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  1. Repair

Cooktop burner not working

Common reasons your cooktop burner not working

The most common reasons your cooktop burner is not working are a cracked igniter switch, broken igniter or a cracked main top.

  • 58%

    58% of the time it's the
    Igniter Switch

  • 16%

    16% of the time it's the
    Igniter

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Main Top

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Schedule your cooktop repair now!

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    Common cooktop repair parts you may need

    Replacing one of these cooktop parts may fix your problem.

    Igniter Switch Replacement

    Commonly, a defective infinite switch can lead to a malfunctioning cooktop burner. Responsible for regulating the current to the element, a faulty infinite switch disrupts the flow of electricity, rendering the burner inoperative. Detecting such issues can be challenging. Seek assistance from a Sears Home Services Technician to inspect your cooktop and replace the defective infinite switch if necessary. During the repair, the technician will also assess potential damage to wiring or the element that could be attributable to the faulty switch.


    How to replace an igniter switch on a gas cooktop

    Igniter Replacement

    When your burner fails to light, it may be due to a faulty igniter preventing the spark needed for ignition. Restore the functionality of your cooktop burner by replacing the defective igniter. Our Sears Home Services experts can easily replace the igniter, even in gas cooktops where access is challenging. Don't let a broken igniter disrupt your cooking experience – schedule a service appointment today.

    Main Top Replacement

    If the top of your stove has a crack, spills can get into the wires and parts that make it heat up. This can make the stove stop working. Sometimes, the breaker in your house might trip because of this problem. Also, if there's a problem with one of the stove's burners, it could break the switch that turns it on. Even if you replace the broken part, the burner might not work. Make sure to have a Sears Home Services Technician examine your entire cooktop when they fix the cracked main top. They can find any other problems it might have due to the cracked top.

    How do I fix a gas burner not working?

    When a gas burner isn’t working, a failed igniter switch or bad igniter electrode could be causing the failure.

    Follow these troubleshooting tips when you have a gas burner not working.

    cleaning-a-burner-on-a-gas-cooktop-image

    Clean the surface burner

    Food spills on the surface burner head can prevent the electrode from igniting the burner.

    With the burner cool to the touch, clean the igniter electrode and burner head to make sure the ignition port is clear so the surface burner lights properly.

    Here’s a video that shows how to clean gas burners including the ignition port on the burner heads:

    Cleaning the burner head and especially the ignition port on that burner head may fix the burner ignition failure.

    gas-burner-igniter-electrode-part-image

    Examine the burner igniter electrode

    Check the burner igniter electrode for cracks or damage. If the electrode doesn’t spark after cleaning the electrode and burner head, you’ll likely need to replace the igniter electrode.

    Follow the steps in this illustrated repair guide to replace the igniter electrode:

    How to replace a range spark igniter electrode

    gas-burner-ignition-switch-assembly-image

    Check the burner ignition switch

    When you don’t hear the ticking of the spark igniter as you turn a burner control knob to the “Lite” position, a bad burner ignition switch could be causing the problem.

    The burner switch sends electrical current to the spark ignition module which then sends current to the igniter electrode to spark and light the burner.

    On many ranges, the replacement ignition switches and their wire harness that connects to the spark ignition module are all one complete part assembly and you can’t buy a burner switch separately. Check the parts list diagram for your range to determine whether you can replace a single burner ignition switch or the burner switches are only available as a complete assembly.

    If the replacement part is only available as a complete burner ignition switch assembly, then you’ll need to unplug the range, shut off the gas supply and replace that part when a single switch won’t ignite a burner.

    Replacing a gas stove burner ignition switch assembly is a fairly complicated repair to complete on your own. If you are considering tackling this repair yourself, review this illustrated procedure to determine whether you think you can complete the repair on your own:

    How to replace a range spark igniter switch

    Only attempt this repair if you’re completely confident that you can safely complete the repair on your own. Unplug the stove and shut off the gas supply before attempting the repair on your own.

    If you’re not completely confident that you can complete this repair on your own, schedule appliance repair and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the burner ignition failure.

    radiant-surface-element-troubleshooting-image

    Why is the burner on my glass cooktop not working?

    To find and fix the cause of an electric surface element not working on your cooktop or range, follow the troubleshooting steps in this helpful and safe DIY repair video:

    This video will walk you through tests for the infinite burner control switch, surface radiant element and wiring so you can determine why the burner isn’t working and fix the problem.

    If you’re unable to find and fix the cause of the surface element failure on your own, schedule repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the problem.

    What to expect when you experience a cooktop burner not working issue

    How do you fix a cooktop burner not working problem?

    Typically, resolving issues with cooktop burners not functioning involves replacing either the igniter switch, igniter, or main top. Yet, as various factors can contribute to the problem, a comprehensive assessment is vital for effective resolution. An exact diagnosis is crucial for determining the extent of repairs needed and the associated costs.

    Sears Home Services expert tips for a cooktop burner that is not working

    When the cooktop burner is not working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of cooktop failures.

    How to accurately diagnose and fix a cooktop burner not working

    Identifying issues with modern appliances can be challenging without the right knowledge and training. Simply swapping out parts without employing proper diagnostic methods may not effectively resolve your cooktop problem. Over the past decade, appliances have become significantly more advanced, with many models incorporating electronic components that are complex to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming progressively harder to accomplish.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    fixed my oven within minutes!

    i had previously had a technician out 3 times in the past 1 1/2 years, who was chosen by my home warranty company. The oven never worked, it was always a temporary fix. Shareef listened to the issues i was having and what i thought was the problem and fixed it within minutes! The oven works perfectly now, it does not turn on and off any longer and all 4 burners are hot. He was personable, efficient, and a true professional.


    Julie B, Mt Pleasant, SC

    He tried

    Sometimes things don't work out as planned. Tim tried to fix my oven. Previous guy misdiagnosed the problem. So i am still without. Tim tried and communicated with me about the issues.


    Diane U, Royal Oak, MI

    Excellent Service, prompt and curious!

    Excellent Service, Friendly and courteous! Prompt and eager to fix the stove!


    Mike Barrett, Duluth, MN

    Repair Range Resources

    Title image for blog article "10 Common Reasons Why Your Gas Stove Is Not Working".
    11 min readJan. 17

    Having trouble with your gas stove? Discover 10 common reasons why it may not be working properly and get expert troubleshooting advice to fix common gas stove failures.

    Title image for blog article "How Do Gas Stoves Work?"
    8 min readNov. 25

    Learn how gas stoves work and how to safely use the cooktop and oven.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Pressure Regulator Work?"
    6 min readNov. 13

    Learn how a pressure regulator works on a gas range.

    Title image for blog article "How Does an Electric Range Work?"
    7 min readNov. 13

    Learn how an electric range works and how to troubleshoot common problems.

    Glossary Terms

    A dual fuel range combines the precision of an electric oven with the responsiveness of a gas cooktop, offering the best of both worlds for cooking enthusiasts.

    BTU, or British Thermal Unit, measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

    A thermocouple is a sensor used for measuring temperature, consisting of two different metal wires joined at one end, which generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes.

    A K-type thermocouple is a sensor used for temperature measurement, consisting of two dissimilar metal wires that generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes, widely recognized for its accuracy and wide temperature range.

    Common cooktop symptoms to look out for

    • Cooktop not turning on
    • Cooktop not working