Electric and induction hobs are a convenient, modern and efficient way to cook, but when something goes wrong, the warning signs can often appear gradually. A hob that is slow to heat, cuts out during use, shows error codes, makes unusual noises or has unresponsive touch controls may be developing a fault that needs professional attention.

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At Trusted Appliance Repairs, we help homeowners across Wiltshire, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and surrounding areas identify and repair common electric and induction hob problems quickly, safely and affordably.

Electric and Induction Hob Repairs in Wiltshire

If your electric or induction hob is not performing as it should, there are several common signs to look out for.

You may notice that one or more cooking zones are not heating properly, are taking longer than usual to heat up, or are not reaching the correct temperature. On an electric ceramic hob, this could be caused by a faulty heating element, control switch, thermostat or internal wiring issue. On an induction hob, it may be linked to the induction coil, power board, sensor or pan detection system.

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If your hob is switching itself off during cooking, this could be due to overheating, a blocked cooling fan, a faulty temperature sensor or an issue with the control board. Induction hobs in particular rely on internal cooling systems, so unusual fan noises or repeated cutting out should not be ignored.

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Touch controls that are slow to respond, completely unresponsive or activating on their own may point to moisture, grease build-up, a damaged control panel or an electronic fault. Sometimes a simple clean and reset can help, but repeated problems may require inspection.

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Error codes are another common warning sign, especially on induction hobs. These codes are designed to alert you to a problem such as incorrect cookware, overheating, power supply issues, sensor faults or internal component failure.

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If your hob is tripping the electrics, producing a burning smell, sparking, cracking, buzzing loudly or showing visible damage, stop using the appliance and arrange for a professional repair engineer to inspect it. Electrical faults should always be taken seriously.

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Common Electric & Induction Hob Faults We Repair

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Electric and induction hobs can develop a range of faults, many of which can be repaired without needing to replace the appliance. Common hob problems include:

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• Hob not turning on

• One or more cooking zones not heating

• Hob heating slowly or unevenly

• Hob switching off during cooking

• Touch controls not responding

• Error codes appearing on the display

• Hob tripping the electrics

• Induction hob not detecting pans

• Induction hob making unusual buzzing or clicking noises

• Cooling fan running constantly or becoming noisy

• Ceramic hob element staying on or failing to regulate heat

• Cracked or damaged glass surface

• Burning smell from the appliance

• Control panel or display faults

• Power board or internal wiring issues

 

Whether the problem is caused by a faulty element, induction coil, control board, sensor, switch, fan or electrical component, Trusted Appliance Repairs can diagnose the issue and advise on the most cost-effective repair.

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Induction Hob Pan Detection Problems

One of the most common issues with induction hobs is pan detection. Unlike traditional electric hobs, induction hobs only work with suitable magnetic cookware.

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If the hob is not detecting your pan, check that the pan is induction-compatible and that it is positioned correctly on the cooking zone. The base of the pan should be flat and the correct size for the zone being used.

If you have used suitable cookware and the hob still does not detect the pan, the fault may be with the induction coil, sensor, control board or internal electronics.

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Looking After Your Electric or Induction Hob

Regular care can help keep your hob working efficiently, looking clean and reduce the risk of faults developing.

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Clean the hob after each use once the surface has cooled. Grease, food residue and burnt-on spills can affect touch controls and may become harder to remove if left for too long.

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Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge with a suitable hob cleaner. Avoid harsh scourers, metal scrapers used incorrectly or abrasive cleaning products, as these can scratch or damage the glass surface.

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Wipe around the touch control area regularly. Moisture, grease or food residue around the controls can sometimes make buttons slow to respond or trigger unwanted functions.

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Use the correct cookware. For induction hobs, always use pans that are induction-compatible with a flat magnetic base. Poor-quality or unsuitable cookware can cause poor heating, error codes or pan detection problems.

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Avoid sliding pans across the glass surface, as this can cause scratches. Lift pans carefully instead, especially heavy cookware such as cast iron.

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Do not place very hot pans on the control area, as excessive heat can damage electronic controls or sensors.

Avoid letting pans boil dry. This can cause overheating, damage cookware and may trigger safety cut-outs on the hob.

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Keep the hob area well ventilated. Induction hobs rely on internal cooling fans, so blocked ventilation can lead to overheating and performance issues.

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If the hob has a cracked glass surface, stop using it immediately and arrange a professional inspection. Liquid or food entering through a crack can create a serious electrical risk.

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When to Call a Hob Repair Engineer

Some hob issues may be resolved with cleaning, resetting the appliance or checking cookware, but many faults require professional attention.

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You should contact a repair engineer if your hob is tripping the electrics, showing repeated error codes, not heating correctly, switching itself off, making unusual noises, producing a burning smell or has a damaged glass surface.

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Continuing to use a faulty hob can sometimes make the issue worse and may create a safety risk, especially where electrical components are involved.

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Why Choose Trusted Appliance Repairs?

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• 20 years of appliance repair experience

• Local service across Wiltshire and surrounding areas

• Repairs for many leading washing machine brands

• Fair, affordable pricing without excessive manufacturer call-out charges

• Honest advice on whether repair or replacement is the best option

• 3-month warranty on all appliance repairs