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Kenmore Range Burner Is Not Working

Kenmore (Sears’ brand for its appliance line) sells a number of electric and gas ranges -- cooktop and oven combination appliances. The burners in the cooktop are vitally important to a large portion of a range’s function, so a malfunctioning one can make finishing a meal difficult. There are various reasons your Kenmore range burner isn’t working, but you could possibly solve the problem by following some quick troubleshooting checks.
  1. Control Problems

    • The first place to start when your Kenmore range’s burner isn’t working is with the control knobs to rule out user error. For example, some gas ranges have a safety feature that requires you to push the knob in before the burner will light. Since the controls differ by appliance model, check your user manual for specific control instructions or contact your appliance’s manufacturer if you don’t have the user manual.

    Gas Problems

    • If your Kenmore range is a gas unit, gas not getting to the unit may be the reason your burner isn’t working. Verify that the gas service is working in your home, and check that your range has a clear line to the gas valve. Check the burner vents for blockages, too, because they prevent gas from flowing to the burner and being ignited.

    Electricity Problems

    • Whether your range is electric or gas, electricity problems may be the culprit. In electric units, no electricity can mean that the burner won’t heat because of no power. In gas units, the ignitor is electric and no electricity will prevent the burner from setting the gas on fire to power the burner. Once you’ve verified that you’re not experiencing an electrical outage, check that the unit is plugged into a working electrical outlet and that the associated breaker hasn’t been tripped.

    Service

    • If these basic troubleshooting tactics don’t get your Kenmore range burner working again, you may have a mechanical failure. This could mean anything from a wiring problem to a faulty ignitor. If you have the service manual, you might be able to repair or replace many of these problems yourself. However, remember that any warranty you have on the machine will be voided if you allow anyone who isn’t a certified Kenmore repair technician to work on it. If you need replacement parts, your service manual or to set up a service call, contact Kenmore customer service at 1-888-396-5295.