Why does my gas cooktop keep clicking after the burner lights?

Continuous clicking usually means moisture or a spill has reached the igniter switches under the knobs, or a switch has worn out. Sometimes a burner cap that isn't seated properly causes it. If the clicking continues after the area has fully dried, a technician should test the switches and spark module.

Does Sub-Zero make cooktops?

Sub-Zero builds refrigeration. Its cooking appliances, including gas, electric, and induction cooktops, are sold under the Wolf name. We repair Wolf cooktops along with Viking and Thermador models.

Can you fix a cracked glass cooktop?

A cracked glass or ceramic surface can't be patched. It has to be replaced if the part is still available for your model. Stop using the cooktop once it's cracked, especially an electric or induction unit, until it has been inspected.

Why won't my induction cooktop recognize my pan?

First, check that the pan is magnetic and that its base is flat and covers enough of the zone. If a compatible pan still isn't detected, or the cooktop shows an error code, the problem may be a coil, power board, or control board.

How do I find my cooktop's model number?

Look on the underside of the cooktop, which you can often see from the cabinet below, or on a tag near the burner box. The owner's manual or original paperwork may also list it. Sharing it when you book helps us prepare for the visit.

Should I replace my cooktop instead of repairing it?

Usually not. Most failed parts on high-end cooktops can be replaced, and a new unit may not fit your existing cutout or hookups. Replacement makes more sense when key parts are discontinued, several major components have failed, or you're remodeling anyway.

Cooktop Repair | Sub-Zero

The short answer

Most cooktop problems, such as burners that won't ignite, constant clicking, weak flames, or induction error codes, come down to a specific part that can be tested and replaced. On a built-in Viking, Wolf, or Thermador cooktop, repair is usually more practical than replacement, because a new unit often has to fit the existing countertop cutout and gas or electrical hookup.

A cooktop that won't light, clicks nonstop, or heats unevenly can throw off every meal. Sub-Zero Repair Specialists repairs high-end gas, electric, and induction cooktops for homeowners in Carson and the surrounding South Bay and Los Angeles area. Our work starts with Sub-Zero kitchens, and Sub-Zero's cooking line is sold under the Wolf name, so many of the cooktops we see sit a few feet from a Sub-Zero refrigerator. We also service Viking and Thermador cooktops and rangetops. We are an independent repair company, not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these brands. This page covers the problems we fix, what our technician checks, how the brands differ, and how a visit works.

Issues we fix

These are the symptoms homeowners describe most often. If you smell gas, turn the burners off, don't operate switches or flames, leave the house, and call your gas utility before scheduling any repair.

Burners that won't ignite, or that light only after several tries
Igniters that keep clicking after the burner has lit, or click when the knob is off
Flames that are weak, yellow, lifting off the burner, or uneven around the ring
Burners that go out on low or won't hold a steady simmer
Uneven heat or hot spots on electric radiant elements
Electric elements that stay on high or won't heat at all
Induction zones that don't recognize the pan, shut off mid-cook, or show error codes
Touch controls that don't respond, beep, or lock up
Cracked or chipped glass or ceramic cooktop surfaces
Knobs that spin loosely or valves that feel stiff

Technician testing the control board of a built-in refrigerator

What our technician checks on a built-in or professional-style cooktop

On a gas cooktop or rangetop, we start with the ignition system: the igniters themselves, the spark module that powers them, and the switches behind each knob. A spark module that fires continuously often points to moisture or a failing switch, not the module. We inspect burner heads and caps for clogged ports and misalignment, check the gas valves, and look at the flame to see whether it burns clean and even. Burners that won't hold a low simmer can trace back to a dirty orifice or a worn valve.

On electric radiant cooktops, we test the elements, infinite switches or electronic controls, limiters, and wiring connections for continuity and correct voltage. On induction models, we check the power boards, induction coils, cooling fan, and touch control board, and we read any stored error codes. Induction cooktops need airflow underneath, so we also look at how the unit is vented within the cabinet. We confirm the cooktop's power supply or gas supply is correct before replacing anything.

How Wolf, Viking, and Thermador cooktops differ

Sub-Zero doesn't build cooktops itself; its cooking appliances carry the Wolf name. Wolf gas cooktops use dual-stacked sealed burners, which have an upper and lower flame for high heat and a gentle simmer. When these act up, the cause is often a burner part that's out of place after cleaning, clogged ports, or an igniter or switch issue. Wolf also makes electric and induction models, where control boards and element or coil faults come up.

Viking cooktops and rangetops are built in a professional style, and we commonly trace problems to igniters, spark modules, and the switches that tell the module when to fire. Spills that seep under the knobs can cause constant clicking. Thermador gas cooktops use the star-shaped Star Burner, which spreads the flame over a wider area. Because the burner has more edge and more ports, debris and misaligned caps can cause uneven flames, and simmer performance depends on clean, well-seated parts. Thermador induction models bring their own control and power-board faults.

Across all three brands, we use parts matched to the model and serial number, because parts often change between production runs.

Tell us what your appliance is doing.

Call (213) 329-5736 Request Service

Repair or replace a high-end cooktop?

For most premium cooktops, repair makes sense. Igniters, switches, spark modules, valves, elements, and control boards are replaceable, and the unit is otherwise built to last. Replacing a built-in cooktop is rarely just a swap. A new model may not match the old countertop cutout, may need a different gas connection or electrical circuit, and may not sit flush with the surrounding stone.

Replacement is worth considering when a glass or ceramic top is badly cracked and the part is unavailable, when a needed part has been discontinued, when several major components have failed at once, or when you're already planning to remodel. If you're weighing a switch from gas to induction, we can explain what the change involves, but we'll give you an honest repair assessment first.

What affects the cost of cooktop repair

We don't quote a price until we've diagnosed the problem, because the cost depends on what's actually wrong. A burner that needs cleaning and realignment is a very different job from a failed induction power board. The main factors are the fault itself, the part needed and its availability, and how easily we can reach the components.

Access matters more on built-in units. Some cooktops lift out from above, while others require working from underneath inside custom cabinetry, around drawers, or near downdraft vents. Professional-style rangetops with heavy grates and a large footprint can take more time to open and reassemble. We'll explain the diagnosis and the repair cost before any work begins, and you decide whether to go ahead.

How a cooktop repair visit works

When you contact us, tell us the brand, the model number if you can find it, and what the cooktop is doing. The model and serial tag is often under the cooktop, on the underside of the burner box, or listed in the owner's manual. That helps our technician arrive with the right tools and a sense of the likely parts.

At the visit, the technician confirms the symptom, tests the components involved, and explains what failed and why. If the part is on hand, many repairs are finished the same visit. If it needs to be ordered, we schedule a return trip once it arrives. Before leaving, we test every burner or zone we worked on and check that the cooktop is operating safely. We serve Carson and nearby cities across the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area.