A kettle is essential in any kitchen. From tea rounds to quick pasta and rice cooking, a kettle will provide you with unlimited boiling hot water while also looking the part on your kitchen counter.
Is a broken kettle preventing you from having yours?
If your kettle won’t heat up or turn on, I’m confident that the five tips in this article will help you get it working again
My Electric Kettle Won’t Heat Up or Turn On (With Solutions)
Most electric kettles are typically reliable appliances, if look after the should last many years.
However, likely any appliance they do occasionally break down
The most common reason for an electric kettle not working is that it is not plugged into a working outlet, the lid does not close properly, or the heating element is broken.
Step 1. Check the Lid
Because of the greater potential of damage while using electric kettles, most manufacturers include additional safety and security features in their kettles.
For example, if the lid is not correctly closed, the electric kettle will not turn on.
So, your first action should be to inspect the lid and ensure that it is properly secured.
There’s a little lock and a sensor attached to the kettle, which must work properly before it starts. In other words, secure the lid and wait for the kettle to start working.
Keep in mind, however, that this is not a standard function in all electric kettles.
You might have a kettle that doesn’t need to be closed before it starts working. It is mostly determined by the make and model of the kettle.
If you’ve checked the lid and the kettle still isn’t working, proceed to the next step of checking the outlet.
Step 2. Check the Outlet
The most obvious reason your Kettle won’t on or heat up is that it isn’t plugged in.
Before looking into other problems, make sure your unit is properly plugged in and that its outlet is not damaged.
To test the outlet, use a multimeter or try using another small appliance, such as a lamp or blow dryer.
If these tests fail, you should contact an electrician to repair the outlet.
If your outlet is working but your kettle isn’t, the problem is to move on to the new step
Step 3. Check the Cord
If you find the outlet to be working the next step is to examine the cord, to see whether it might be broken or worn out.
What damage warning signs should you be on the lookout for?
Here are a few red flags to look out for:
- Fraying
- Bite marks
- Cracked
If the cord shows no signs of being damaged, move on to the next step.
Step 4. Clean the Contacts
Have you tried the solutions in this article, but your kettle still won’t turn on? Then you could be dealing with clogged or dirty contacts.
The contact between the kettle and the “heating platform” may be the cause of your electric kettle not working.
When the kettle is full of water, the weight of the connection appears to help it work better.
However, it frequently switches on and off, and the kettle must be repositioned to work.
Remove the kettle from the outlet.
Wipe only the outside of the kettle and the contact base with a soapy sponge (no harsh chemicals).
Clean, but also inspect for dirt or grime.
After completing this step, allow the kettle to dry completely before turning it on.
Make certain that no water enters the kettle’s electric junction.
If you’ve tried this step and your kettle still doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.
Step 5. Do Not Dry-Boil the Kettle
Dry boiling the kettle regularly will damage its internal heating elements.
This could lead to a malfunction. You can avoid this by always leaving enough water in the kettle when you use it.
Some kettles include a safety feature known as dry-boil protection.
When you try to turn on your kettle with insufficient or no water inside, this feature will turn it off.
This feature prevents you from damaging the kettle’s heating elements by turning it on without filling it.
To reset dry boil protection, turn off your kettle you have to lift the kettle from its base and fill it with cold water.
When you place the kettle back on the base, the dry-boil protection is reset, and you can switch the kettle on again.
Step 6. Descale the Kettle
Limescale (insoluble calcium carbonate) will begin to form inside the kettle over time. It can corrode your kettle over time, reducing its lifespan, so we’re here to teach you how to descale a kettle.
It forms in kettles when water is heated or left standing and is slightly off-white in color.
In short, limescale is unavoidable in hard water areas. While there is no way to completely prevent limescale build-up, there are steps you can take to slow its formation.
While it is not harmful to consume, limescale is unpleasant. It can impart a slightly metallic flavor to water and appear as flakes in drinks. Nobody wants to be picking at their tea or coffee.
We recommend descaling your kettle every few months, or more frequently if you notice significant build-up that is affecting the performance of your kettle.
The methods outlined below can be used for everything from routine maintenance to large, thorough cleanings.
Method using bicarbonate of soda and water:
- Fill the kettle 3/4 full of water and add a heaping tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda.
- Allow the kettle to sit for an hour after it has been brought to a boil.
- Remove the water and rinse
- Fill the kettle with water again and bring it to a boil to remove any remaining bicarbonate of soda flavor.
Method using distilled white vinegar and water:
- Half-fill your kettle with white vinegar and half with water.
- Get the kettle going.
- Remove all of the water.
- Fill your kettle with water and bring it back to a boil to remove any remaining vinegar.This step should be repeated as needed.
The methods above are non-toxic and cheap and cheerful to perform.
If the limescale is still present, you can repeat the process or purchase more heavy-duty toxic cleaner to clear the limescale
My Electric Kettle Still does not Work
So, you’ve tried everything above and your kettle still doesn’t work.
There is likely a problem with the internal wiring or an internal component failure.
You could try to repair the kettle yourself by purchasing spare cords and components, but this will almost certainly cost the same as purchasing a new replacement kettle.
Aside from that, simply opening the kettle requires a special three-tongue screwdriver and a specific technique to avoid damaging the plastic parts.
How to look after your Electric Kettle
In addition to cleaning your kettle regularly, we recommend keeping it dry when not in use.
You can accomplish this by only boiling the amount of water required, ensuring that no water remains in the kettle.
If your kettle has a flip lid, leave it open after use to allow any residual water to evaporate.
Conclusion
While it is unfortunate that your electric kettle is no longer operational and requires replacement, the good news is that there are a variety of kettles available at a variety of prices, ranging from low to high-end appliances.
