Kettle Won’t Switch Off After Boiling? 4 Steps to Fix It

What should you do if your kettle won’t switch off after it’s finished boiling? Take a look at the 4 steps in this article that will help you fix it.

If your kettle won’t switch off after boiling, here’s what you can do.

1. Make sure you have closed the lid properly
2. Descale the kettle and lid
3. Do not overfill the kettle
4. Replace the thermostat

There you have it, 4 steps to fixing your kettle. For a closer look at each of them, take a look at the following section.

4 Things to Do if Your Kettle Won’t Switch off

Does your kettle boil and boil and boil without ever turning itself off? Then you probably worried about a couple of things. How much your electric bill will come to at the end of the month thanks to all of the excessive boiling. And how you can clear the thick, sauna-like air in the kitchen from all the water vapor.

Coming up, we’ll talk about 4 things you can do to help your kettle to switch off again when it should. This might save you from buying a replacement kettle. Take a look.

#1 Make Sure You Have Closed the Lid Properly

We’ll start with one of the easiest things you can do to solve your kettle’s boiling problem. That is, to make sure that you have closed the lid properly. If it isn’t closed, the kettle will continue boiling. This is because it will take longer for the water to reach boiling point. If the thermostat inside the kettle struggles to reach boiling, it will not trigger the automatic shut-off feature.

To solve the problem, make sure that you have closed the lid properly. Click it shut when boiling the kettle.

#2 Descale the Kettle and Lid

Another reason why your kettle is on the longest boiling marathon could be due to limescale. If your kettle has a lot of limescale built up inside, it could begin to affect its operation.

You should also check your kettle’s lid for limescale build-up. If there is limescale around the lid, that will stop it from closing properly. If the lid doesn’t shut well, the kettle will boil more than it needs to. This is because it will take a lot longer for the water to boil.

To fix this problem, you should descale your kettle regularly. But how regular should that be? Take a look at the following guide (based on the average use of 5 kettle boils per day) to find out.

• You should descale your kettle once every 3 months if you live in a soft water area
• You should descale your kettle once a month if you live in a hard water area
• If you use your kettle more than 5 times a day, you will need to descale it more frequently

How can you remove the limescale from your kettle and lid? Take a look at the following instructions to find out.

To remove limescale from a kettle, do this.

1. Half fill the kettle with equal parts of vinegar and water
2. Put the kettle on to boil, once the water boils, turn it off
3. Leave the water to cool inside the kettle
4. Empty the kettle. Use a sponge to scrub away and remove any stubborn patches of limescale.
5. Rinse the kettle a couple of times to remove the vinegar smell

To remove limescale from a kettle lid, do this.

1. Soak a cleaning cloth in equal parts water to vinegar
2. Use the cloth to scrub around the lid of the kettle
3. For extra stubborn spots of limescale, leave the cleaning cloth laying over the lid overnight
4. Scrub the kettle lid the following day. The limescale should now have loosened and be easier to remove.

If you don’t want to use vinegar in your kettle, you can use the following materials.

• Durgol descaler
• Oust descaler
• Citric acid

#3 Do Not Overfill the Kettle

To stop your kettle from boiling excessively, you should ensure that you don’t overfill it. If water enters the steam tube, it might stop the kettle from switching off as it should.

There should be a maximum line on the inside or outside of your kettle. You shouldn’t fill your kettle above this line to avoid malfunctions. 

What should you do if your kettle has been overfilled? Take a look at these steps.

1. Unplug the kettle
2. Open the lid of the kettle
3. Empty the water from the kettle
4. Dry the inside of the kettle the best you can with a towel
5. Leave the kettle to dry for 24 hours with the lid open. After 24 hours, the kettle should work normally again.

#4 Replace the Thermostat

Your kettle turns off when it is prompted by the thermostat. So, if your kettle keeps on boiling continuously, that could be because the thermostat has malfunctioned. If that is the case, you will need to replace it.

The element that is most likely to malfunction in the thermostat is the pin. If the pin melts, the thermostat will not work properly and your kettle will boil and boil.

You can take a look and see if the pin in the thermostat has melted by looking at it. To do so, follow these steps.

1. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the handle of the kettle. This is where the thermostat is kept in most kettles. You will likely find the screws linked to the handle under the base of the kettle. But this could vary from model to model.
2. Look at the thermostat to see if the pin has melted. If it has, you will need to buy a replacement thermostat.

You might be able to find a replacement thermostat from a parts and spares store online. But remember, the thermostat model you need will vary depending on the type of kettle you have. Are you struggling to find the right thermostat for your kettle? Then it might be easier to replace the kettle instead of trying to repair it.

What Should You Do If the Kettle Still Won’t Stop Boiling?

But what should you do if the thermostat isn’t to blame for your kettle’s boiling issue? Have you tried all the fixes in this article but still cannot get your kettle to automatic shut-off? Then there is another problem with your appliance that will require you to tamper with the electrics to fix.

If your kettle is still under warranty, I recommend that you get in touch with the manufacturer. You should be able to get a replacement. Bear in mind that most kettle warranties last for a maximum of 2 years. If your kettle is older than that, it might not be covered.

If your kettle is not under warranty, then I recommend you purchase a new one. This is likely the best option as it is often difficult to find the right parts for a kettle. This is also probably the best option if your kettle is more than 4 years old as this is the average lifespan of a kettle.

Conclusion

Can’t get your kettle to switch off after the water has boiled? Before you decide to get a replacement, take a look at the 4 steps in this article that might save you money on a new one.

Has this article helped you? Then make sure you check out some of our other articles and free guides. You could even sign up to our email list.

Have a great day!

-Craig