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GE Profile cooktop burner not working
Common reasons your GE Profile cooktop burner is not working
The most common reasons your GE Profile cooktop burner is not working are a cracked igniter switch, broken igniter or a cracked main top.
65% of the time it's the Igniter Switch
15% of the time it's the Igniter
14% of the time it's the Main Top
6% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE Profile cooktop
Igniter Switch Replacement
A faulty infinite switch is a common cause for a cooktop burner not working. The infinite switch controls current going to the element. When an internal electrical contact in the infinite switch breaks, no current will go the burner when you turn the burner on. It’s difficult to tell whether an infinite switch is faulty. Have a Sears Home Services Expert examine your cooktop and replace the infinite switch if it’s defective. The technician will also check for damage to wiring or the element that could be caused by a faulty infinite switch when making the repair.
Igniter Replacement
A broken igniter will prevent a burner from lighting on the cooktop. When you turn a burner knob to the Light position, the spark module sends current through the igniter electrode to create a spark and light the burner. A broken igniter won’t create a spark between the tip of its electrode and the burner head to ignite the gas. Accessing the igniter is difficult in many gas cooktops. Have a Sears Home Services professional replace the broken igniter so the burner works properly.
Main Top Replacement
A cracked main top will allow spills to reach the burner wiring connections and element. This can cause the element to short out and stop working. The house circuit breaker for the cooktop may trip when a short occurs. A short in a burner can also damage a burner switch to prevent the surface element from heating even after you replace the element. Have a Sears Home Services Technician examine the entire cooktop to check for additional problems when replacing the main top.
Why is my GE Profile cooktop burner not working?
When a gas burner isn’t working, a failed igniter switch or bad igniter electrode could be causing the failure.
Follow these troubleshooting tips when you have a gas burner not working.
Clean the surface burner
Food spills on the surface burner head can prevent the electrode from igniting the burner.
With the burner cool to the touch, clean the igniter electrode and burner head to make sure the ignition port is clear so the surface burner lights properly.
Here’s a video that shows how to clean gas burners including the ignition port on the burner heads:
Cleaning the burner head and especially the ignition port on that burner head may fix the burner ignition failure.
Examine the burner igniter electrode
Check the burner igniter electrode for cracks or damage. If the electrode doesn’t spark after cleaning the electrode and burner head, you’ll likely need to replace the igniter electrode.
Follow the steps in this illustrated repair guide to replace the igniter electrode:
How to replace a range spark igniter electrode
Check the burner ignition switch
When you don’t hear the ticking of the spark igniter as you turn a burner control knob to the “Lite” position, a bad burner ignition switch could be causing the problem.
The burner switch sends electrical current to the spark ignition module which then sends current to the igniter electrode to spark and light the burner.
On many ranges, the replacement ignition switches and their wire harness that connects to the spark ignition module are all one complete part assembly and you can’t buy a burner switch separately. Check the parts list diagram for your range to determine whether you can replace a single burner ignition switch or the burner switches are only available as a complete assembly.
If the replacement part is only available as a complete burner ignition switch assembly, then you’ll need to unplug the range, shut off the gas supply and replace that part when a single switch won’t ignite a burner.
Replacing a gas stove burner ignition switch assembly is a fairly complicated repair to complete on your own. If you are considering tackling this repair yourself, review this illustrated procedure to determine whether you think you can complete the repair on your own:
How to replace a range spark igniter switch
Only attempt this repair if you’re completely confident that you can safely complete the repair on your own. Unplug the stove and shut off the gas supply before attempting the repair on your own.
If you’re not completely confident that you can complete this repair on your own, schedule appliance repair and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the burner ignition failure.
Why is the burner on my cooktop not working?
To find and fix the cause of an electric surface element not working on your cooktop or range, follow the troubleshooting steps in this helpful and safe DIY repair video:
This video will walk you through tests for the infinite burner control switch, surface radiant element and wiring so you can determine why the burner isn’t working and fix the problem.
If you’re unable to find and fix the cause of the surface element failure on your own, schedule repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the problem.
What to expect when you experience a GE Profile cooktop burner not working issue
How is the burner not working problem fixed?
Correcting most burner not working problems usually involves replacing the igniter switch, igniter or main top. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
When you need GE cooktop repair, choose Sears Home Services as your trusted service provider.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a cooktop burner that is not working
When the cooktop burner is not working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of cooktop failures.
What to look out for with a cooktop burner not working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your cooktop problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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fixed my oven within minutes!
i had previously had a technician out 3 times in the past 1 1/2 years, who was chosen by my home warranty company. The oven never worked, it was always a temporary fix. Shareef listened to the issues i was having and what i thought was the problem and fixed it within minutes! The oven works perfectly now, it does not turn on and off any longer and all 4 burners are hot. He was personable, efficient, and a true professional.
Julie B, Mt Pleasant, SC
He tried
Sometimes things don't work out as planned. Tim tried to fix my oven. Previous guy misdiagnosed the problem. So i am still without. Tim tried and communicated with me about the issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
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A thermocouple is a sensor used for measuring temperature, consisting of two different metal wires joined at one end, which generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes.