When an electric burner won't heat, it can prevent you from cooking on one or more sections of your cooktop. This issue is usually traced to the burner element itself, its switch, or the connection between the two.

Below are the most common causes of a non-working electric burner and the steps you can take to diagnose and repair each one.

1. Burner Element Burned Out

Most Common Solution

Why It Causes the Burner Not to Work

The burner element contains an internal heating coil that can burn out over time from repeated use. Once the coil breaks internally, the burner will no longer heat even though it may still appear undamaged from the outside.

Common causes include:

• Internal coil worn out from years of use
• Element damaged from spills or boil-overs
• Physical damage from impact or improper cookware placement

Symptoms include:

• Burner does not glow or heat at all when turned on
• Visible scorch marks, bulging, or cracks on the element
• Burner works only when wiggled or repositioned in its socket

How to Replace the Burner Element

1. Turn off power to the range at the breaker before starting.
2. Lift the burner element out of its receptacle at the front edge.

Pull the element straight out from the receptacle socket.

Insert the new burner element's prongs into the receptacle socket.

Press the element down until it sits level with the cooktop surface.

Restore power and turn on the burner to confirm it heats evenly.

Find Burner Element Parts
Enter your range model number to locate the correct replacement burner element for your unit.

2. Faulty Infinite Switch

Why It Causes the Burner Not to Work

The infinite switch controls the amount of power sent to the burner based on the dial setting. If the switch's internal contacts wear out or fail, it may stop sending power to the burner entirely, even though the knob turns normally.

Common causes include:

• Internal contacts worn out from years of use
• Switch damaged by heat or moisture from spills
• Loose wire connection at the back of the switch

Symptoms include:

• Burner does not respond to any dial setting
• Burner only works at certain settings, such as high but not low
• Clicking sound from the switch with no heat produced

How to Replace the Infinite Switch

1. Turn off power to the range at the breaker before starting.
2. Remove the corresponding control knob and mounting screws from the control panel.

Pull the panel forward and locate the infinite switch attached to the shaft.

Take a photo of the wire terminals, then disconnect them from the old switch.

Connect the wires to the new switch in the same configuration.

Secure the switch, reinstall the panel and knob, and restore power.

Test the burner at multiple settings to confirm proper operation.

3. Damaged Burner Receptacle

Why It Causes the Burner Not to Work

The receptacle is the socket beneath the cooktop that supplies power to the plug-in burner element. If its contacts become burned, corroded, or loose, power may not reach the element even if the element itself is in good condition.

Common causes include:

• Receptacle contacts burned from years of electrical arcing
• Corrosion buildup from spills reaching the socket
• Receptacle terminals loosened over time

Symptoms include:

• Element works when swapped with a known-good burner from another position
• Visible burn marks or melted plastic around the socket
• Burner flickers or loses heat intermittently

How to Replace the Burner Receptacle

1. Turn off power to the range at the breaker before starting.
2. Remove the burner element and the cooktop surface or panel above the receptacle.

Disconnect the wire terminals from the back of the old receptacle.

Remove the mounting screws and take out the damaged receptacle.

Install the new receptacle and reconnect the wire terminals.

Reinstall the cooktop panel and burner element, then restore power.

Test the burner to confirm consistent, stable heating.

Find Burner Receptacle Parts
Enter your range model number to locate the correct replacement receptacle for your unit.

4. Wiring or Control Board Issue

Why It Causes the Burner Not to Work

On ranges with electronic burner controls, the control board manages power distribution to each burner position. Loose wiring or a failed relay on the board can prevent voltage from reaching one or more burners even though the switches and elements test fine individually.

Common causes include:

• Loose or corroded wire connections at the control board
• Failed relay dedicated to a specific burner position
• Damaged wiring harness between the board and cooktop

Symptoms include:

• One specific burner position never works, regardless of the element used
• Burner works intermittently or cuts out during use
• Burning smell or visible damage near the wiring or board

How to Check Wiring and the Control Board

1. Turn off power to the range at the breaker before starting.
2. Access the wiring and control board, typically located beneath the cooktop or behind the rear panel.

Visually inspect wiring for scorch marks, melted insulation, or loose connectors.

Tighten or repair any loose or corroded wire connections found.

Test the relevant relay on the control board using a multimeter if wiring appears intact.

Replace the control board if a relay fails testing.

Restore power and test all burner positions for consistent operation.

Find Control Board Parts
Enter your range model number to locate the correct replacement control board for your unit.

Preventing Electric Burner Problems

Routine care can help you catch burner issues early and extend the life of your cooktop. Consider the following preventive steps:

• Clean spills promptly to prevent corrosion of the element and receptacle
• Avoid using cookware that overhangs or unevenly presses on the burner
• Check that burner elements sit flush and seated properly after cleaning

Find the Correct Range Replacement Part

A non-working electric burner can result from a burned-out element, a faulty infinite switch, a damaged receptacle, or a wiring or control board issue. Identifying the source will help you get the right replacement part and restore reliable cooking performance.

Always verify your range model number before ordering any replacement part to ensure a proper fit and reliable performance.

At Authentic Appliance Parts, we provide quality range replacement parts and repair resources to help you diagnose range problems and complete repairs with confidence.