch. Press it for a few seconds after you’ve finished your checks. This can clear error codes and reboot the system.
After each step, plug the hob back in and test the zone you worked on. If heat returns, great – you’ve saved a service call. If not, move on to the next check.
When to call a professional. Call a qualified repair service if you encounter any of the following:
At South Shields Appliance Repair Services we specialize in electric hob repairs. Our Gas Safe engineers are fully insured and can get your cooktop back in shape quickly and safely.
Bottom line: most electric hob hiccups are simple to identify and fix with a bit of patience and the right tools. Start with the power, move to the element, clean the contacts, and only then look at the control board. If you hit a wall, skip the guesswork and let a local pro handle it – it’ll save you time, hassle, and possibly a bigger repair bill later.
An electric hob can sometimes face issues that require a reset to restore its performance. Whether the touch controls are acting up or the heating elements aren't responding, learning how to reset your electric hob is crucial. This involves understanding safety measures, identifying specific problems, and following a simple step-by-step process to troubleshoot and resolve common hob problems. Get back to cooking with confidence by mastering the art of resetting your electric hob.