There are so many reasons to choose an induction cooktop for your kitchen. It cooks fast and has proven to be more energy-efficient. And there are no food spills since the only part of the device which heats is the pan.
But like any other electrical kitchen device, induction cooktops have their downsides. One of them is that if something goes wrong with your induction cooktop, and you end up getting some errors, you may not immediately find ways to fix it. You will have to go through the device’s manual or contact the manufacturer for informed guidance.
Also, if the buttons of your cooktop can refuse to work, this can cause you lots of confusion and frustration. If your induction cooktop buttons are not working, read on to find the possible causes and how best you can solve the problem at once.
Before we go to the problems and solutions here’s an infographic of erros that you are likely to be encountering
Is the Induction Cooker Not Switching On?
So your new induction cooker suddenly decided to go on strike and not switch on, huh? Been there myself, and it’s super frustrating. But before you panic, there are usually some simple fixes to try and get it working again.
1. Double-Check the Outlet Connections
First up – double check that outlet and make sure everything’s plugged in properly. I’ve definitely been guilty of accidentally kicking the plug loose or having it not quite connected right. Take a quick peek behind the cooker to be sure.
2. Check for Any Error Lights
Next, check if any error lights are blinking on the display. That’s the cooker’s way of telling you something’s up. Consult the manual to see what the light codes mean. Could be as simple as the pan not being compatible or positioned right.
3. Try a Pan Compatibility Test
Speaking of pans, give yours a test on a burner that is working to make sure it actually works with induction.
4. Attempt Resetting the Cooker
If that’s all good, try resetting or rebooting the induction cooker. Unplug it for a few minutes, then plug back in. Or some models have a reset button you can press with a pin. Little reset goes a long way!
5. Inspect the Internal Wiring
Still not firing up? Time to dig deeper. Take off the unit’s service panel and inspect the internal wiring. Look for any loose connections or damaged wires. Especially check where the wires connect to the induction coils—that’s the culprit more often than not. Might just need some reseating.
6. Could Be the Generator
If you don’t spot any wiring issues, the problem could be with the induction cooker’s generator. That takes some advanced skills to troubleshoot though. At that point, calling in an appliance pro is probably the wise move.
How to fix unresponsive touch buttons on an induction cooker
Three quick tips here!
Give the Buttons a Good Cleaning
First step is to clean the button contacts to make sure grime or residue isn’t causing the issue. Power off the induction cooker and use a soft cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol to gently rub the button pads. Give them a good scrubbing to remove any built-up grease or dirt that could impede connectivity.
Inspect for Obstructions or Gaps
While cleaning, check for any obstruction or noticeable gap between the touchpad surface and induction cooktop glass. Crumbs, spills, or debris lodged in there can block button presses. Carefully pick out anything stuck with tweezers. Any separation between pad and glass can mean the touch control is loose and needs reseating.
When to Replace the Control Unit
If a thorough cleaning doesn’t get the buttons working again, the touch control unit itself is likely faulty and needs replacement. On some models the touch unit is integrated and requires swapping the whole cooktop glass. On others, the control module is removable/replaceable. Consult your appliance manual for touch control replacement instructions specific to your induction cooker.
Touch button issues that cleaning and part replacement don’t remedy may require professional appliance repair. The internal electronics could be malfunctioning and will need diagnosis by an experienced technician. They have the skills and tools to properly inspect connections, test components, and source replacement parts in order to get your induction cooker’s touch controls working smoothly again.
Induction Cooker Repair Tips
Most manufacturers have steps that you can follow while repairing induction cooktops. But note that induction cooktops cannot be repaired by people who are not familiar with its technical aspects. This is because most of its parts, including the buttons, involve complex mechanics that cannot be handled by an unskilled person.
But you have been repairing your sockets, gas cooktops, and fans? Well, this does not mean you can repair induction cooktops. Induction cooktops are complex machines and far more different from other electrical devices, which have simple mechanics in the kitchen.
Can You Repair Induction Cooktops?
Yes. But you have to take keen note before trying to repair your induction cooktop. What you should keep in mind is that you are limited to what you can fix in your induction cooktop by the knowledge you have about it.
Therefore, if you have a problem with your induction cooktop, call your induction cooktop’s brand technical after-sale service, and describe to them the issue. But before you call an expert, you can go through the manual if a solution to the problem you are facing is listed in it.
Note: an induction cooktop that is severely damaged may not be repaired. You might have to replace it. Before you consider repairing your induction cooktop, compare the cost of fully repairing the induction cooktop with that of purchasing a new one. The reason we are saying this is that sometimes you will find the cost of the repair almost equals its purchase cost.
