7 Most Common Stove Problems and How to Fix Them

When your stove stops working, it can throw your entire routine into chaos. Whether it’s a burner that won’t heat, a gas flame that keeps flickering out, or a glass-top control panel that’s completely unresponsive, these issues usually happen at the worst possible time, right before dinner or when you have guests coming over. Stove issues are not just frustrating, they’re inconvenient, and in some cases, even dangerous.

At ASAP Appliance Repair, we’ve worked with homeowners across Greater Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey, North Vancouver, and beyond, who’ve dealt with all types of stove problems. And we can say with certainty: most of them could have been solved faster (and cheaper) with the right information early on.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common stove issues we see on the job every week. Whether you own a gas, electric, glass-top, or induction stove, we’ll help you understand what’s going wrong, what you can do about it, and when it’s time to bring in professional help.

1. One of the Most Common Stove Issues: Burner Won’t Heat Up

One of the most frequent stove issues we get called for is a burner that just refuses to heat. This can happen in both electric and glass-top models. You might notice the coil stays cold, the indicator light doesn’t turn on, or in some cases, only part of the burner gets warm.

Common causes:

• Burned-out surface element
• Loose or corroded wiring
• Faulty burner switch (infinite switch)
• Failed control board or relay
• Cooktop thermal limiter tripping (common in glass-top units)

What you can try:

Start by swapping the burner with another one of the same size. If the new burner works, it’s likely just the element. If not, you could be dealing with a faulty switch or wiring. For glass cooktops, unfortunately, there’s very little you can do without removing the top panel, and those often require specialized tools. If you see discoloration or hear a popping sound when trying to turn the burner on, stop using it immediately and consider scheduling a stove repair service nearby to avoid electrical damage or further breakdowns.

Call for help if:

• The issue is affecting multiple burners
• There’s no heat but the control light stays on
• You’re dealing with a glass or induction model, these have complex sensors and boards

2. Gas Burner Clicking but Not Igniting

Another common stove issue with gas units is constant clicking with no flame. You hear the igniter sparking repeatedly, but the burner never lights, or only lights after a long delay. Some homeowners also report a strong gas smell during this problem, which adds urgency and risk.

What typically causes it:

• Dirty or clogged burner ports
• Misaligned or wet igniters
• Faulty ignition switch
• Moisture under the knobs from spills or cleaning
• Failing spark module or cracked igniter wire

What you can do:

First, make sure all burner caps are properly seated. If they’re off-center, the spark may not hit the gas stream. Clean the ports with a pin or toothpick, making sure nothing is blocking them. If your stove was recently cleaned or had something spilled on it, moisture could be shorting the igniter. Let it dry completely, or use a hairdryer on low heat to speed things up.

When to bring in a professional repairman:

• You’ve cleaned everything, and it’s still clicking or silent
• You smell gas while trying to ignite
• The clicking continues even when all burners are off

Gas stove issues like constant clicking or delayed ignition could indicate a deeper problem. We also offer gas stove repair across Vancouver. We regularly fix these issues on GE, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, and KitchenAid gas stoves. Spark modules often fail after 5–7 years, and it’s something we carry in stock for same-day repairs in most Vancouver neighborhoods.

3. Weak or Uneven Flame on a Gas Stove

An uneven or small flame is not just annoying, it’s a cooking hazard. Food doesn’t cook properly, and depending on the flame color, you may not be getting clean combustion.

What’s happening:

• Blocked gas orifices
• Worn burner heads
• Incorrect air-to-gas ratio
• Faulty regulator or low gas pressure
• Improperly seated burner caps

Quick checks:

Make sure each burner cap is placed correctly and not wobbly. Use a stiff brush or toothbrush to clean out any gunk or carbon buildup. Yellow or flickering flames usually mean the air intake is obstructed or the gas pressure is too low.

