Why does my gas burner keep clicking after it lights?

Usually moisture or debris near the igniter, a misaligned burner cap, or a failing knob switch or spark module. Let the burner dry completely after cleaning. If clicking continues, a technician can test the switch and module.

My Thermador burner turns on and off on low. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Some Thermador burners cycle the flame on purpose at their lowest setting to hold a gentle simmer. We check whether the behavior matches the design before recommending any repair.

Can a cracked glass cooktop be repaired?

A crack can't be patched safely. The glass-ceramic top has to be replaced. Whether that's worthwhile depends on the age of the unit and whether the replacement surface is still available.

Do you repair induction cooktops?

Yes. We diagnose induction problems such as pan detection failures, zones cutting out, and error codes by testing sensors, fans, and power and control boards.

Do you work on Sub-Zero appliances too?

Yes. We service Sub-Zero refrigeration as well as Viking, Wolf, and Thermador cooking appliances, so we can look at more than one appliance in the same visit.

Which areas do you serve?

We're based in Reseda and serve nearby San Fernando Valley communities, including Tarzana, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys, Canoga Park, and Winnetka.

Cooktop Repair | Viking Appliance

The short answer

Most cooktop problems, including burners that won't ignite, constant clicking, weak flames, uneven heat, and induction error codes, come from a specific part that can be tested and replaced without removing the unit. A technician checks ignition, gas flow or heating elements, and the control electronics on site, then gives you a clear repair-or-replace recommendation before any work begins.

A cooktop that clicks without lighting, holds a simmer one day and scorches the next, or shows an error on its glass is hard to work around. Viking Appliance Services repairs gas, electric, and induction cooktops for homeowners in Reseda and nearby communities such as Tarzana, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys, Canoga Park, and Winnetka. We focus on premium built-in and professional-style equipment, including Viking, Wolf, and Thermador cooktops, and we work in a lot of kitchens where those sit alongside Sub-Zero refrigeration. We are an independent repair company, not affiliated with any manufacturer. Our goal on every visit is to find the actual cause, explain it plainly, and help you decide whether a repair makes sense.

Issues we fix

These are the cooktop symptoms homeowners describe most often. If you notice one of them, it helps to write down when it happens, which burner or zone is involved, and any code on the display before the visit.

Safety note: if you smell gas, don't try to light the burners or flip switches. Leave the house and contact your gas utility from outside. Call for repair once the utility has made the area safe.

Gas burners that won't ignite, or light only after many clicks
Igniters that keep clicking after the burner has lit, or with the knob 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
Electric elements or radiant zones that don't heat or only heat partway
Induction zones that won't recognize a pan, cut out, or show error codes
Touch controls that are unresponsive, beep repeatedly, or lock up
Hot surface indicators that stay on or never come on
Uneven heat that causes scorching in one spot
Cracked or damaged glass-ceramic surfaces

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 we start with the simple causes. Burner caps that sit slightly off-center, ports clogged by boil-overs, and moisture from cleaning cause many ignition and flame problems. From there we test the spark igniters, the spark module that powers them, and the switches behind each knob that tell the module when to fire. If a burner lights but won't stay lit, or the flame looks wrong, we look at the gas valves, orifices, and supply pressure, and confirm the unit is set up for the correct fuel type.

On electric and induction models the focus shifts to power and electronics. We check the incoming supply at the junction box, test heating elements and limiters for continuity, and inspect wiring that may have loosened or overheated. Induction cooktops depend on power boards, generator boards, cooling fans, and temperature sensors, so we read any stored fault codes and test those components rather than guessing from the code alone.

Built-in units also bring cabinetry into the picture. Many diagnoses can be done from the top once the grates and cooktop surface are lifted, but some need access from below through the cabinet. We check clearances and ventilation around the unit, since trapped heat can shorten the life of electronics.

How Viking, Wolf, Thermador, and Sub-Zero kitchens differ

Viking gas cooktops and rangetops use sealed burners with spark ignition, so we commonly trace complaints to igniters, spark modules, and knob switches. Because these are high-output burners, spills that bake onto burner bases and ports can affect flame quality. Viking induction models bring the usual concerns with control and power electronics.

Wolf gas cooktops use dual-stacked sealed burners designed for both high heat and very low simmer, along with automatic re-ignition. When the simmer is unstable or a burner keeps re-sparking, the cause is often in the burner assembly, the ignition system, or the valve. Wolf also makes electric and induction cooktops, where touch controls and power boards are the usual places to look.

Thermador gas cooktops are known for their star-shaped burners and a low-simmer feature that cycles the flame on and off. Owners sometimes mistake that normal cycling for a fault, so we confirm whether the behavior is by design before replacing anything. On Thermador induction units, including those with flexible cooking zones, sensors and electronic boards get most of the attention.

Sub-Zero makes refrigeration rather than cooktops, but it belongs to the same company as Wolf, and many local kitchens pair the two. If your Sub-Zero is acting up too, we can look at both appliances during the same visit.

Tell us what your appliance is doing.

Call (712) 333-1469 Request Service

Repair or replace a high-end cooktop

For most premium cooktops, repair is the practical choice. These units are built around replaceable parts like igniters, valves, elements, and control boards, and a replacement often means new cutouts, gas or electrical changes, and possible changes to countertops or cabinetry. Fixing the existing unit avoids that disruption.

Replacement deserves a serious look when the cooktop is older and parts are discontinued, when several major components are failing together, when cracked glass on a smooth-top unit is paired with failing electronics, or when you already plan to remodel or switch from gas to induction. We tell you which situation you're in and let you make the decision.

What affects the cost of cooktop repair

We don't quote prices before seeing the unit, because the cost depends on the actual problem. Cleaning and resetting a burner is very different from replacing an induction power board. After diagnosis we explain the cost before starting any repair.

The fault itself: a cleaning or adjustment versus a tested part replacement
Parts: availability, whether the part is model-specific, and whether more than one component has failed
Fuel and technology: gas, radiant electric, and induction systems use different parts
Access: custom cabinetry, tight cutouts, or a downdraft vent can add labor time
Glass surfaces: a cracked top requires a full replacement surface

How a visit works

When you contact us, we ask for the brand, model number if you have it, whether the cooktop is gas, electric, or induction, and what you're seeing. That helps the technician arrive prepared. Before the appointment, clear the cooktop and the cabinet below if access might be needed.

On site, the technician confirms the symptom, runs tests, and explains what's wrong and what the fix involves. If the part is on hand, many repairs are finished on the same visit. If a part has to be ordered, we schedule a return trip to install it, then test every burner or zone before we leave.