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Common Troubleshooting Solutions for Induction Cooktops

Rungs K -

The first time I bought an induction cooktop, I was very impressed and think life would be much easier. But if you’re here, you'd agree with me that it’s not as simple as operating one of our all time favorite gas cooktop.

Well, Induction cooktops are one of the most sophisticated home appliances, and we need certain level of acquaintance with it to be able to understand its functionality fully.

Solutions for general problems

Installation for full-size cooktops are best done by professionals. When you buy a single burner or portable induction cooktop, we don't need professional helps.

Yet, if you're new to induction cooking chances are you'll still face problems. But there is no need to panic and call for services right away if it doesn’t come alive like you were instructed.

Believe me, it’s always wise to invest some time researching for the best rated gas cooktop than waste many hours or days trying to fix a substandard cooktop. Anyway, here are some ways to deal with possible situations if your cooktop stop working:

Setting up issues

  • If you are setting up a new induction cooktop and it does not turn on or the controls remain locked, check the voltage for the cooktop to function and that you have the right voltage distribution.
  • If the unit does not come ON even after you set it up, check the power outage first. The problem could be in your house fuse or it could be a circuit overload.

Please read article on: voltage requirements, power consumption and temperature settings of Induction cooktop to rule out possible related issues.

Cooktop shuts off while cooking

  • If the cooktop shuts off while cooking, it is probably the automatic feature that has turned it off. That happens when your cooking exceeds the maximum cooking time limit. Do refer to the manual for detailed information.
  • Most induction cooktops like True induction cooktop also have sensors that automatically shut off when it does not detect any cookware on the burner. What you have to note is that, if your cookware is displaced and not centered properly in the cooking zone, the unit will shut off as the sensor will not detect it.
  • Sometimes induction cooktop could shut-off even before the time limit, because of high internal temperature detected by its heat sensors. In this situation, you should make sure that its vent holes are not covered or blocked.
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The food does not get cooked or heated properly

  • If your food does not heat up well enough, you can check the control setting; the heat setting on your induction cooktop could probably be too low. Turn it to the correct temperature setting required.
  • The cooking zone is also to be considered. Make sure that you have the correct control ON and that the cookware is placed at the centre of the burner.
  • No cookware will get heated on an induction unless it has an adequate bottom size and it is ferromagnetic in material. Only ferromagnetic cookwares are suitable for induction cooking. Even a ferromagnetic cookware that has non-metallic coating will not be suitable.
  • If you use a medium, makes sure that you put the cookware well in place and that the medium is of the right size according to the cooking zone.

Overheating or uneven heating

  • If your food is not cooking properly or evenly, you should check on your cookware. It must be an evenly balanced, flat bottomed cookware. Your cookware needs to sit flat on the burner to ensure even heating.
  • Lightweight cookwares usually don’t heat up evenly and your food may burn more easily. Though heavyweight cookwares are preferred, if it is too heavy, food gets overcooked more often.
  • If you are unable to get your dish cooked in the perfection that the recipe presents, adjust the temperature setting to attain the sort of precision needed. If you find the correct setting, no other cooktop can beat the temperature precision and efficiency of induction cooktops. Take the example of one of the best induction cooktop with excellent electronic touch control system like Bosch NIT 3065UC or the GE PHP900 DMBB induction range.

Find out if you're using the right temperature settings for your cooking.

What’s that weird noise?

Sometimes you’ll hear noise from your cooktop that is not natural. Let’s find out the possible solutions for different weird noises.

Crackling

When you hear a crackling sound while cooking, it usually means the cookware consist of different materials. The crackling sound is cause by vibrations in the joints of two different materials. You’ll also notice scorch marks of the bottom of pans and even on the cooktop. Using such substandard cookware surely ruin your cooktop.

Fan noise

The fan will continue to run even after you switched off the cooktop which is normal and it happen to cool down the cooktop.

Humming sound

Even when the cooktop is not in use you’ll still hear a low humming sound which you’ll hear in quiet environments. This is because you need to activate the lock feature when cooktop is not in use.

Click or clicking

When you first place a utensil on the cooktop you’ll hear a click or clicking sound. This is normal and the cooktop makes this sound during the utensil recognition phase.

