Fix A Stove Burner That Stays On When Turned Off: 4 Causes and Steps

Do you have an electric stove? If so, you probably like how easy it is to use and how cost-effective it is. At the same time, it can be frustrating if you have an electric stove that develops issues. For example, you might be upset that your electric stove stays on even when you have turned it off.

There are a number of possible reasons why your electric stove might stay on even after you have turned it off. For example, there could be a broken knob, there might be a faulty surface element, or there could be a defective switch in the stove itself. You will need to take a closer look at the stove to figure out which of these reasons is responsible for your stove malfunctioning.

It is true that the stove might require some work to figure out; however, we have already done a lot of the research for you. Take a look at a few possible reasons why your electric stove might not be working properly. That way, you can figure out if you can fix the stove on your own, if you have to call a professional who can help you, or if you need to replace the stove entirely.

What You Will Need: The Materials

The good news is that you should not need a lot of materials to diagnose your stove. Of course, you will need to have access to the stove itself. Then, you probably should have a screwdriver in case you need to take apart your stove. If you need to clean your stove, then you should also have a cloth and some detergent handy. Once you have gathered all of the materials needed, you can take a closer look at the stove itself.

Fix A Stove Burner That Stays On When Turned Off: 4 Causes and Steps

Now, it is time to take a deep dive into what might be wrong with your stove. A few possible causes include: 

Step #1 Clean the Stove

Every stove is slightly different. The exact buttons and knobs you have to push to turn on your stove can vary from model to model. Therefore, the first thing you should do is make sure one of the buttons is not stuck.

Fortunately, if you have a stuck button, this is usually easy to fix. Before you do anything on your stove, you need to make sure you have unplugged it from the wall. That way, you were due to the risk of burning yourself or shocking yourself. 

To fix the button, you will simply need to remove the oil and grease that could be causing the button to stick in place. Mix your solution together, apply it to the button, and make sure you clean it thoroughly. 

As you clean the button, you might even feel a pop underneath your hand. This is a sign that the button has come unstuck. This should be enough to address the issue. 

Once you are certain you have gotten the button unstuck, you can plug the oven back in. Then, test it to see if it turns on. If it does, you know you have fixed the issue. If not, it is time to move on to another possible cost.

Step #2 Look for a Broken Knob

If you have knobs on your stove, you might have a broken one. If the knob is broken, you might not be able to turn it properly. Or, the nod might be turning without generating any friction underneath. Regardless, it may look like your burner is off when it is still on.

Arguably, this is the most common reason why your stove won’t turn off. Fortunately, this is another problem that is relatively easy to fix. A few of the steps you need to follow include: 

• First, confirm that the stove is unplugged before you start to work on it. That way, you don’t have to worry about hurting yourself. 
• Then, you need to pull on the knob slightly to detach it from the stove. It should slide off relatively easily, landing in your hand. 
• If the knob is not coming off easily, this is a sign that it may be stuck. You should follow the steps above to get the knob unstuck.
• If you have already cleaned the not thoroughly, then you may need to tie a string around it, using this to generate a bit more force. You do not want to exert too much worse on the knob, as you run the risk of damaging the spring underneath.
• Once you have the knob in your hand, take a look at it and see if it is broken. If it is, you will need to replace it. Check the manual to see what type of knob you need, and then you should be able to order it online. 
• Once the knob arrives, take a look at the manual to see what you have to do to put it back on the shaft. This is usually a relatively easy process. 

You should not try to use your stove with any of the knobs removed. There is a reason why the knobs are there, to begin with. It is difficult to tell if the burner is completely turned off if the knob is not attached. Make sure the knob is attached to the stove before you try to use it again. 

Step #3 Look for a Faulty Surface Element

It is also possible that there could be a faulty surface element on the stove. This is usually called a surface burner, and it is responsible for providing heat to the cooktop itself. The vast majority of electric ranges have several heating elements. These could include metal discs, radiant heating elements, and coils. In addition, the burners usually come in multiple shapes and sizes. 

As you use the stove, the surface element may stop functioning properly. This is normal with wear and tear, but some stoves may wear out faster than others depending on how often you use them. If the surface element has reached the end of its life, it might need to be replaced. Furthermore, if you have a lot of sales on your cooktop, this could expedite the damage. 

If you would like to take a closer look at the surface element, there are several steps to follow. These include:

• First, you have to make sure the electric stove has been disconnected from the outlet. Make sure it has had time to cool before you move forward. 
• Then, remove the surface element in the stove. Read the manual to see how to do this. 
• Once you have the surface element, inspected it for any signs of damage. You may want to look for visible breaks or burn marks. 
• After this, you should use a multimeter to conduct a continuity test. The number you get should be significantly above 0. If it is 0, this is a sign that the surface element is dead. 
• If you need to replace the surface element, take a look at the manual to see which surface elements are required. Then, you should be able to order them online and replace the element on your own.

If you find that all of the surface elements are dead, this could be a sign that something is wrong underneath the range itself. It is unlikely that all the surface elements have died at the same time. 

Step #4 Check the Surface Element Switch

If you are certain that your burners are working properly, but the stove is still not working correctly, there could be a problem with the burner switch. As you use the stove, the burner switch will eventually wear out. It is also possible that the switch may have suffered some damage if there was a short circuit that took place. 

After the surface element switch has gone bad, the stove will stop working properly. There are several steps to follow to address the surface element switch. These include: 

• First, make sure the electric stove is unplugged. Give it time to cool before you start working on it. 
• Then, take a look at the manual to see where the surface element switch is located. Usually, you can find it at the back of the appliance. 
• After this, take a look at the switch for signs of damage. Look at the wires to see if they have any signs of damage. 
• There is no way to guarantee the switch is good or bad. If you suspect it is damaged, you need to replace it. 

If you have questions about the surface element switch, you should reach out to a professional who can diagnose this for you. That way, you can figure out what the best course of action is. If the element switch is not working properly, it needs to be replaced before your stove will start working again. 

Figure Out Why the Burner Is Staying On When Turned Off

These are just a few of the many possible reasons why the burner is staying on even after you have turned it off. This could be a significant safety hazard. Therefore, this is something that you need to diagnose as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, a lot of the possible causes are relatively easy to diagnose. If you keep your stove clean, you can prevent the knobs and buttons from getting damaged. If there is something wrong with it electrical components of the stove, you may need to dig deeper to test them.

Finally, remember that you always need to put safety at the top of your priority list when you are trying to figure out how to address the stove. If you are ever uncomfortable with anything related to your stove, you could reach out to a professional who can assist you. This can go a long way toward helping you figure out whether it is worth it to repair your stove or replace it entirely.