Fixing Hobs: Quick How‑To Guide for Common Issues

If your hob isn’t heating or a burner won’t turn on, you’re probably wondering if you can fix it yourself or need a pro. The good news is many hob problems are simple to diagnose and repair. Below we walk through the most common faults, give you step‑by‑step fixes, and explain typical repair costs so you can decide what’s worth doing yourself.

Spot the Symptom, Find the Cause

First, note exactly what’s wrong. Does the whole hob stay cold? Is it just one burner? Do the control knobs feel loose or unresponsive? Write down any error codes or unusual smells. Most electric hobs have three usual culprits:

• Faulty heating element – the coil or ceramic part that actually gets hot.
• Bad control board – the electronic brain that tells the element when to heat.
• Loose wiring or bad connection – a loose screw or corroded terminal can stop power flow.

When you know the symptom, you can target the fix without pulling everything apart.

DIY Fixes You Can Try

1. Reset the hob: Turn off the circuit breaker for a minute, then switch it back on. Many hiccups are just a software glitch that clears with a power cycle.

2. Test the element: Unplug the hob, remove the burner cap, and use a multimeter on the resistance setting. A healthy element reads around 20‑30 Ω. If it’s infinite or zero, the element is dead and needs replacement.

3. Check the wiring: Look for loose screws, burnt marks, or frayed wires behind the control panel. Tighten any loose connections and replace any damaged wire.

4. Inspect the control board: If the element and wiring are fine, the board may be at fault. Look for bulging capacitors or scorch marks. Swapping in a known‑good board (often $80‑$150) is the fastest test.

These steps cover about 80 % of hob failures. If you’re comfortable with basic tools and a multimeter, you can finish most jobs in under an hour.

When to call a professional: If the board needs replacement, you’re not sure about the electrical work, or the hob still won’t work after the checks, it’s safer to call a repair service. Mishandling high‑voltage components can be dangerous.

Typical repair costs in Mumbai range from ₹1,200 for a simple reset or wiring fix to ₹4,500‑₹7,000 for a new control board or heating element. Labor usually adds ₹800‑₹1,200. Knowing these numbers helps you weigh repair against buying a new hob, especially if the unit is older than ten years.

Bottom line: most hob issues are easy to spot and many can be fixed with a few tools. Start with a power reset, test the element, check connections, and only then consider board replacement or professional help. This approach saves you time, money, and a lot of kitchen frustration.