Display keep flashing

The display on the cooktop will keep flashing for the following reasons:

  • No pan is placed on the cooking area
  • Pan is not of the right material
  • Pan is of not the right size

Cooktop not working or partially working

If the cooktop is not working at all, the first logical step is to check the main power supply. Check for tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Make sure that the entire fuses are operational.

Make sure that the cooktop is not lockout which can happen if Control Lock is activated when power to the cooktop is off. In such scenario the cooktop touch controls would be irresponsive. You need to unlock Control Lock.

If the cooktop still don’t work you can try power reset. Turn off the power to circuit breaker for a minute, and then power back again. Still not working? Now it’s time to call the manufacturer’s helpline.

Error code

For error codes you need to refer your cooktop user’s manual. Error codes will differ from one manufacturer to another.

LED flashlights

The LED flashlight may alert us to quite an alarming degree oftentimes. Especially if your LED light flashes continuously, we naturally doubt if there is something wrong with the unit. But experience says that there is no need to panic at all because it is supposed to be a safety mechanism.

  • Next time you find it flashing, just check if you have turned off the cooktop after you lift the cookware from the burner.
  • It could alert you if your cookware is not properly centered in the cooking zone.
  • Power off and on to make a simple reboot.

Well, final words for you. You have a great device in your hands and you have every reason to feel fabulously safe with induction cooking. Induction cooktops are the one device gaining credence internationally. Do experiment and make it count.

We recommend to checkout our list of the best induction cooktops which we updated every month. Find out which cooktops received hundreds of positive reviews from highly satisfied consumers. Also, checkout FAQs on Induction Cooktops.

71 comments
  1. Susanne Koffsky
    Reply

    I am looking for an induction tea kettle. GE recommends against porcelain/enamel pots due to the outer surface melting on to the glass cook top which would destroy the surface. What tea kettle do you recommend?

    1. Beth
      Reply

      I’m having the same problem with a couple of my pans. I’ve scrubbed the bottom, making sure there was nothing to prevent the pen from touching the cook top (True Induction). I used a magnet to see if the pan lost its magnetism but it’s fine. Other pots still work. The two that have stopped working are the two I use the most. Do these type of pots wear out?

  3. Arjun
    Reply

    Actually my induction do not work properly even after reparing it , it do not heat food materials when that food product is in required object with metallic coating. So can any one help me , if then pls suggest some useful thing to make my induction workable

    1. Admin
      Reply

      It remains hot for sometime after use. Most cooktop’s fan will continue to work even after power off to fasten the process of cooling.

    1. Joe
      Reply

      Yes, depending on the base size of the pans it can be too big or too small. Refer your cooktop manual for size specification.

  8. Ali Croucamp
    Reply

    my induction stove turns on, I can hear the fan and all the lights are working. My kettle is suited for the stove (often used before) and has a heavy, solid bottom that fits perfectly but suddenly it takes forever to heat up. Please help

  9. Norman Tomlinson
    Reply

    Sometimes our induction top freezes while in use and have to turn power off as if to reboot.After power turned back on it seems to work normally again.Is this a fault or is something damaged.

    1. Admin
      Reply

      It’ll be hard to determine unless checked by professionals. Check it out with the service centre, and hopefully it is still under warranty.

  11. Cindy silva
    Reply

    My nu wave will not respond to anything. You unplug it and plug it in and it comes up with PRO and will not respond to any buttons that you push. Help!!!!!

  12. Tracy
    Reply

    My Kenmore induction stove cooks unevenly on top – for example browning two identical pieces of meat, one cooks much more quickly than the other. The repair person said it is because the stove is not completely level (way the counters are). Is this possible?

  13. Cheryl JANE
    Reply

    I have a Bosch Induction cook top and wall oven. They are apparently 10 -15 yrs old. I have no manuals for wither. The cook top tonight stoped working on both left side elements while the right side is working fine. What could be causing this. We have only been in the house for 5 months and stove top has worked fine up until now. I try all the pots I was using at the time and they all worked on the right side without a problem. Is there fuses for each side.

  14. Linda
    Reply

    Hello,

    I have a new Frigidaire induction stove and the left side of the stove top heats up better and hotter than the right side. What could be causing this?

