An induction cooktop is one of the favorite kitchen appliances among many homeowners and for all the right reasons. They are designed to prepare good quality meals within the shortest period. However, like the other kitchen appliances, induction cooktops are not free from complications and flaws. They tend to malfunction at some point too but you need to be prepared for that and for difficult to solve problems, you should consult appliance repair experts. We will share why your induction cooktop is unresponsive and what you can do to fix it.
Lock Mode
A common cause of problems among induction cooktops is homeowners accidentally locking it up without realizing it. If the cooktop happens to go into lock mode, it will simply not power up. You have to remember that modern induction cooktops come with several nifty features like the lock mode itself.
Plus, modern cooktops are also designed to be safe and convenient to use. If the lock mode is turned on, you will not be able to operate the cooktop using the panel. This is a safety feature for people who have kids running around in the house or mentally challenged people. Since kids are inquisitive and love to play with buttons and touch screens, turning on the lock mode can save them from severe accidents.
It can also be that someone happens to keep the cooktop turned on without even realizing it. This could waste a lot of electricity leading to higher energy bills at the end of the month. When the cooktop is in lock mode, there will be a light indicating the situation. You will have to press some buttons to turn it off.
Although, the steps may vary based on the make, model, and variant of the cooktop but are more or less the same. If you are not able to figure it out, read the user manual. If the cooktop won’t unlock even after pressing the button, it means there is a problem with the panel.
Even though stove panels do not give up easily but may be a lot trickier to diagnose. In such a case, you should call a professional. After an inspection, if the expert determines that the panel is faulty, you should get it replaced under warranty. If not, you will simply have to pay for the replacement.
The Burner Has Malfunctioned
Traditional stoves differ from induction cooktops in the sense that traditional stoves have several burners while induction cooktops come with a single burner sometimes referred to as an “induction area” or “Induction hob”.
Induction cooktops come with copper coils underneath the glass surface that heat up by utilizing electricity and help prepare meals. If the induction cooktop is not working, it might be that the induction burner may be the problem. Maybe the coils are bad. Another cause of the problem could be a cracked glass surface of the cooktop.
While induction cooktops have their advantages, they tend to be sensitive as well. Considering the fact that the coils are electric components, you might never know when they can give up. Plus, even a minor crack in the glass surface might cause the cooktop to be unresponsive.
An unresponsive cooktop requires removing the glass surface and inspecting the coils. Make sure that you do not do it while the coils are hot. If you have recently used the cooktop, you will need to wait for it to cool down. Use the user manual to remove the glass surface and the coils.
Check it out carefully for any signs of cracks or damage. Plus, check the wires and connections. If the cooktop is old, there is a chance the wires are worn or there is moisture hindering the electrical connection. Try cleaning the connections to see if the burner works.
You can also try replacing the coils. However, make sure the coils are the exact replacement. From the outside, all may look the same but vary in terms of specifications and built quality.
Lack Of Power
As you already know that induction cooktops run on electricity. If the unit is not receiving power, it is hardly surprising that it is not turning on or is unresponsive. Induction cooktops do require a sufficient amount of electricity and that can trip the circuit breaker.
You need to check and make sure the circuit breaker is not tripped. Plus, check for any blown fuses as well. If you find that the circuit breaker has tripped, you will need to turn it “on”. Furthermore, reset the cooktop as well. This should solve the problem.
However, if you induction cooktop keeps tripping the circuit breaker, you should not attempt further to turn on the breaker because there may be an issue with the cooktop or the circuit breaker. In this case, you will need to consult an expert.
Keep this in mind for other electric appliances as well especially refrigerators. If it’s tripping the circuit breaker, you should call in refrigerator repair Fairfax companies.
Cookware Compatibility Issues
Another noteworthy reason your induction cooktop is unresponsive is due to incompatible pans or glassware. What most people do not realize is the fact that induction cooktops only work with compatible glassware. In other words, induction cooktops do have their limitations and this is one of them.
The reason is that cooktops don’t produce heat if a certain interaction between the two surfaces the glass and the cookware doesn’t happen. The interaction can happen only when the appropriate cookware is used. If that is not the case, the cooktop won’t heat at all and it will feel as if the cooktop is unresponsive. This is why you should always pick compatible cookware for your induction cooktop.
If you do not know what to use, you can either consult the user manual or ask an expert. A sign of incompatible cookware being used on induction cooktops is strange noises coming from the cooktop.
Lack Of Maintenance
An unresponsive induction cooktop might be a sign of a lack of maintenance. If you plan on purchasing and installing an induction cooktop, you need to make sure you can look after it in terms of maintenance. Induction cooktops like other kitchen appliances require maintenance.
Just because they use electricity does not mean they do not become dirty. With time, oil dirt, and dust accumulation can hinder the performance and make the coils work harder than usual causing expensive repairs and replacements.
Sooner or later, the coils malfunction and need replacement as well. This is why you need to perform regular inspections and maintenance depending on the usage frequency. If you tend to use the induction cooktop on a daily basis, you will need to clean it at least once a week.
On the other hand, you will need to schedule expert maintenance as well. Expert maintenance is not only about cleaning the unit but also inspecting for potential repairs and replacements. Although many homeowners might call it an expense, you should consider it an investment.
Professional maintenance goes a long way ensuring your induction cooktops work effortlessly.
Conclusion
The above causes will show you why your induction cooktop is not responding and not heating up. You must perform regular inspections and maintenance combined with professional maintenance from cooktops repair Northern VA services. And, be on the lookout for unusual signs & symptoms. Fixing an issue in its earlier stages will help prevent further complications.