Stove Won’t Turn On? Here’s 5 Potential Causes & Fixes

If you are trying to figure out why your stove is not turning on, there are a number of reasons why. You depend on your stove to work properly, and it can be frustrating when it does not do so. Therefore, you need to take a closer look at your stove to figure out what is happening.

The exact reason why your stove is not turning on will vary depending on whether you use a gas stove or an electric stove. You need to make sure that the power source is flowing to the stove. Then, you need to inspect the individual elements to make sure they are working properly. 

So, what are a few possible reasons why your stove might not be turning on? We have done an extensive amount of research to figure out why stoke might not be working. Take a look at a few possible causes, and see if any of them can help you fix your stove. Remember to call a professional if you have questions. 

Your Stove Is Not Turning On: 5 Possible Causes and Fixes

There are a number of reasons why your stove might not be turning on. A few possible reasons include: 

#1 Your Stove Is Not Plugged In

The first possible reason why your stove is not working properly is that it is not plugged in. Now, we could overlook this issue, assuming that everyone is going to think about this possibility; however, we would be overlooking one of the most common reasons why the stove might not turn on.

If your stove is not plugged in, it is not going to generate any heat. If you have an electric stove, it requires a steady source of electricity to generate power. Even if you have a gas stove, are you still going to make sure the stove is plugged in. Even a gas stove still requires a steady source of electricity to work properly. 

If you are having issues finding a power cord, you may need to move the stove away from the wall. Then, take a closer look at the back to see if there is a cord coming out of it. Make sure the cord is attached to the outlet. 

If you find that the cord is attached to the outlet, you need to make sure the outlet is not dead. You may need to use a special device to test the amount of power flow into the outlet. If there is no power flying to the outlet, you may need to flip the switch somewhere in the room to activate the outlet.

You can also test the cord to see if there is something wrong with it. Find an outlet that you know is working. For example, there might be an outlet in your home that already has a light plugged into it. Then, plug in the stove and make sure it turns on. If you have plugged your stove into an outlet that you know is working, and your stove does not turn on, then there is something else wrong with the stove. 

#2 The Gas Burner Is Not Turning On

If you have a gas stove, and you see the lights are turning on, then it can be frustrating if the gas burner is not lighting. If the flame is not lighting on your cooktop, it is important to dig a bit deeper to figure out what is happening. When you turn on your gas burner to light, you should hear a clicking noise. 

If you hear a clicking noise, then you should be able to smell gas blowing to the stove. If there is no gas going to the stove, you need to take a closer look at the gas line. Perhaps the gas company has turned off the gas. Or, maybe the gas line is kinked or clogged.

Unless you have experience working with gas specifically, this is something that is better left to the professionals. Gas is flammable, so you need to make sure you always put safety first. You should call the gas company to take a closer look at the meter to make sure it has been turned on. 

If you smell gas, but the stove is not lighting, then there could be an issue with the ignition switch. You should turn off the stove and unplug it. Then, take off the burner cap and grate. If there is any loose food on the stove, you should clean this as well. Take a look and see if there are any wires that have come loose, as you may need to replace them. 

If you have done all of this and the stove is still not lighting, then you may need to replace the ignition switch. In this case, it is important to reach out to the professionals who can make sure you need a new ignition switch. Then, once the ignition switch has been replaced, the stove should light. 

#3 Your Electric Burner Will Not Heat

If you have an electric stove, then you may have the same issue. If one of your electric burners is not heating, this is a sign that there is no power flowing to the burner. First, make sure the stove is plugged in. Hopefully, you have already done that. 

Then, take a look at the other electric burners. You should have at least four burners on your stove. Turn on the stove and see what happens. Turn the dial on each individual burner and see if the others are lighting. If all the burners are not lighting, then this is a sign there is an electrical problem with your stove. 

If you only have one burner that will not light, this is a sign that something is wrong with that specific burner. You should turn off the power, allow the stove to cool, and then remove the burner itself. Take a look at what it looks like underneath the burner. You may want to swap out the broken coil with another one on your stove. If the new coil works fine in place of the broken one, then this is a sign that you need to replace the coil. 

You should take a look at the manual to figure out what type of burner you need. Then, you might be able to order a replacement coil and install it on your own. 

#4 One Gas Burner Is Not Lighting

If you only have one gas burner that will not turn on, this is a sign that you have something wrong with that specific burner. The first thing you need to do is remove power from the burner. That way, you don’t burn or shock yourself when you are working on your range.

Then, take a look at the burner cap. Make sure it has not come dislodged. You may need to remove the burner cap to inspect it more closely. If you are having a difficult time figuring out how the burner cap is supposed to sit, take a look at the other burners on the stove. Make sure the burner cap matches the others.

If you have realigned the burner cap and that burner is still not lighting, you need to look for possible food debris that might be obstructing the burner. You may want to use a metal paperclip to knock the food debris out of the way. 

You should try to avoid using a toothpick to clear any food debris. There is a chance that the toothpick could snap and fall into the burner. Of course, toothpicks are flammable, so this could be a serious problem for your burner. 

If you have done all of this and the gas burner is still not lighting, then you may need to replace the burner itself. You need to call a professional to help you with this. 

#5 The Induction Stovetop Burner Is Not Getting Hot

If you have an induction stovetop burner that is not getting hot, there are a number of possible reasons why this might be taking place. When you use an induction stovetop, the stove itself is not going to get hot. Instead, it is going to heat whatever you put on top of it. 

You need to make sure that the pots and pans you place on top of the stove are compatible with an induction stovetop. This means that your pots and pans have to be ferromagnetic. You should take a look at the pots and pans you are using, making sure they work well with an induction stovetop. 

If you are certain that your pots and pans are supposed to work with an induction stovetop, you should test the other burners to see if they are working properly. This will let you know if there is something wrong with one burner or if there is something wrong with the entire range. Regardless, you may need to reach out to a professional who can help you. 

Figure Out Why Your Stovetop Is Not Lighting

These are just a few of the many reasons why your stovetop might not be lighting. Clearly, there are different causes depending on the type of stove you have. It is important to figure out how your stove works before you start digging around inside of it. 

Then, you should figure out if the problem is with one individual burner or the entire stove. This will help you figure out what you need to do next. Keep in mind that you always need to put safety at the top of your priority list. 

If at any point you feel uncomfortable working on your stove, you need to reach out to a professional who can help you. That way, you can make sure you don’t get hurt. You can also ensure you have the right information you need to decide what you should do next to take care of your stove.