How do I Make Your Cooktop Safe Around Children?
Since most induction stoves are activated by touch, sometimes you will not want this to happen. These induction stoves only produce heat when a magnetic material is placed on it. If you have kids, you must think about how you can deactivate your touch panel to keep them away from your children. Induction cooktops come with sorts of control/child lock functions that you can use to ensure your cooktop won’t be activated by touch.
If your induction stove power button not working, it could be because you activated a control lock function. So, if you find your buttons not responding, your induction is under control lock, and therefore, you should unlock it.
For you to unlock your induction stove, find where your induction lock button is. You will find the button having a key symbol. If you don’t find it, consult the manual to find the symbol used to represent the lock buttons on your induction stove. Once you find the button, press it down for at least 5 seconds. The unit will make a sound, and the display light will go off.
If you press the buttons after unlocking your induction cooktop and nothing happens, you may want to call someone to repair your induction cooktop. Before you get a technician to fix your cooktop, you can try resetting your device. Are you worried about resetting it? It is a straightforward procedure.
Just go to your circuit breaker, and shut off the power to your induction cooktop. Leave it off for at least 30 seconds. Turn it on again, and you will have to reset your induction cooktop. If the problem persists, please contact an expert for further diagnosis of the problem.
How Do You Unlock an Induction Hob?
So you are cleaning your induction hob as you usually do and hear a beep sound coming from it. You panic and try to switch on your cooktop, but it won’t work. What do you do?
Well, don’t worry; your help is at hand. Suppose your hob has a key symbol, press and hold the key symbol for at least 4 seconds. The lock should now be deactivated, and you will continue enjoying your cooking.
If your hob doesn’t have a key button, find where the P symbol is on your induction. After finding it, press the symbol for at least 3 seconds to deactivate the childproof lock in your hob.
If the hob you are using doesn’t have both the key and the P button, find the L symbol and press and hold it for at least 3 seconds. Here you will be able to deactivate the childproof long in your hob.
If you don’t find the buttons mentioned above, or they fail to work, try resetting your induction hob. You can do this by going to the circuit breaker supplying power to your hob. Put it off for at least 30 seconds, then turn it on again. Your induction hob must be unlocked now.
Why Is My Induction Cooktop Beeping?
| Possible Reasons | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Cookware Not Compatible | Your cookware might not have the right magnetic properties for the induction cooktop to function correctly, causing it to beep as a safety measure. |
| 2. Cookware Placement | Incorrectly placed cookware, or cookware that’s too small for the cooking zone, can trigger the beep to alert you to reposition it properly. |
| 3. Overheating | Induction cooktops have overheating protection. If the surface gets too hot, it may beep to warn of potential damage or injury. |
| 4. Residual Heat | Some models beep when the cooktop surface is still hot after cooking. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental burns. |
| 5. Child Lock | If the child lock feature is activated, the cooktop may beep to indicate that it’s locked and not responsive to controls. |
| 6. Error Codes | Internal issues or malfunctions in the cooktop can trigger specific error codes and beeping to signal a problem that needs attention. |
If your induction cooktop keeps beeping, it means that either an object, liquid, or soil is putting some pressure on the control panel. In this case, you should try cleaning the control panel area of your induction cooktop.
If the problem persists, it might be indicating that there is no induction cookware on your cooktop. Having a pan on your cooktop but are confused about what we are saying? Well, what you have to do is to check whether the cookware you are using is induction compatible.
If it is not induction compatible, it will be beeping to show you that you are using the wrong cookware on your induction hob.
Wrapping Up
If your buttons fail to work, you can follow the tips highlighted above as a guide to solve your problem without damaging your induction cooktop. In case you try the steps, but your buttons keep being unresponsive, contact an experienced induction cooktop technician to diagnose the problem and fix it if possible.
Common Questions
Why did my induction cooker buttons suddenly stop working?
Faulty touch controls, loose wiring, and defective circuit boards are common reasons induction cooker buttons malfunction. Issues like low power or improper grounding can also cause operation problems.
When do I need to call an appliance repair person for button issues?
If you’ve checked wiring, connections, and touch controls but buttons still don’t work, the internal electronics may be faulty. Contact an appliance repair technician at that point for advanced diagnosis and repairs.
What causes intermittent issues with induction cooker buttons?
Damaged wires that make intermittent contact, weak solder joints, cracked circuit boards, and loose internal connections can all cause buttons to work only sometimes.
