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Whirlpool range burner not working
Common reasons your Whirlpool range burner is not working
The most common reasons your Whirlpool range burner is not working are a bad switch, faulty igniter or a cracked ceramic glass top.
35% of the time it's the Surface Element Switch
17% of the time it's the Igniter
13% of the time it's the Ceramic Glass Cooktop
35% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool range
Surface Element Switch Replacement
A bad surface element switch may make turning the surface element on or off difficult, or a damaged switch shaft may feel loose or wobbly. The malfunctioning switch could cause uneven heating or prevent the element from reaching the desired temperature. In some cases, the surface element may not turn on at all, or it may continue to heat even after the control is turned off, posing a safety risk. If you suspect the switch on your range is bad, have a Sears Home Services professional inspect the switch for you.
Igniter Replacement
A faulty range igniter can prevent a burner from igniting, resulting in no heat from the bake or broil burner in the oven, or from a surface burner. A failed igniter could also cause difficulty in lighting the burner, requiring multiple attempts to achieve ignition. The igniter may emit a clicking sound without successfully lighting the gas, indicating a malfunction. In some cases, the igniter may not produce any visible spark at all. An igniter failure can lead to delayed ignition, causing a noticeable delay between turning the knob and the burner lighting.
Ceramic Glass Cooktop Replacement
A cracked ceramic glass cooktop on a range can significantly impact the performance of the radiant element, including the element’s ability to heat. The crack can compromise the integrity of the cooktop, leading to uneven heat distribution across the burner. This may result in hot spots or cold spots, affecting the uniformity of cooking. The cracked surface can also hinder the burner's ability to transfer heat efficiently, reducing its overall effectiveness. In addition, the crack poses a safety risk as it may expose electrical components beneath the cooktop. It is crucial to have a Sears Home Services professional address a cracked ceramic glass cooktop promptly.
Why won't my Whirlpool gas range burner light?
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.
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.
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
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.
Why is my Whirlpool stove burner 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 Whirlpool range burner not working issue
How is the burner not working problem fixed?
Correcting most burner not working problems usually involves replacing the surface element switch, igniter or ceramic glass cooktop. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a range burner that is not working
When the range 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 range failures; if you're in need of Whirlpool range repair, they can quickly determine the issue and make the necessary repairs.
What to look out for with a range burner not working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your range problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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So my observation is that most technicians have let loose screws at my home including Scott. In the future please do a final look around before leaving location of work other than that I am very satisfied with the job rendered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Range Resources
Don't let a non-heating gas oven ruin your day. Follow these simple troubleshooting steps to get it working.
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Is it time to replace your gas stove with an induction range? Discover the benefits of upgrading your kitchen appliances with Sears Home Services.
Glossary Terms
A drop-in range is a type of kitchen stove that is designed to be fitted into a pre-existing space in kitchen cabinetry, mounted on a platform, flanked by cabinetry, and often featuring a custom panel at the bottom.
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.