The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Stove heating element not working are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.
Most Frequent Causes for Stove Heating Element Not Working
| Cause 1 Surface Element Switch | Cause 2 Surface Element Board | Cause 3 Coil Surface Element |
| The surface element switch sends voltage to the surface element coil. If the switch is defective, the surface element will not work. If there is another element of the same size on the stove, try switching the elements. If the surface element still doesn’t work, the surface element switch is likely defective. The surface element switch cannot be tested or repaired—if you suspect the switch is defective, replace it. | The surface element board has relays that regulate the power supply to the burners. If one or more of the relays fails, the surface element won’t work. If two or more burners fail at the same time, this indicates that the surface element board is likely at fault. If only one surface element won’t work, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the surface element has continuity, the surface element board might be defective. | First, make sure that the element is pushed all the way into the socket. Second, inspect the surface element for damage. If the element appears to be damaged, replace it. Lastly, use a multimeter to test the surface element for continuity. If the surface element does not have continuity, replace it. |
| Cause 4 Radiant Surface Element | Cause 5 Solid Surface Element | Cause 6 Element Receptacle and Wire Kit |
| The most common cause when the surface element won’t work is the radiant surface element itself. The radiant surface element – or heating element – can burn out similar to a light bulb. If the surface element won’t work and it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. The radiant surface element is not repairable. | If the surface element won’t work, and the stove has the solid surface element type of heat, it’s likely that the solid surface element itself has burned out. The solid surface element works very similarly to other surface elements – inside there is a heating element that glows when electricity is applied to it. As it gets hotter, the heat is transferred to the solid surface element | The surface element plugs onto a receptacle. Over time, the contacts in the receptacle can burn out. If the receptacle contacts burn out, the surface element will not receive power. To determine if the element receptacle has failed, inspect the receptacle contacts. If the contacts are visibly burnt or damaged, replace the element receptacle. In addition, examine the element prongs for signs of burning. If the prongs are burnt, replace both the element and element receptacle. |
| Cause 7 Loose or Burnt Wire Connection | Cause 8 Incoming Power Problem |
| These wires commonly burn out near the heating element. To determine if a wire has burned out, inspect the wires leading to the element. If a wire is burned out, it will often be visibly burnt. | It is possible that the range is not receiving proper voltage. Electric ranges require 220 volts of alternating current. If the range is receiving significantly less voltage, the surface element won’t work. To determine if the electrical outlet has sufficient voltage, use a multimeter to test the incoming power at the wall socket. |
