6 reasons why one side of the induction hob is not powered & detailed troubleshooting methods

The situation of one side of the induction hob not receiving power interrupts cooking and affects the user experience. This issue often arises from mistakes in operation or malfunctioning internal components due to low-quality hobs. This article will suggest 6 common causes and provide detailed troubleshooting guidance to help the hob operate more smoothly.

Incorrectly activated cooking zone or wrong control operation

This is the most common reason users mistakenly believe that one side of the induction hob is not receiving power, especially for those who have just switched from a single hob to a double hob, or from using gas hobs to induction hobs.

• Cause: Modern induction hobs often require separate activation of each cooking zone after turning on the main power. Due to habit, users sometimes only turn on the main power button but do not select the correct cooking zone icon on the left or right. Additionally, touching the buttons too quickly, too lightly, or having wet hands can also prevent the control system from receiving commands, leading to the situation where the induction hob cannot be turned on even though the household’s main electrical system is completely normal.
• Signs to recognize: The power light is still on, the other cooking zone is functioning normally, but the faulty side does not respond with heat.
• How to fix: You need to follow the correct procedure: Press the ON/OFF button on the cooking zone you want to use -> Adjust the power level or cooking mode accordingly.

Note: Always ensure your fingers are dry and operate decisively in the center of the button icon. If you operate correctly but the hob still does not power on, the device may have encountered a more serious issue, causing the induction hob not to receive power at all. If the hob has an automatic pot size detection feature, make sure you place the pot on it before adjusting the temperature, as the hob will not operate if it cannot detect a suitable pot.

Faulty control panel light

In this case, the current is still being transmitted to the induction coil to generate heat, but due to the control panel light being faulty, users cannot observe the signal, leading to the misunderstanding that the hob has completely lost power.

• Cause: Low-quality induction hobs often use standard LED bulbs and lack insulating material layers to protect between the induction coil and the display circuit board. After a short period of use, excess heat accumulation from the cooking zone will directly affect the display circuit board located right underneath, causing overheating that burns out the LED bulbs or breaks the connection circuit.
• Signs to recognize: The cooking zone still generates heat to warm the pot as usual, however, the displayed temperature readings are completely dark or show unclear broken lines.
• How to fix: Since this is a fault in the control panel light, which does not directly affect electrical safety, you can temporarily continue cooking. However, to ensure accurate observation and control of power, you should contact the technical department to replace the display LED strip.

Faulty control panel

The control panel is the component that receives commands directly from the user to coordinate the operation of each cooking zone. If this component encounters a localized issue, the corresponding cooking zone will not be able to start even though the main power supply is stable.

• Cause: In lower-end hob models, the hob casing is often not tightly sealed, allowing moisture or steam to penetrate and oxidize the contacts beneath the glass surface, causing the touch buttons on one side of the hob to become unresponsive.
• How to fix: First, use a dry cloth to clean the entire glass surface. If the control panel still does not respond, turn off the hob’s circuit breaker for 20 minutes and then turn it back on. If the issue persists, you need to contact the warranty service to replace the touch circuit board.

Sensor or circuit board failure of one cooking zone

If operational errors have been ruled out and the issue of one side of the induction hob not receiving power persists, it is likely that the device has encountered a fault with the power components in the circuit board system.

• Technical cause: IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) is the most important component that performs the function of switching high-frequency current on and off. This is also a typical sign when the induction hob has a power failure due to frequently operating at maximum heat or due to low-quality components that cannot withstand high loads. In low-quality hobs, this component often lacks a clear origin, has poor load-bearing capacity, and is prone to short-circuiting when operating at high power continuously, leading to the common situation of the induction hob not pulsing.
• How to fix: Turn off the hob’s circuit breaker and wait at least 15 – 20 minutes (this time allows the capacitors on the circuit board to discharge any remaining energy), then turn the circuit breaker back on. If the error persists upon restarting, do not attempt to disassemble the device yourself; call the warranty service to check the genuine components.

Faulty induction coil

The induction coil plays a role in creating a magnetic field to interact with the bottom of the pot to generate heat. When the induction coil encounters a fault, that cooking zone will completely lose its ability to operate.

• Cause: The wiring from the power circuit board to the induction coil may be loose, broken due to physical impact, or the coil may be burned out due to prolonged overheating.
• How to fix: A professional technician is needed to use measuring equipment to check the continuity of the coil and replace the coil if structural damage is found.

Faulty internal fuse

The internal fuse is a smart safety mechanism designed in high-end hob models to protect the main circuit board and electrical system.

• Cause: In the circuit diagram of high-end hobs, each cooking zone is usually equipped with a separate thermal fuse. When that cooking zone operates under overload or when there are sudden fluctuations in the power supply, the fuse will automatically disconnect (break) to prevent the current from causing a fire in the copper coil.
• How to fix: Replacing the fuse with a new one that meets the technical specifications by a professional will help the hob operate normally again.

Note: This operation requires removing the machine cover and directly intervening in the circuit board, so you should not attempt to do it at home. Please call a professional technician to ensure safety and avoid technical errors that could cause further damage to the device.

5 important notes when encountering the issue of one side of the induction hob not receiving power

To ensure user safety and extend the lifespan of the device, you need to remember the following handling principles when encountering the issue of one side of the induction hob not receiving power:

• One side of the induction hob not receiving power is not due to a power supply fault: If the power cord or socket encounters an issue, both cooking zones will usually not receive power simultaneously.
• Do not continuously attempt to turn on the faulty cooking zone when the hob is unresponsive: Forcing the hob to operate when the system is faulty or when the load supply for the induction hob is flickering will cause the circuit board to continuously switch on and off, which can easily lead to burning out internal power components.
• Do not unplug the power supply immediately after the hob has just operated or reported an error: After cooking, wait for the cooling fan to stop completely before cutting off the power to allow the components to cool down to a safe temperature.
• Do not disassemble the hob to check internal components if you lack expertise: Incorrect technical intervention can pose electrical hazards and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Stop using the hob when there are abnormal signs: If you smell burning or hear strange noises, you need to cut off the power immediately to prevent the fire hazard from spreading to the other cooking zones.

Above are the 6 causes and the most effective solutions for the situation of one side of the induction hob not receiving power along with some notes when encountering this issue. We hope this article has provided useful information to help you quickly identify the fault and have a safe remedy to avoid interrupting your cooking.