  15. Katie
    Reply

    I have a hotpoint schott ceran and it will turn on, but when I try to set the temp it just flashes the temperature and nothing happens. I have just moved in so do not know if there is something I am doing wrong? Have checked my pan is magnetic

  19. Allan Saucier
    Reply

    You cant beat gas for cooking. instaneous off on or adjust, Visible indication its working. Death to the induction cooktop

  20. Jim Watson
    Reply

    My Brandt induction hob. When I turn on either induction hot plates, the ‘P’ light flashes continuously even though there is an induction rated saucepan (with water) placed on it. The ‘P’ is supposed to stop flashing when it has a ‘load’ like this on the hot plate. Both hotplates do it.
    Is this a simple thing to fix ?

  21. Mia vloet
    Reply

    I have a cook warning pro induction cooktop and it works fine except it keeps on beeping during cooking what is the problem and what can I do to stop it.
    Thanks Mia Vloet

  22. Sam
    Reply

    My induction cook-top suddenly made a noise with flame and smoke while it is off (the main power switch was on). The fuse switched off. Don’t know what it could be the issue and how started to work while it is Off and there was nothing on the cook-top at that time. Any help would be much appreciated.

  23. matt
    Reply

    My GE Profile 36″ induction cooktop’s touch control for only one burner out of 5 works. The timer also works but that is all. Can lock and unlock the touch control without any problem. The display for burners that do not work is on and just shows a dash(i.e. “-“) and does not respond to touch.

  24. Joy
    Reply

    I tried out my new induction cooker for the first time. I was trying to brown some salmon strips. It didn’t seen to recognize my small cast-iron frying pan so I tried the one that came with it. Within seconds, it turned black then started to glow red. I immediately switched it off and decided to put the rest in the toaster oven. A very unsatisfactory experience and dinner.

    Will the pan be salvageable? Am I going to only be able to cook pasta and eat boiled meat and fish? Should I buy an electric skillet or even an old-fashioned coil burner? I’d love to hear back on this.

  25. NATALIE
    Reply

    MY CHEF MING INDUCTION BURNER 1800 W… SEZ OFF BUT THE POWER AND NOISE STILL GO ON. WHY ISNT OFF OFF??? AND HOW DO I SHUT IT OFF>> HELP

  27. Chris
    Reply

    I have a 36″ Frigidaire induction cooktop, I had a power outage last night and my cooktop will not power up. I reset all of my power box switches outside and I still have no power. Is there a reset button or a trick to reboot my cooktop?

  28. Suman
    Reply

    My induction cooker get electricity on,the cooling fan works properly meanwhile display doesn’t show any light and work what is the problem?please send me feedback

  30. Diane
    Reply

    My Bosch induction cooktop when the main middle burner is pushed on any number it doesn’t hold. The number 3 flashes with another either a letter or number..other burners are functional.

  32. Jane Ann Kret
    Reply

    i have a GE induction range GEPH920SF1SS. It seems to intermittently set it’s self to sabbath mode. I’m not sure if this happens because of power loss or what. Evertime I clean to touchpad I reset it to no sab no, but it still happens. Also it doesnt seem to cook evenly on the large burner.

  33. David Hamilton
    Reply

    My Induction Cooktop will not heat up properly seems to be only working at 50% of capacity, and that is only using one burner.
    What might the problem be?

  34. Joyce Lazarus
    Reply

    My Duxtop (purchased a month ago) seems to cook well with a variety of pans but the LED indicator flashes with the word “HOT” within a minute of use almost every time I use it.
    This happens in both the temperature mode and power mode both at medium heat settings. I’m not sure it’s safe to use.
    Any help will be appreciated.

  35. alison
    Reply

    I have a Schott Ceran oven and the hob is automatically switching itself off after 5 mins has anyone else had this problem, is it connected to the timer/ thermostate HELP please. thanks

  37. George Flores
    Reply

    I bought this set several months ago and just decided to use it for the first time today. When I plugged on the outlet, all you hear is the fan going on and shutting off without any display going on.

  38. George Flores
    Reply

    Hello Everyone, I just placed a comment regarding my stove top not working several minutes ago. I just decided to open the unit, and while opening it, I noticed that the clip for the display on the stove top wasn’t plugged in all the way. Once I pushed in the clip, the stove turned on and also the display. As of now the stove is working like it should. Hope this helps out for the next person that encounter’s this problem.

  39. diane Davis
    Reply

    I used a brand new pot this morning with not problems and this afternoon it is not detected and the unit turns off. I already returned one set of pans that didn’t seem to work. Any theory on how it can work at 8 am but can’t be detected at 2? It’s a smaller pot but it worked this morning.
    Getting less and less enthused with this gadget. I have the Kuradori brand and bought Langoustina pots specifically for it.

  41. Linda Packard
    Reply

    I use my cooktop a lot, All of a sudden it comes on for a couple seconds and shuts off with an ( error 9 ). What is wrong with it????

  42. liz
    Reply

    so my range gave error code nothing worked could not turn anything on over cooktop timer clock nothing now everything but the cooktop works, when i turn on a burner it does the flashing seeking pan and then turns off, the top is clean, pans are pans i have used for years any suggestion it is a ge profile freestanding induction range

      1. maria
        Reply

        same with my NUwave induction cooker,it needs to unflug to turn it off and when it is in process of cooking ,the led keep on blinking and beeping.what is the ccause of this problem?ple help.

  44. Bill Medbery
    Reply

    Our Nuwave stove-top currently has four zero’s showing 00:00 like it wants to time something? Can not get this to clear. Currently does noting?

  45. Miranda
    Reply

    Today, I was heating some soup on my Fagor countertop induction burner. I have been using it for about 4 years. I was suddenly aware of blue lights all around the burner. It looked like flames, but it wasn’t hot. I shut it off. I am quite nervous about using it again, as I have never seen this happen before. Is my unit just wearing out? Is this a normal part of the magnetic field in some circumstances? As I am thinking about it now, I had it resting on a metal surface, which does not heat up, but is it possible my burner was somehow reacting with that? What do you think? I love cooking with my induction burner.

  46. Sunny Au
    Reply

    I experienced a problem described in this website but so far nobody has answered to this problem.

    We had a pot that once worked on induction cookers. Then suddenly, all induction cookers in my house could not recognize it anymore and so shut off automatically. The induction cookers still work on other pots and pan. So, the problem must be about the pot, which still attracts magnet.

  47. Jim
    Reply

    Worked last year, tried to use it this year and it will not turn on without lifting the back up at about a 45 degree angle. Then every light on it turns on, but nothing happens!

  48. Ronan Laverty
    Reply

    The cooling fan on my Amica induction hob won’t turn off, we only have the hob 2 weeks,so can’t understand why this is happening

  51. Butch
    Reply

    I have a NuWave double cooktop. It’s bee working great but now there is a 0 on the left side and no other lights. I’ve unplugged it, let it sit and tried powering it back up but same result. I also tried different power outlets. When I turn it on, no sound, when I turn it off it clicks.

  52. Terry Lindsay
    Reply

    Our GE Induction range keeps shutting off and shows FA92 as the error message. Very frequently the burners won’t turn on or the oven. We purchased it in 2014 and have had a variety of past issues. Can you tell us what the FA92 error code means please.

  53. Dot
    Reply

    When I boil or simmer on my new Belling induction hob I cannot get a constant heat. The water in the pan rises to the top of the pan then lowers to water level over and over. I have had an induction hob before that never did this.

  54. Irem
    Reply

    My induction hob stopped working this morning. it is just blinking a small red point signal when I press on on/off button/pad. Please help me to understand the issue, It was working fine yesterday.

  55. Paul Tierney
    Reply

    I have a five burner Electrolux induction stove top unit. The unit has power to it including the individual elements. Have cut power to it for three hours to see if it would reset – no luck. I tried cycling the lockout switch – again no luck. Help!

  56. Kylie
    Reply

    Hi we are happing problems with the cook top its really hard to start.Sometime it will start the it switches off and just flashes.

  58. allison
    Reply

    HI I have a GE PROFILE 30 INDUCTION 3 OUT OF THE 4 BURNERS ARE SHOWING A RED DASH — . AND WE CAN NOT FIND ANY ANSWERS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING . ONE BURNR WORKING FINE AS WELL AS THE TIMER . WE HAVE TURNED OFF POWER TO THE STOVETOP WITH NO RESULTS.

    1. Joan Arquilla
      Reply

      I have the same problem and cannot find any one even GE to find an answer Have you let me hear from you as In have been without the 3 burners for weeks. My cooktop is 9 years old and I paid $2300 for it and that is not a good service record for GE

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