Situations that require professional help:

• Consistently small or noisy flame
• Yellow or orange tips
• Flame goes out randomly during cooking

These types of stove issues are common in homes with aging gas lines or recently installed stoves that weren’t properly adjusted. We’ve handled these in newer condos in downtown Vancouver and in older homes in East Van where regulators sometimes need updating.

4. Electric Stove Burners Stay Cold

In electric coil stoves, a non-heating burner usually points to either a blown coil or a bad receptacle.

Why it happens:

• Burned-out coil (especially common in older units)
• Loose connection in the socket
• Defective infinite switch
• Faulty internal wiring or circuit

You can swap coils between burners to test whether it’s the coil or something deeper. If the same spot still doesn’t work after swapping, it’s likely the switch or receptacle.

Maytag, Amana, Samsung, and Kenmore stoves often have known issues with surface element receptacles burning out after 5–10 years.

5. Digital Stove Issues: When Touch Controls Stop Working

Glass-top or induction cooktops use sensitive touch controls that can glitch or lock up. This is especially common with Samsung, LG, Bosch, and Whirlpool models.

What’s usually to blame:

• Control lock accidentally enabled
• Power interruption or electrical surge
• Faulty touch panel
• Damaged control board

What you can do:

Try resetting the stove by unplugging it for 10 minutes. If the “Control Lock” or “Child Lock” light is on, refer to your manual to turn it off. In many Whirlpool and Samsung models, holding the “Start” or “Lock” button for 3–5 seconds will do it.

When it’s beyond DIY:

• Touchpad doesn’t respond at all
• You see error codes on the screen
• Only some buttons work

These control boards are delicate, and once they go, full replacement is often required. We’ve seen multiple LG and GE models in the North Shore have similar symptoms due to sensor board corrosion.

6. Stove Keeps Clicking or Sparking When Off

Continuous clicking, even when you’re not using the stove, is a red flag. It usually means moisture or a short is causing the igniter switch to fire non-stop.

Causes include:

• Liquid or steam under knobs
• Faulty ignition switch
• Shorted wire or control board failure

Try unplugging the unit overnight or drying the control knobs area. If the clicking resumes when power is restored, there’s an electrical fault that needs professional inspection.

This problem is one of the most common post-cleaning stove issues we get called for in Burnaby and Richmond.

7. Stove Issues That Cause Your Unit to Shut Off Mid-Cooking

When your stove powers down during cooking, the issue could be heat-related. Glass-top and induction models especially are prone to tripping internal limiters.

Possible reasons:

• Overheating sensor triggered
• Poor ventilation or blocked airflow
• Loose internal connection
• Malfunctioning thermal fuse

This is common in newer Samsung and Bosch models with digital touch control panels. Make sure there’s airflow around the unit and avoid using oversized pots that trap heat around the sensors.

We’ve had cases in Coquitlam where thermal limiters were replaced on-site in under an hour with OEM parts.

Stove Issues by Error Codes in Different Brands

If you see one of these codes, write it down before unplugging the stove. Don’t try to override it unless you know what it means, some codes indicate potentially dangerous faults.

Get Professional Help for Stove Issues in Greater Vancouver

Dealing with stove issues can throw off your entire day. Whether you’re struggling with a gas burner that won’t ignite, electric coils that won’t heat, or a glass cooktop that keeps shutting down mid-use, these are problems that need immediate attention, and experienced hands.

At ASAP Appliance Repair, we’ve helped homeowners across Greater Vancouver fix stove issues quickly and affordably. From modern high-rise condos in downtown Vancouver to single-family homes in Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, and beyond, we’re trusted for our fast response, quality repairs, and genuine replacement parts.

We service all major stove brands including Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, GE, Frigidaire, Bosch, and Maytag. Our team is trained to diagnose and fix everything from igniter failures to control board malfunctions, giving you peace of mind that your stove will be back in working order, often the very same day.

Don’t wait for small stove issues to become expensive repairs or safety risks. Whether it’s constant clicking, unresponsive burners, or heating problems, we’re ready to help.