Help! My induction hob cannot detect my pan. If you’ve ever had this problem, you know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to cook and your induction hob refuses to detect a pan.
There are many reasons why an induction hob might fail to detect a pan, the first and second reasons listed below are by far the most common we’ve seen, they’re also the easiest to fix. Hopefully one of these two fixes will have you cooking in no time!
Induction Hob Cannot Detect Pan – Causes and Solutions
1. Your Pan Isn’t Made of Ferrous Metal
Did you do a pan check before you tried to cook with your new hob? Induction hobs use an induction cooking technique that generates heat through magnets. That means that your pan needs to have a base made of ferrous metal.
Your hob simply won’t turn on if it doesn’t have the right pan. Confirm that the pan you’re cooking with is an induction-compatible pan by looking for the induction symbol on the bottom (most induction pans have this).
Pans made of cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel should work just fine. Popular pan options like aluminium and copper actually don’t work with induction cooking by default, but there are some that have been created with magnetic bases in order to be induction compatible.
If you don’t currently own induction pans, you have the option of either buying new pans or purchasing induction discs that sit between your hob and incompatible pan.
2. Your Hob Is in Lock Mode
If you’re using a new cooktop for the first time, you may not be familiar enough with the design of the hob to recognize that it’s actually in lock mode. This is one of the most common reasons why an induction hob may have trouble detecting a pan.
If your hob has something called a “lock mode” or “control lock function” in its programming, there’s a good chance it’s activated. These settings prevent your hob from being turned on using your control panel for safety and/or energy-efficiency purposes.
The typical fix for getting an induction hob out of lock mode is to hold the lock button down for a few seconds. This should create an audible sound that lets you know the lock is now deactivated.
Of course, directions for how to deactivate lock mode vary by hob model. Always take a look at your hob’s instruction manual to see how to disable lock mode before playing around with your cooktop.
3. There’s a Lag in the Power Supply
The electromagnetic field created during induction cooking needs electricity to work. If the power source connected to your hob isn’t reliable, your hob may not turn on.
Verify that your circuit breaker has not “tripped” by physically inspecting the box to ensure that the switch is not stuck between the “on” and “off” positions. Always consult with a professional electrician if there appears to be an issue with your breaker.
4. Your Hob Was Installed Incorrectly
It’s also possible that the power connection to your hob was set up incorrectly. The connection needs to be secure in order for a hob to work. You should also confirm that no damage to the wiring, copper coil, or glass top could be creating a power rift.
Inspect the terminal block located at the back of your hob to confirm that you don’t see any damage. You should also confirm that the screws on your hob’s terminal block are tightened, fully intact, and fully connected to the correct connection points.
5. Your Hob Has Malfunctioned
If you’ve confirmed that the cause isn’t “environmental” in nature, there’s a good chance that it may be a technical error. Like all appliances, induction hobs are vulnerable to malfunctions. It’s possible that one of the coils under your induction burner has cracked.
The only way to inspect for this type of damage is to remove your cooktop’s glass surface. This is something that should be done by a qualified professional because you could cause further damage to the hob or injure yourself.
6. Your Hob’s Power Board Is Defective
A broken coil under the glass isn’t the only likely source of malfunction for an induction hob. It’s also possible that your hob’s circuit board is the culprit.
Unfortunately, a malfunctioning circuit board will need to be replaced. In most cases, the complexity of a replacement requires some professional assistance to ensure that you’re not damaging your hob in the process.
7. There’s Debris or Grease on Your Control Panel
Don’t give up until you try this last fix! Check to see if your controls are looking a little grimy. It is possible that residue on your control panel is actually causing it to be less sensitive.
Give your control panel a thorough wipe down if your induction hob cannot detect a pan, sometimes that’s all it takes to get things working again.
Summing up
As you can see, the reasons why an induction hob may not be working can range from simply using the wrong pan to a more complicated manufacturer defect.
As a hob owner, knowing the basics of troubleshooting a broken induction hob can save you from frustration.
While it’s great to be able to have an idea of what might be wrong with your hob, it’s also important to practice patience when it comes to getting your hob fixed instead of rushing into a fix that could damage your hob even more. Always consult a repair expert when all else fails!