No Power

• If your cooktop won't power on, verify that you have selected a cooking temperature. Additionally, both electric and many gas cooktops require electricity to work. See if the cooktop is plugged into an outlet, and, if possible, test the outlet with portable device, such as a lamp, to see if it is working. Turn the gas supply valve to the "On" position and contact your gas supply company if the gas supply is low or cutoff. Examine your home's circuit breakers or fuses, and reset the circuit breaker if it was tripped. Change out any fuses that are black or broken. Open the main cooktop housing, and see if any of the wire connections are broken or corroded. If so, purchase new wires and resolder the connections.
  
  

Won't Start

• If you have a gas cooktop, push in and hold the knob to the "Light" setting until the burner lights. If the burner doesn't light and the burner ports are dirty, clean them; cooking residue may be blocking the gas from lighting. If you own an electric stove with coil burners, remove the coil from the recess; clean the recess if it is extremely dirty. Verify that the coil is properly positioned in the recess, and reposition if necessary. If the coil is burnt-out or broken, replace it. If you have a ceramic cooktop and it won't start, contact a service technician. Such repairs are complicated for most consumers to complete.
  
  

Cooking Issues

• If your burner is too hot, verify that you are using the correct pan size for the burner. The pan must be the same size or slightly larger than the burner. If the food is cooking unevenly, see if the food is properly distributed in the pan or use a level to check that your range or cooktop is level. If not, level the floor underneath the range. If your have a stand-alone cooktop, use a level to see if the cooktop is sitting evenly in the cabinet. If not, the cabinet itself may not be level. Contact your installer if necessary. Do not use warped pans. Only use pans with even bottoms. Increase the temperature setting if foods are cooking too slowly or reduce the setting if they are cooking too quickly or burning.
  
  

Ceramic Cooktop Scratches

• Ceramic cooktops scratch very easily, so, for best results, avoid dragging your pans across the cooktop's surface and clean food spills as soon as they happen. If you do see specks or streaks on your cooktop, clean it with a razor scraper. Avoid using abrasive cleaners on these cooktops. Be aware that small scratches on the cooktop are normal; as you use the stove, they will diminish over time.