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Fix an induction cooktop that will not detect pan

We'll confirm the symptom, rule out cookware compatibility and placement, then isolate the cause—pan size, flat bottom, sensor fault—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Refrigerator magnet (to test cookware compatibility)
  • Damp cloth (to clean the cooktop surface)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out cookware compatibility and placement, then isolate the detection fault.

  • Turn on the induction cooktop and place a pan on a cooking zone. Confirm the display and controls respond.
  • Good: The cooktop shows “no pan” or will not heat—detection fault. Proceed to Check power.
  • Bad: The cooktop does not power on at all—different problem (power, breaker). See When to get help.

Check power

Goal: Rule out power loss before testing cookware.

  • Verify the cooktop is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Induction cooktops use 240 volts; both legs must be on. Reset the breaker if tripped and retest.
  • Good: Power is on and the display responds. Proceed to Check cookware compatibility.
  • Bad: Breaker keeps tripping—call a pro.

Check cookware compatibility

Goal: Confirm the pan is induction-compatible.

  • Hold a refrigerator magnet to the bottom of the pan. If the magnet sticks firmly, the pan is induction-compatible. If it does not stick or sticks weakly, the pan will not work—use cast iron, magnetic stainless steel, or enameled cast iron.
  • Check the pan bottom is flat. Warped or domed bottoms reduce contact and prevent detection. Place the pan on a flat surface and check for rocking.
  • Good: Magnet sticks firmly and the bottom is flat. Proceed to Check placement and size.
  • Bad: Pan is not compatible—use different cookware.

Check placement and size

Goal: Confirm the pan is the right size and centered on the cooking zone.

  • Most induction zones require pans at least 3½ inches in diameter; pans over 13 inches may also fail. Center the pan within the zone outline. Off-center placement or pans overlapping multiple zones can prevent detection.
  • Remove other cookware from the surface if you have many items—some cooktops limit how many pans they detect at once.
  • Wipe the cooktop with a damp cloth when cool. Residue or moisture between the pan and the glass can interfere with detection. Dry the surface before placing the pan.
  • Good: Pan is correct size, centered, and the surface is clean. Power cycle: turn off at the breaker for 30 seconds, restore power, retest. If still no detection, try another zone.
  • Bad: Pan wrong size or warped—use a different pan.

When to get help

Call an appliance technician if:

  • The cooktop does not power on at all (see fix-stove-will-not-turn-on for power issues).
  • You have confirmed compatible cookware (magnet test passes), correct size and placement, a clean surface, and a power cycle—and the cooktop still does not detect the pan. The sensor or control board may have failed.

Do not open the cooktop yourself—high voltage and electronics require a professional.

Verification

  • The cooktop detects the pan and the zone heats when compatible cookware is centered on the cooking zone.
  • No “no pan” or undetected message when using magnetic, flat-bottomed pans of correct size.
  • Magnet test passes for the cookware in use.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the cooktop powers on but shows no pan or will not heat.
  2. Power Check circuit breaker and that the cooktop has power.
  3. Cookware compatibility Test with a magnet; confirm flat bottom and correct size.
  4. Placement and cleaning Center the pan, clean the surface, power cycle.
  5. Call a pro Compatible cookware still not detected—sensor or control board fault; call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Cookware type (magnet test result)
  • Pan size and flat-bottom check
  • Which cooking zone(s) were tested
  • Steps already tried

Does the cooktop power on but show "no pan" or will not heat?

Turn on the cooktop and place a pan on a zone. If the display shows no pan or the zone does not heat, the detection system has failed.

Turn on the induction cooktop and place a pan on a cooking zone. Confirm the display and controls respond. Good: display shows "no pan" or will not heat—detection fault. Bad: cooktop does not power on at all—different problem (power, breaker); see fix-stove-will-not-turn-on.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is power on and the circuit breaker not tripped?

Induction cooktops use 240 volts. Both legs of the circuit must be on.

Verify the cooktop is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Reset the breaker if tripped and retest. Good: power on, display responds. Bad: breaker keeps tripping—call a pro.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does a magnet stick firmly to the pan bottom?

Induction requires magnetic (ferrous) cookware. Aluminum, copper, and glass without a magnetic layer will not work.

Hold a refrigerator magnet to the bottom of the pan. Sticks firmly: pan is induction-compatible—proceed to placement. Does not stick: pan is not compatible—use cast iron, magnetic stainless steel, or enameled cast iron.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Use induction-compatible cookware

Your pan is not ferrous. Use cast iron, magnetic stainless steel, or enameled cast iron. Test with a magnet before buying—it must stick firmly. Retest on the cooktop.

Done

Is the pan flat-bottomed, correct size (3½–13 in), and centered?

Warped bottoms, pans too small or too large, and off-center placement prevent detection.

Check the pan: flat bottom (no rocking on a flat surface), diameter 3½–13 inches, centered on the cooking zone. Clean the cooktop surface. Good: all correct—power cycle and retest. Bad: pan wrong size or warped—use a different pan.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix placement and retest

Use a pan with a flat bottom and diameter 3½–13 inches. Center it on the cooking zone. Clean and dry the cooktop surface. Remove extra cookware if many items are on the surface. Retest.

Done

Power cycle and retest

Turn off the cooktop at the circuit breaker for 30 seconds. Restore power. Retest with compatible cookware centered on the zone. If still no detection, try another zone. If no zone detects the pan, call a technician—sensor or control board may have failed.

Done

Call a technician

If the cooktop does not power on, see fix-stove-will-not-turn-on. If compatible cookware (magnet test passes), correct size and placement, and a power cycle still do not fix detection, call an appliance technician. The sensor or control board may have failed. Do not open the cooktop yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would an induction cooktop not detect my pan?
Induction cooktops require magnetic (ferrous) cookware. Aluminum, copper, and glass pans without a magnetic layer will not work. Pans that are too small (under 3½ inches), too large (over 13 inches), or have warped bottoms also fail detection. The pan must be centered on the cooking zone.
How do I know if my pan works on induction?
Hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, the pan is induction-compatible. If it does not stick or sticks weakly, the pan will not work on induction.
When should I call a technician for an induction cooktop that will not detect a pan?
Call an appliance technician if you have confirmed compatible cookware (magnet test passes), correct size and placement, and a power cycle—and the cooktop still does not detect the pan. The sensor or control board may have failed.

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