Something’s not right. You’re ready to cook, but your electric range or cooktop has other plans. Don’t panic – while it may be necessary for you to call Prairie Electric if issues persist, you can troubleshoot on your own first and perhaps remedy the problem with a few simple steps.
A note about safety: troubleshooting your electric oven before scheduling a service call can be incredibly useful, saving you money and time. However, never even consider any step that puts you in contact with frayed wiring, overheated or burnt outlets, or the inner workings of your appliance. If in doubt, contact our team immediately. Your safety is most important.
Electric Range Troubleshooting Steps:
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Has the breaker flipped? Check your electrical panel to see if the breaker has flipped. Flip it back on again to see if this causes the range or cooktop to regain function. This simple check can save you hours of frustration, and applies to any situation in which an electrical appliance stops working without apparent cause.
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Check the plug-ins. Is the range power cord securely plugged into the outlet? Note: ranges and cooktops consume too much electricity to run through extension cords. Check to be sure this cord is plugged snugly into a wall outlet.
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Is the power cord in good shape? If wires are visible through the rubber or sharp crimps where the cord has worn down, this could be causing the problem. Call Prairie if you can see any exposed wires, to prevent electrocution and other serious issues.
- Bulbs needed. If the burners warm up but the indicator light remains off, you will need to replace the bulbs.
- Are the other burners working? Turn burners on one at a time to see if the problem is just one burner or more. Sometimes just tightening the connections can make your range functional once again. If the problem isn’t obvious, it’s time to take the next step:
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Survey the whole unit. First, turn the breaker off and unplug the unit. Access the fuses for each heating element (check your appliance manual for guidance). Are your fuses smoking, burnt, or otherwise worn down? These can be replaced by an electrician, or a savvy DIYer. If there are wires that are merely loose, wrap them around the screw terminal and secure by tightening. If you see corrosion, gently clean the terminal with a wire brush and reconnect the wires. Note that any damaged wiring requires professional assessment and likely replacement by an electrician.
Your electrical range or cooktop can work for years without issue. However, when problems come up, you need effective solutions. Our experienced technicians are ready to help. While we encourage you to troubleshoot using the above tips, your safety is our number one concern.
Call us with any questions or concerns, or to schedule a service call in the Vancouver, Ridgefield, or Pasco area.
