You turn on the front-left burner to simmer some sauce. Suddenly, it heats like it’s on high, burning everything in the pan. Or maybe the opposite happens. You crank it up and nothing seems to happen at all. You wait and wait, but it just won’t get hot enough to cook anything.

This is one of the most frustrating problems with electric ranges, and we hear about it all the time from families in Charlotte, Matthews, Concord, and Indian Trail. The good news is that you don’t need to replace your entire range. In most cases, this is a fixable issue. But it does need to be handled correctly, because inconsistent burner performance can lead to more expensive repairs, and even safety hazards down the road.

Common Reasons Range Burners Overheat or Don’t Adjust

1. The Burner Switch Has Failed

Every electric burner is controlled by a switch behind the knob. That switch sends power to the element and controls how much current flows through it. When the switch fails, it can get stuck in the “on” position, which causes the burner to blast high heat no matter what setting you choose. Or it may fail to send enough power, which makes the burner seem weak or unresponsive.

This is especially common in ranges from Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire that are five to ten years old. If the burner heats but won’t adjust, there’s a good chance this is the part that needs replacing.

2. The Burner Element Is Damaged or Worn Out

On coil-top ranges, the metal coil itself can wear out over time. Cracks in the coil, cold spots, or weak performance usually mean the element has failed internally. In glass-top and ceramic ranges, the radiant or induction element under the surface may short out or overheat unevenly. If only one burner is acting up and the others seem fine, this could be your issue.

3. The Connection Between the Burner and Receptacle Is Loose or Burned

For plug-in coil burners, there’s a metal connection block called a receptacle under each element. If that connection becomes loose, corroded, or scorched, it can cause the burner to heat erratically or not respond to the knob. Sometimes it’s visibly blackened or melted. If you smell burning plastic or see sparks when you turn the burner on, stop using it and have it inspected right away.

4. Control Board Malfunctions on Smart or Glass-Top Ranges

Many newer ranges rely on a central control board to send signals to the burners. If the board malfunctions, your burners might stay on longer than they should, ignore settings, or refuse to heat at all. We’ve seen this on several LG, Samsung, and KitchenAid models in the Charlotte area. Power surges, moisture damage, or just wear and tear can cause the board to misbehave.

5. Wiring Issues Inside the Range or Wall Outlet

If you’ve had recent electrical work done or noticed flickering lights or other power issues in your kitchen, damaged or loose wiring could be the problem. A bad ground or voltage imbalance can lead to abnormal burner performance. This is more common in older homes in neighborhoods like Myers Park or Dilworth, where kitchen outlets may not be up to modern specs.

What You Can Try First

• Unplug the range for 10 minutes and plug it back in to reset the electronics
• Switch the burner with another of the same size (on coil models) to see if the problem follows the burner or stays with the position
• Gently wiggle the burner while it’s off to check for loose connections
• Check if other burners have issues, if more than one is acting up, it’s likely internal
• Listen for clicking, buzzing, or crackling when you turn the dial

If your range is still under warranty, call the manufacturer before attempting any repairs yourself. If it’s out of warranty, a qualified technician can test each component safely and accurately to pinpoint the real issue.

Professional Burner Repair Across Charlotte

At Just Call Appliance Repair, we’ve repaired hundreds of ranges with burner problems across Charlotte, Ballantyne, Steele Creek, and Monroe. We bring the tools and parts to diagnose faulty burner switches, test resistance on coil elements, and replace control boards when needed.

Whether it’s one burner or the whole range acting up, we’ll walk you through the repair process, explain exactly what’s wrong, and fix it the right way the first time. No guesswork. No unnecessary part swaps.

Book your range burner repair right here or call us today to schedule a technician anywhere in the greater Charlotte area.

FAQs: Range Burners Heating Incorrectly

Why does my range burner stay on high heat?

Most of the time, this is caused by a faulty infinite switch that keeps sending full power to the element regardless of the dial setting.

Can I fix a burner that won’t adjust heat?

You can test coil burners by swapping positions, but if the problem is the switch or the board, it’s safer and more efficient to have a technician handle the repair.

Are glass-top burner problems more expensive to fix?

In general, yes. Radiant and induction burners are more complex and built into the surface. Replacing them requires disassembling the range and sometimes removing the glass cooktop itself.

Is it safe to keep using a burner that overheats?

No. An overheating burner can damage cookware, melt surrounding components, or start an electrical fire. Stop using it until it’s repaired.

How long does burner repair take?

Most burner issues can be diagnosed in one visit and repaired within 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the part and the range model.